At Sleights, we have a robust approach to the teaching of spelling. Building on the successes of our phonics programmes across Early Years and Year 1, children gain a secure understanding of spelling patterns, rules and approaches.
Children are taught spelling patterns or rules across a series of sessions. These sessions begin by introducing and exploring the rule or spelling pattern, before investigating and exploring patterns using games and activities. Children complete a review of the spelling pattern each week.
Our full spelling policy can be found here: Spelling policy and procedure – September 2025
The following approaches support us in delivering the spelling curriculum to our children.
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| Little Wandle Phonics Programme is used across Early Years and Year 1 | Children progress to the Little Wandle Spelling Programme in Year 2 | From Year 3, children use the Spelling Shed programme to develop spelling skills |
Statement of Spelling Intent
The children at Sleights will be provided with a spelling curriculum offer designed to:
- Make the partnership between ‘phonics’ teaching and ‘spelling strategies’ explicitly clear.
- Systematically build up children’s understanding and knowledge of the relationship between letters and sounds.
- Enthuse and engage children to explore spelling strategies through practical and hands on taught sessions.
- Teach the children to make links between alternative pronunciation and spelling, so that they can make informed opinions on spelling choices.
- Equip children with a range of skills and approaches to tackle the spelling of unfamiliar words.
- Give children the confidence to communicate and use words.
Statement of Spelling Implementation
The spelling curriculum at Sleights will be implemented across:
- Daily phonic sessions across the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. Sessions will include opportunities to revisit and review, teach, practise and apply. This work is delivered through the Little Wandle Phonics Programme (EYFS and Year 1).
- In Year 2, children will use the Little Wandle Spelling Programme. This is delivered across a series of units. They begin by reviewing sounds taught in Year 1, before building a bridge to spelling patterns. From spring, children complete spelling units linked directly to content from the Year 2 National Curriculum.
- In Key Stage Two, well planned and highly focused spelling sessions, focused on a unit of spelling strategies across a week. This work is delivered through the Spelling Shed. Children complete weekly lessons, focused on different spelling patterns and rules.
Statement of Spelling Impact
The impact of our spelling curriculum will be measured through:
- Pupil voice/confidence
- Fortnightly spelling assessment tracking
- Termly assessment scores
- Feedback from children’s work across the curriculum
- External assessments (SATs and Phonics Screening Check in Year 1)
- Within children’s writing across the curriculum.
