At St Mary's spelling is taught regularly and consistently from Early Years to Year Six.  This follows the National Curriculum spelling overviews to ensure spelling objectives from the English Programme of Study are covered and then revisited again to ensure consolidation. 

At the very start of school, the pupils in Early Years and Year 1 begin their spelling journey by learning to spell common exception words correctly. Common exception words are words where the usual spelling rule doesn't apply. As children come across unfamiliar spelling and sound patterns in tricky words, their phonics knowledge won't always help them to sound out and read the word, such as the common exception words "done", "have", "by" and "there". Some of these exception words are used frequently, so children are introduced to common exception words in Year 1 and Year 2. However as we follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised programme for the teaching and learning of phonics in Key Stage 1 and Early Years, some of these words will be introduced to children in Reception.

Each year group has a list of common exception words which they are expected to learn to read and spell by the end of each year in primary school.

In line with the National Curriculum 2014, children in Year 1 onwards begin to learn how to apply spelling rules and patterns, including exceptions to those rules.  

We believe it is important that children learn to spell, therefore spelling is taught through our phonics programme and targetted spelling, punctuation and grammar sessions and reinforced in daily English lessons. Success and progress in spelling is celebrated through weekly spelling tests in KS2 and monitored through our Little Wandle phonics programme in Key Stage 1. In line with our behaviour policy, achievements are celebrated through our reward system.

During termly Pupil Progress Meetings, we discuss those children who are finding spelling more challenging, and ensure targeted support through appropriate interventions is in place to support these children to make the necessary progress.