At Holywell Primary our vision is that every child is known, happy and learning. Spelling is an important part of our writing curriculum because it helps children communicate clearly and confidently. We teach children not simply to memorise spellings but to understand how spelling works so they can apply their knowledge independently.

The curriculum helps children build a secure understanding of phonics, patterns, rules, morphology and etymology. In the early stages children learn to spell through Read Write Inc Phonics by applying their knowledge of phoneme grapheme correspondence. As they move through school this is built upon through CUSP Spelling which provides a structured and ambitious approach to spelling.

Spelling is taught explicitly and regularly. Children revisit key ideas through frequent retrieval and apply their learning in writing across the curriculum. They learn to apply spelling patterns and rules, understand how words are constructed through prefixes, suffixes and root words, explore word origins and proofread their work with increasing independence. This approach reduces cognitive load and supports long term retention.

Spelling is fully inclusive and all children take part. Teaching is adapted where needed so every child can access learning in a meaningful way. Lessons are engaging and purposeful. Children practise new spellings, explore word families, investigate patterns and use their knowledge in real writing contexts.

Assessment is ongoing. Teachers use observation, discussion and children’s writing to understand how well they are developing their spelling knowledge and accuracy. This helps identify strengths, address gaps and guide future teaching.