SPELLING CURRICULUM

At St. Mary's, we want every child to become a confident and accurate speller. Good spelling helps children to write clearly and express their ideas well, both in English lessons and across all subjects. To support this, we follow Ready Steady Spell, an award-recognised programme from Literacy Counts. It provides a clear, structured approach that helps children learn spelling patterns, rules and vocabulary in a way that makes sense and builds on what they already know.

How We Teach Spelling

Children learn spelling in short, regular lessons each week. These lessons include:

  • learning new spelling patterns and rules;

  • practising strategies such as breaking words into syllables or learning root words;

  • revisiting and reviewing previous learning to help move spelling into long-term memory;

  • applying spelling in sentences and short pieces of writing.

This means children have many chances to practise and use their spelling knowledge in meaningful ways.

A Clear Pathway from Year 2 to Year 6

Ready Steady Spell provides a step-by-step progression from Year 2 to Year 6, building on the phonics skills children learn through Read Write Inc.
Each year builds on the last, so children continually revisit and strengthen the knowledge they need to become confident writers. The programme helps children understand:

  • spelling rules and patterns;

  • how words are built (morphology);

  • where words come from (etymology);

  • how to apply spellings in real writing.

This structured approach ensures that spelling learning is secure and long-lasting.

Checking Progress

Teachers check children’s spelling progress regularly through:

  • short review quizzes;

  • classwork and independent writing;

  • discussions about spelling strategies;

  • termly spelling assessments.

This helps us identify strengths and any areas where a child may need a little extra practice.

Support for Children Who Need Extra Help

Some children need more time to develop confidence with spelling.
We provide additional small-group support through Ready Steady Spell: Go, which offers targeted sessions to help pupils consolidate key spelling knowledge. Activities are practical, supportive and matched to each child’s needs so they can make quick and secure progress.

We also adapt our teaching for pupils with SEND, ensuring that every child receives the right level of support.

What This Means for Your Child

By the time children leave Year 6, they will have:

  • a strong understanding of spelling patterns and rules;

  • a growing awareness of how words are formed and connected;

  • strategies they can use independently when they are unsure of a spelling;

  • increasing confidence in writing across all subjects.

Our aim is for every child to feel capable, confident and proud of their written work.

Further Information and Key Documents

St. Mary's English Spelling Policy

Y2 Progression      Y3 Progression     Y4 Progression     Y5 Progression     Y6 Progression       

How to Support Your Child at Home 

For further information about our spelling curriculum, please contact our English Lead, Ms Hawtin, via our school email address info@st-marys-cadishead.salford.sch.uk 

English Leader: Ms Katie Hawtin
Last reviewed: November 2025
Next review: September 2026