AIMS
 To develop confidence in child’s own ability to spell
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To develop the ability to spell accurately
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To have a clear, well-defined system for finding the correct spelling
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To develop the ability to self-correct by identifying errors in own writing
OUR SCHOOL AIMS TO DO THIS BY:
 Developing a confident and resilient attitude to the spelling of unfamiliar words so that the creativity and passion required to write well is never unduly interrupted
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Providing pupils with a range of strategies that they can choose to use when faced with spelling an unfamiliar word
 Encouraging and supporting pupils’ efforts to improve their own spelling
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Allocating regular time to the teaching and learning of spelling
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Providing pupils with varied opportunities to address individual learning styles
 Regularly monitoring and assessing individual spelling ability to ensure rapid and consistent progress
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Emphasising the importance of spelling accurately in all areas of the curriculum and addressing this when necessary
KEY PRINCIPLES
Spellings will be taught in an English lesson once a week. This will be linked to the teaching of handwriting, which will take place in the same lesson. Pupils will complete an investigative activity to help them to learn their spellings. They will be encouraged to use dictionaries to find further examples of words which follow the rule for the week. They will be tested on the words from the previous week. Words will be tested in a random order and where possible, in context. Teachers will record the scores and set at least five new words for the following week.
Pupils working significantly below age expectation may be given different spellings matched to their individual ability. This will be decided by the class teacher and English leader.
There will be a ‘Word of the Day’ each day. This will be displayed on the board.
In spelling lessons, in their Learning book, even when using whiteboards, the pupils should use joined handwriting. This will help them to learn the spelling.

Throughout the week, time will be provided for the pupils to go through their own work and correct any words they have spelt incorrectly. They will look them up in a dictionary and record on their individual spelling card.
Each half term, the pupils will be tested on all of the words they have learnt. If they get them all correct, they will be awarded a spelling certificate in Celebration Assembly. Any words that are incorrect on this test will be sent home again as part of the weekly spellings.
Each day, time will be provided for pupils to choose how they will learn their spellings. They can be creative about how they choose to learn their spellings (use of colour, writing out lots of times, writing on each other’s backs, throwing a ball back and forth with a partner, making a mnemonic etc).
Misspelt words must be picked up in all curriculum areas (at the teacher’s discretion). The teacher can correct if appropriate or underline and add ‘sp’ to indicate that the child needs to correct the spelling. In either instance, the child should write the word out three times and record the word on their individual spelling card.
Teachers will provide a topic word bank for each topic that is displayed clearly on the wall and a copy should be available for pupils to have in front of them when completing work that may require them to use these words.
LEARNING AT HOME
Five words will be sent home each week. Pupils should practise these words and provide evidence of this in their homework book.
APPLICATION
Once a spelling has been learnt, tested and re-tested, it is expected that the spelling will be applied to all of a child’s writing. If it is not, the teacher will indicate this in line with the marking policy and the child will be expected to correct the word.
Spellings that are corrected in writing across the curriculum should be words the child has learnt but is not applying AND words containing phonemes they have been taught.
REWARDS
Pupils who spell all words correctly in their weekly test will receive a sticker or house point from their class teacher.
Pupils who spell all words correctly in their half-termly test will receive a spelling certificate which will be presented to them in Celebration assembly.