At Wiggonby, spelling is really important.  From Year 1, children learn spellings each week that are tested in a weekly quiz.  All the spelling patterns and common exception words are taught, and for the younger children, all the spellings are aligned with that week’s phonics learning. Children have just five words to learn for the weekly quiz, so that every child is able to master the spellings and gain confidence.  All of our new initiatives are already making a difference to the weekly quiz scores, which are closely monitored.  We hope that by encouraging good spelling throughout the school, we can help children to become more confident in their writing at Year 6 level and beyond. 

Our younger children in classes 1 and 2 learn to spell using a variety of fun, multi-sensory activities, such as using play dough, shaving foam and sand. 

Children in classes 1 and 2 also have a spelling journal, which they use to learn their spellings in different ways, such as making up a poem, illustrating the word or writing the spellings in different ways. 

We also use ‘Spelling Shed’ to help children to practise their spellings using fun games. Children are taught to recognise misspellings, and to underline possible errors in their writing with a wiggly line.  During the editing process, they can then use word lists and dictionaries to correct mistakes.  All children from Year 1 to Year 6 have their own 'dictionary' book, in which they can write useful words that are difficult for them to spell.  This helps to make sure that children are not repeatedly practising misspellings.