Broomfields Junior School

At Broomfields Junior School we want the children to practise their spelling skills through a variety of ways. Exposure to different methods of learning spellings is important to nurture a life long skill. We use Spelling Shed to learn weekly spellings and practise them through games and competions.  There are a number of other sites that can support learning spellings. 

At Broomfields Junior School we aim to build on children’s prior spelling experiences and take a phonetic approach as spelling involves segmenting a whole word to identify the sounds in it.  We believe spelling is a skill that will help develop children into becoming life long communicators and will support them in writing across all areas of the curriculum. As spelling is an integral part of the writing assessment framework at KS2, it is important we provide children with regular spelling sessions and exposure to a variety of strategies to support them in their spelling journey through school. Reading and spelling should be taught alongside one another so that pupils can read back words they have spelt.

At Broomfields Junior School, we follow the statutory requirements set out in the National Curriculum for spelling as well as using Spelling Shed to support the teaching and learning.

Spelling lessons are daily, frequent and kept short as we believe that the 'little and often' approach is best for the children to retain the words in their long term memory. We teach the children a variety of strategies to help them to learn new words as we recognise that one way does not suit all.

Spelling homework linked to what the children have been taught in class is sent home each week and it is an expectation that children practise these. Tests are informal and guide and inform teacher assessment.

To further support children with their spelling during writing, word mats are available.  Key words are displayed on the working walls to encourage independence when spelling and promote the 'can do' attitude. For those children who find spelling difficult, carefully tailored interventions are delivered to ensure children are making the maximum amount of progress.

Primarily, the impact of our spelling teaching and learning can be seen in children’s attitudes to spelling lessons and their independent spelling work in class. Children enjoy being given opportunity to practise their spellings using a variety of different strategies and although spelling can be a difficulty for some children, ensuring they feel supported and well equipped with strategies to assist them is key in developing positive attitudes.

Monitoring of spelling lessons demonstrate consistency in approaches and pupils articulate well the different ways they can practise their spellings or are helped in the classroom.

As part of the year 6 SATs tests, children’s spelling knowledge is tested within the grammar and punctuation tests.

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