At Withymoor Primary School, we use the No Nonsense Spelling programme to support children in becoming confident, accurate and independent spellers. The programme provides a clear and progressive approach to the teaching of spelling from Year 2 through to Year 6, building upon the phonics knowledge and foundations established through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

We recognise the importance of secure transcriptional skills in supporting children to become fluent writers. Through No Nonsense Spelling, pupils develop an understanding of spelling patterns, rules and conventions while also learning strategies to help them spell accurately and independently in their everyday writing.

Intent

At Withymoor, our intent is for all pupils to:

• Develop confidence and accuracy in spelling.
• Build upon their phonics knowledge and apply it within writing.
• Understand spelling rules, patterns and conventions.
• Become independent in selecting and applying spelling strategies.
• Develop strong transcriptional skills to support fluent writing.
• Use accurate spelling across all areas of the curriculum.

Implementation

No Nonsense Spelling is taught through engaging, interactive and investigative lessons that encourage children to explore words, patterns and rules. The programme follows a carefully sequenced progression to ensure children revisit and build upon prior learning over time.

Lessons include opportunities for pupils to:

• Investigate spelling patterns and rules.
• Practise and apply spelling strategies.
• Develop understanding of morphology and etymology.
• Learn statutory spelling words appropriate to their year group.
• Apply spelling knowledge across the curriculum and within independent writing.

Teachers provide regular opportunities for revision, rehearsal and application to ensure spelling knowledge becomes embedded in long-term memory. Spelling is taught alongside high expectations for handwriting, grammar and composition to support children in becoming fluent and effective writers.

Impact

The impact of our spelling curriculum is evident in the increasing accuracy, confidence and independence pupils demonstrate in their writing. Children develop a secure understanding of spelling conventions and are able to apply their knowledge effectively across a range of writing contexts.

As a result, pupils at Withymoor:

• Spell with increasing accuracy and confidence.
• Apply spelling patterns and rules independently.
• Develop strong transcriptional fluency.
• Use ambitious vocabulary appropriately.

Through No Nonsense Spelling, we aim to equip all pupils with the essential spelling skills needed to become successful lifelong writers and communicators.