The Literacy Advisor’s approach to teaching spelling provides schools with a structured, research-informed framework that supports teachers to deliver effective spelling instruction with confidence, consistency, and clarity.
What Is the Teaching Spelling Approach?
The Teaching Spelling approach supports pupils to develop a deeper understanding of spelling, rather than relying on memorisation alone.
Spelling is taught as part of a wider literacy journey, closely linked to phonics and reading. Pupils learn to recognise spelling patterns, understand the relationship between sounds and letters, and apply spelling knowledge accurately within their writing.
Teachers are supported with clear guidance on what to teach and how spelling fits within a coherent, whole-school literacy approach.
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Who Is This Approach For and Why Does It Work?
This approach is suitable for pupils across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, as well as older pupils who continue to find spelling difficult. It is particularly effective for schools seeking a more consistent and structured approach to spelling.
Teaching spelling in this way works because it is rooted in classroom practice and research. It helps pupils understand spelling, builds strong links between phonics, reading, and writing, and supports consistent teaching across classes and year groups. At the same time, it develops teacher confidence and subject knowledge.
How Teaching Spelling Works in Practice
Pupils explore spelling patterns, learn how sounds map to letters and letter groups, and develop an understanding of how word structure influences spelling. Lessons are practical and manageable, with a strong focus on applying spelling knowledge accurately in meaningful writing tasks.
The emphasis remains on clarity, accuracy, and long-term improvement.
Supporting Teachers and Schools
By strengthening teacher understanding, schools are better able to deliver spelling teaching that leads to lasting improvement for pupils.
Training and Support
Teaching Spelling can be supported through remote training, in-school training and support, and wider professional development through The Literacy Advisor.
This ensures schools receive the guidance and support needed to embed effective spelling practice.
How Teaching Spelling Fits with The Literacy Advisor
Our teaching team were eager and equipped to begin our Support for Spelling journey, following the training received and the resources that followed. The research-informed training ensured that the ‘why’ behind the programme was clear and the flexibility in the programme has made it easy to implement into classrooms. The training provided has empowered our teachers with a structured yet adaptable framework that builds on phonics instruction and emphasises pattern recognition, enabling our children to develop a deeper understanding of spelling rules and strategies. The resources, including the termly overviews and the words to explore have added immense value to the delivery.
We highly recommend Support for Spelling to any school seeking to enhance their English curriculum with a research driven and engaging approach to teaching spelling.
Ms Dickson, Deputy Headteacher
The Pinxton Village Academies
“A great resource that is easy to use to teach spelling across the school. We have seen an impact already in Year 6 after only one term with an increase of 15% on our spelling scores from the previous year.”
Mel Bentley, Year 6 teacher
The Pinxton Village Academies