Why Spelling Matters at Summerhill

At Summerhill Primary Academy, we know that strong spelling skills are essential for confident writing and effective communication. Our spelling curriculum ensures that children can spell accurately, understand patterns in words, and apply their knowledge across all areas of the curriculum.

We follow the CUSP Spelling Programme, a research-informed approach that is structured, systematic, and progressive. By developing pupils’ understanding of phonics, morphology and etymology, children gain the knowledge and strategies they need to spell with confidence and precision.

How We Teach Spelling

Spelling is taught explicitly and consistently across the school. Key features of our programme include:

• Systematic teaching of spelling rules and patterns, building on prior knowledge year on year
• Integration with reading and writing, ensuring that pupils can apply spelling in meaningful contexts
• Regular practice and retrieval, helping pupils to retain spelling knowledge and develop automaticity
• Focus on word families, roots and prefixes/suffixes, so pupils understand how words are formed and can tackle unfamiliar words
• Carefully sequenced lessons that progress from simple to more complex spelling patterns, supporting all learners to succeed

This structured approach ensures that pupils are supported at each stage, while being challenged to extend their spelling knowledge.

Building Strong Spellers

Spelling is taught alongside reading and writing so that children see the connections between letters, sounds and meaning. Pupils are encouraged to:

• apply spelling rules consistently in their writing
• explore patterns and relationships between words
• develop strategies for learning unfamiliar or tricky words
• take pride in the accuracy and presentation of their written work

By teaching spelling systematically and revisiting key rules, pupils consolidate their knowledge and gain confidence in using correct spelling across the curriculum.

The Impact on Our Pupils

Through the CUSP Spelling Programme, pupils at Summerhill Primary Academy become accurate, confident spellers who can transfer their skills into reading and writing. They gain the knowledge and strategies to tackle unfamiliar words and write with fluency and precision.

By the time they leave Summerhill Primary Academy, pupils are equipped with strong spelling skills that support their wider literacy development and prepare them for the challenges of secondary school and beyond.