C Curriculum Explorer
English·Spelling & Word Study·procedural

Spelling Word Lists (age 9+)

Spell words from the statutory word list for Years 5 and 6, including words with irregular or uncommon spelling patterns that must be learned individually

Suggested ages 9–10

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Learning journey

Your child is tackling challenging spelling patterns — distinguishing between confusing word pairs, understanding Latin and French word endings, and mastering silent letters and complex suffixes.

Evidence of understanding

  • Spell high-frequency words from the Y5-6 list accurately in dictated sentences, e.g. accommodate, committee, correspond, exaggerate, immediately, necessary
  • Use look-cover-write-check and mnemonic strategies to learn words with tricky patterns such as 'separate' (a rat in separate), 'rhythm' (rhythm helps your two hips move)
  • Identify and self-correct misspellings of statutory list words when proof-reading extended writing

Assessment prompt

Can Spelling Word Lists (age 9+) spell the challenging words on their school's Year 5 and 6 word list — like "accommodate," "conscience," or "prejudice" — from memory when writing?

Standards alignment

Eng_App1_Sp_Y56_12GB · uk-nc-2013

Word list – years 5 and 6

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2