Spelling Bee by Hootwood

Primary school spelling words, Years 1 to 6

The National Curriculum in England sets out the words every child should learn to spell at primary school. Here they are by year, each with what it means, an example sentence, and a button to hear it said.

What are common exception words and statutory words?

Common exception words (Years 1 and 2) are everyday words whose spelling doesn’t follow the usual sound patterns, such as “the”, “said” and “people”. Statutory words (Years 3 to 6) are two lists of harder words that children should be able to spell by the end of Year 4 and Year 6.

Alongside these, most schools send home a weekly spelling list that practises one spelling pattern at a time. Spelling Bee has those weekly lists too, so children can practise this week’s test as well.