COWELL CLASS (YEAR 3)

Please click on the link below to download Cowell class spellings for Term 1:

Term 1 - Autumn 2026 - Cowell Spellings

COELHO CLASS (YEAR 3 AND 4)

This year we are teaching directly from the Year 3 and 4 statutory word. It includes a mix of high-frequency words and words with unusual or tricky spelling patterns that build on their earlier phonics knowledge.

We will be doing individual word practise 3x a week from this list.

When a child can spell these common yet tricky words automatically, it frees up their cognitive energy to focus on the more creative aspects of writing such as structuring sentences, choosing powerful vocabulary and developing their ideas.

The Year 3 and 4 list focuses on several key spelling rules and recognising these patterns can make learning feel much more manageable for your child.

• Adding Prefixes and Suffixes. Children explore how adding beginnings (prefixes like dis-, re-, mis-) and endings (suffixes like -ly, -ous, -ation) changes a word's meaning and spelling. For example, learning that un- often means ‘not’ helps them spell words like unable or unhappy.
• Homophones and Near-Homophones. These are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. The list includes many common examples that trip children up, such as accept/except, weather/whether, and heard/herd.
• Unusual Grapheme-Phoneme Correspondences. This is a technical term for letters (graphemes) that make unexpected sounds (phonemes). For example, learning that the ‘ch’ spelling can make a /k/ sound (as in scheme, chorus) or a /sh/ sound (as in chef, machine).
• Possessive Apostrophes with Plural Nouns. Children learn to use an apostrophe after a plural word to show possession, such as in "the girls' coats" or "the puppies' toys".
• Tricky Letter Strings. The list features words with difficult letter combinations that need to be learned by sight, such as the ‘ough’ in enough or the silent ‘b’ in doubt.

How can I help my child practise these spellings?

Short bursts of target practise can make a difference. Here are a few screen-free ideas to try at home:

• Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check. This classic method is effective as it engages multiple senses.
• Create mnemonics. Make up silly sentence to remember the tricky parts of words.
• Word hunts. Give your child a target word and have them hunt for it in their reading book or a magazine. This helps them see the word in context.
• Use magnetic letters or tiles. Jumbling the letters of a spelling word and having your child physically put them back in the correct order can be a great hands-on way to practise.
• Draw the word. Drawing a picture around a word can help cement its spelling and meaning.

The goal is steady improvement and growing confidence. Some words will click instantly, while others may take longer.

There is an optional practise booklet which can be downloaded below and used at home.

Coelho class spellings 2026-27

Optional practice booklet

PILKEY CLASS (YEAR 4)

To follow