English – Spelling

To complement our approach to Reading and Writing using CUSP, we have also adopted the CUSP spelling curriculum. Just like the Reading and Writing curriculums, this is systematic, progressive and driven by recent research in the area. CUSP spelling does not rely on children remembering huge amounts of information, nor does it come with any gimmicks, it is based around teaching children spelling concepts so they understand why words are spelt the way they are. Children will systematically revisit previously taught concepts, providing them with an opportunity to consolidate past knowledge whilst embedding new. It believes that spelling and word meaning are intrinsically linked and so zooms into the composition of words, highlighting to children the etymology of words so they can make sense of them and group common spellings.

At Penshurst, to ensure that we continue to commit to the fidelity of our Phonics Programme whilst using this ambitious spelling curriculum, we have explicitly set out the links between the two. This ensures that our teachers are always referencing our Phonics Programme, all the way through the school, through CUSP spelling.

In Reception children focus on spelling through daily phonics teaching, following our Phonics Programme. This is the same for Year 1, up to the Easter holidays, when they will then move onto CUSP spelling 3 times a week, continuing with our Phonics Programme on the other two. Year 2 follows the same timetable, meaning they have explicit spelling teaching, backed up by our Phonics Programme, whilst also receiving some focused phonics sessions targeted specifically to their identified areas of need. In Key Stage 2, children will have CUSP spelling sessions 3 times a week.

Here is a link to CUSP for more information:

• Spelling Long Term Plan Cycle A + B
• Spelling Policy

PDF Downloads