Statutory spelling words (Years 3–6)

The National Curriculum has two lists of words that every pupil should be able to spell: one for Years 3 and 4 (⟦accident⟧, ⟦believe⟧, ⟦library⟧, ⟦separate⟧) and one for Years 5 and 6 (⟦necessary⟧, ⟦rhythm⟧, ⟦environment⟧, ⟦yacht⟧). They are words people often get wrong.

Key facts

• Say it as it is spelt: ⟦Feb-ru-ar-y⟧, ⟦lib-rar-y⟧, ⟦diff-er-ent⟧, ⟦en-vi-ron-ment⟧. Saying every part helps you write every part.
• Watch the double letters: ⟦address⟧, ⟦accommodate⟧, ⟦committee⟧, ⟦embarrass⟧, ⟦necessary⟧ (one ⟦c⟧, two ⟦s⟧).
• Find a word inside the word: there is ⟦a rat⟧ in ⟦separate⟧, ⟦finite⟧ in ⟦definite⟧, ⟦bus⟧ in ⟦business⟧, ⟦ledge⟧ in ⟦knowledge⟧.
• Remember silent letters and tricky sounds: ⟦island⟧, ⟦rhythm⟧, ⟦yacht⟧, ⟦guarantee⟧, ⟦conscience⟧, ⟦stomach⟧.
• Learn them a few at a time: look, say, cover, write, check. Then use them in a sentence of your own.

Worked examples