Spiral Step Learning
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New for spring 2027:
Revisit. Retrieve. Retain.
Spiral Step Spelling
Spiral Step Spelling is a complete Year 1–6, vocabulary-rich, oracy-based spelling curriculum built around the power of spiral learning. (This is due to be completed spring 2027.)
Our curriculum intentionally revisits, retrieves and builds upon prior learning, ensuring all pupils retain knowledge throughout their primary school journey.
By connecting new knowledge to what pupils already know, Spiral Step Spelling helps them develop as speakers, spellers and writers, so that they know more, remember more and are able to do more.
Get a glimpse of what Spiral Step Spelling looks like for your pupils below.
How Is Spiral Step Spelling Different?
While Spiral Step Spelling is fully aligned to the national curriculum, we extend learning by focusing on the meaningful connections that deepen core knowledge and skills.
We focus on helping all pupils develop a lasting understanding by building on secure knowledge and vocabulary as they progress through primary school.
We follow a carefully sequenced spelling spiral that connects the curriculum and assessment by threading previous concepts through every term in every year group.
We give all pupils repeated opportunities to:
revisit previous learning from every year group
recap the foundations of Reception and Year 1
retrieve what they know
reinforce understanding through discussion and critical thinking
retain knowledge through active practice and dictation
Spiral Step Spelling is not just another scheme of work, but a language curriculum.
We consolidate learning by weaving together weekly phonics, common exception words, orthography, morphology, etymology and vocabulary.
Why Should Spelling Be Spiralled?
Pupils rarely learn in a straight line — so why should spelling?
Throughout our classroom experience, we repeatedly saw the same challenge: pupils reaching Key Stage 2 with gaps in phonics, spelling and vocabulary that continued to affect their reading and writing.
We know that earlier gaps become harder to see as the curriculum becomes more demanding and they only widen as pupils move through primary school. Moreover, vocabulary, word structure and meaning are overlooked when spelling is taught in isolation.
So we asked: what if spelling is taught in a spiral rather than a straight line?
By repeatedly revisiting concepts, Spiral Step Spelling moves away from the traditional 'memorise and test weekly' method. Instead, it focuses on a continuous, layered learning approach so that your pupils will know more, remember more and be able to do more.
How Easy Can Spiral Step Spelling Be Delivered in the Classroom?
Spiral Step Spelling has been developed from real classroom practice, curriculum expertise and assessment experience.
All that teachers need to deliver Spiral Step Spelling is access to a computer, an interactive whiteboard and a small supply of 'play-based' resources that are readily available in schools.
We are committed to being paperless and sustainable to reduce a teacher's workload. This eliminates queues at the printer or waiting for photocopier repairs, freeing up valuable time for what matters most — pupils' learning.
Every lesson has been designed with the realities of primary schools in mind — helping teachers deliver ambitious spelling teaching with confidence and ease, while giving pupils the repeated opportunities they need to succeed.
Spiral Step Spelling is a small change that will have a huge impact across your school.
Our vision is that all pupils will leave primary school with secure spelling knowledge, a rich vocabulary, the confidence to communicate effectively and a genuine love of language.
If you are a forward-thinking primary school, we would love your help to shape Spiral Step Spelling as one of our Founding Partner Schools.
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