Related spellings for home practice · England
Year 2 common exception words
Explore the 64 Year 2 common exception word examples in England's DfE spelling appendix. Notice useful spelling similarities, then use the grouped checklist to record reading, spelling and independent writing. Follow your school's phonics programme.
Free ten-word practice covers a wider mix of Year 2 words. A round may include words beyond this printed checklist. No child name, account or payment is needed.
Published and updated .
What these examples cover
A common exception word contains a letter-sound match that is unusual or has not yet been taught. Teaching common exception words is statutory; these named examples are non-statutory, with the qualification “and/or others, according to the programme used”. Your school may teach other words too.
The groups below describe spelling similarities, rather than official teaching units or rules for every word with those letters. Compare old, cold and told; find and kind; could, should and would; or move, prove and improve. Every and everybody show a related form. Say each word naturally and use the letter-sound matches your child has learned.
Children is included because of its relationship with child, as the appendix footnote explains. The shared letters help you connect them, while the vowel sound changes. Accent matters too: past, last, fast, path and bath can be pronounced differently across England. Listen to your child's accent and follow the school's pronunciation and programme.
A grouped checklist of all 64 examples
Use the Read, Spell and In writing spaces for paper ticks or brief notes: reading the word, spelling it from memory and using it independently in a sentence. This is an observation aid, not a score or diagnosis.
Use your browser's Print or Save as PDF command. The layout is designed for two readable A4 pages; browser settings may change pagination. No name, account or payment is needed. Only the concise title, source, Spellito page URL and grouped checklist print. On screen, focus a table region and use arrow keys to scroll across its columns.
The spelling -old
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| old | |||
| cold | |||
| gold | |||
| hold | |||
| told |
The spellings -ind and -ild
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| find | |||
| kind | |||
| mind | |||
| behind | |||
| child | |||
| wild |
Related to child: children
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| children |
The spelling -ould
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| could | |||
| should | |||
| would |
The spelling -ove
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| move | |||
| prove | |||
| improve |
Related forms: every and everybody
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| every | |||
| everybody |
The letters ea: great, break, steak
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| great | |||
| break | |||
| steak |
The spelling -oor
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| door | |||
| floor | |||
| poor |
The spelling any: any and many
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| any | |||
| many |
Initial wh: who and whole
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| who | |||
| whole |
Titles with capitals: Mr and Mrs
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr | |||
| Mrs |
The letter a: listen in your accent
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| after | |||
| fast | |||
| last | |||
| past | |||
| father | |||
| class | |||
| grass | |||
| pass | |||
| plant | |||
| path | |||
| bath | |||
| half |
Other useful words
| Word | Read | Spell | In writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| because | |||
| climb | |||
| most | |||
| only | |||
| both | |||
| even | |||
| pretty | |||
| beautiful | |||
| hour | |||
| sure | |||
| sugar | |||
| eye | |||
| clothes | |||
| busy | |||
| people | |||
| water | |||
| again | |||
| money | |||
| parents | |||
| Christmas |
Use arrow keys to scroll a focused table; Tab moves to the next region.
Try a small set together
- Choose two or three words already introduced at school. Say each in a short sentence.
- Notice the shared letters and any tricky part. Use the sounds and terminology taught in class.
- Cover the word, write it from memory and check together. Correct it kindly, then revisit after a gap.
- Look for the word in reading and invite a new sentence another day. Record what you observe on paper.
Basic Year 2 practice stays free. Custom home lists need Family Pass; teacher assignments need the teacher to join, approve the class connection and use a Class Licence. Ask the school which words to practise this week.
Questions from parents
Are these 64 words a compulsory national list?
England's DfE English Appendix 1 names 64 Year 2 examples. Teaching common exception words is statutory, while these named examples are non-statutory: “and/or others, according to the programme used”. Follow your school's phonics programme and the words introduced in class.
Why are child and children included together?
The appendix includes children because of its relationship with child. Notice the shared spelling and the changed ending, and say both words naturally: the vowel sound changes. Children is included as a related form, rather than identified as a new exception by the footnote.
Will these words be in an end-of-Year 2 test?
Schools choose whether to use the optional end-of-Key Stage 1 tests. STA guidance for 2026–27 says Paper 1: spelling has 20 spellings from the wider programme of study. This checklist does not predict the test words. The phonics screening check is a separate assessment; optional Year 2 tests do not make that check optional.
Are the checklist and Year 2 practice free?
Yes. Print the grouped checklist or save it as a PDF using your browser, with no name, account or payment. The layout is designed for two A4 pages; browser settings may change pagination. Basic ten-word Year 2 practice is free and covers a wider mix of Year 2 words, so a round may include words beyond this checklist. Family Pass is optional for the family extras.
Assessment sources: STA optional KS1 tests guidance (updated 12 October 2026, for 2026–27) and STA assessment information for parents.
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