KS2 SATs 2025 — English GPS Paper 2: Spelling

The idea

Proofreading means checking writing slowly for mistakes, including your own. It is easy to read what you meant to write instead of what is really on the page, so slow down. Point to each word, read it exactly as written, and break longer words into chunks: de-fin-ite-ly for definitely. There is no letter a in definitely, a mistake many people make.

Keep a personal list of words that trip you up, and learn the trap in each one. Receive follows the rule i before e except after c, so it is spelled with ei after the c. Tomorrow has one m but a double r. When you practise, use look, cover, write, check: look at the correct spelling, cover it, write the word from memory, then check letter by letter.

Leave time for a final check at the end of a test. First read for sense, then read again just for spellings, hunting for the words and patterns on your personal list.

Worked example

Find and correct the spelling mistake in this sentence: I will recieve the parcel tomorrow.

1. Read each word slowly and exactly as written.
2. The word recieve breaks the rule i before e except after c.
3. After c, the letters should be ei, giving receive.

Answer: receive

Watch out

• Reading what you meant to write instead of what is actually on the page.
• Writing definately with an a: definitely has no a.
• Rushing the final check and missing words you personally often misspell.