spellbound
Evidence-based spelling practice for UK primary schools
Teach spelling, not just test it. spellbound uses research-backed methods to help every learner build real understanding of how words work.
Free to use · No pupil data collected · Set up in 2 minutes
Spelling practice made simple
Three steps to better spelling across your class
Create an assignment
Choose from 834 UK curriculum words or create your own lists. Pick a spelling test, LSCWC, Phonics Screening Check prep, or one of 6 evidence-based games.
Learners practise
Children log in with a simple access code. They learn spelling patterns through teaching sequences, practise with games, or study words using structured recall.
Track progress
See mastery levels, streaks, and error patterns for every learner. Identify words to watch and adapt your teaching.
Teach before you test
Research shows children need just 1–4 exposures with explicit teaching, compared to 10–40 without it.
Children see the word broken into its graphemes with colour-coded sound patterns. Tricky parts are highlighted with clear explanations.
Interactive letter tiles let children reconstruct the word from its sounds. A hint system guides without giving the answer away.
Finally, children spell the word from memory with audio support. Feedback is instant, warm, and encouraging.
Grapheme breakdown
Watch out!
In ‘said’, the ‘ai’ makes an ‘e’ sound instead of the usual ‘ai’ sound.
Everything you need for spelling practice
Built by teachers, backed by research
4 modes, 6 games
Spelling tests with teaching, LSCWC for revision, Phonics Screening Check prep with real and pseudo-words, and 6 evidence-based games that practise phoneme awareness, pattern recognition, and morphology.
Adaptive learning
Spaced repetition brings words back at the right time. Error classification routes each child to the teaching they need.
Mastery tracking
Four mastery levels from first encounter to secure knowledge. Track progress across your class and spot words to watch.
SEND-friendly
Adjustable speech speed, high-contrast visuals, dyslexia-informed design, and audio-first interaction. Every child can access spelling practice.
Privacy-first
No pupil names collected. No tracking cookies. No third-party analytics. ICO registered. GDPR compliant by design.
UK curriculum aligned
834 words from Letters and Sounds phases 2–5, common exception words, and the National Curriculum statutory word lists for Years 1–6.
Designed for every learner
spellbound supports learners with a range of needs, including those with SEND and EAL.
Four speed settings from extra slow to faster. Children control how quickly words are spoken, supporting auditory processing differences.
Every word can be replayed as many times as needed. Context sentences disambiguate homophones. Multiple voice options available.
High-contrast colour coding, clear typography with Atkinson Hyperlegible, and grapheme-level word breakdowns help visual learners.
Clean, distraction-free interface. One word at a time. Streaks and confetti provide motivation without overwhelming.
Teaching approach informed by research into dyslexia interventions (Kast et al., 2007, 2011) and multisensory spelling instruction (Van Daal & Reitsma, 2007).
Built on evidence, not guesswork
Every design decision is grounded in peer-reviewed research
1–4
exposures needed with explicit grapheme teaching to form orthographic memory
Ehri, 2014
3x
learning gains from interleaved retrieval practice compared to massed study
Pan, Rickard & Bjork, 2016
19–35%
improvement in spelling accuracy for children with dyslexia using multisensory computer-based training
Kast et al., 2007, 2011
Also informed by: EEF Improving Literacy in KS1 (2020), Ofsted Curriculum Research Reviews (2022, 2024), Van Daal & Reitsma (2007)
Ready to try spellbound?
Set up your class in minutes. Free to use, no credit card required.
No pupil names collected · No tracking · ICO registered