What Is the Complete List of Year 2 Common Exception Words?
Common exception words are words that do not follow standard phonetic spelling rules and must be learned by sight.
A downloadable PDF checklist of all 64 Year 2 common exception words (UK National Curriculum).
Worksheets, flashcards, songs, and multi-sensory activities to reinforce learning.
How these words fit within KS1 spelling; comparison with Year 1 and Year 3 lists.
- Year 2 common exception words are a statutory requirement under the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 1.
- Most common exception words are high-frequency words that appear often in early reading and writing.
- The list includes words like ‘door’, ‘floor’, ‘poor’, ‘because’, and ‘sugar’ where the spelling does not match the sound.
- Teaching these words through colour-coding, repetition, and context (e.g., songs) improves retention.
- Many schools use flashcards and dictation to ensure children can both read and spell these words.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 64 |
| Curriculum stage | Key Stage 1, Year 2 (ages 6–7) |
| Usual teaching timeline | Throughout Year 2, often introduced incrementally |
| Common example | ‘because’, ‘people’, ‘water’, ‘again’, ‘beautiful’ |
| Official source | UK Department for Education – English National Curriculum (2014) |
How Do You Teach Year 2 Common Exception Words?
What Are Common Exception Words (Definition)?
Common exception words are words that contain grapheme-phoneme correspondences (GPCs) that are unusual or that children have not yet been taught. The UK Department for Education states that pupils should be taught to spell these words because they appear frequently in writing but cannot be sounded out using standard phonics rules.
Use colour-coding to highlight the irregular part of a word. For example, in ‘because’, the ‘eau’ can be marked in a different colour. This technique is promoted by phonics specialists like Monster Phonics to draw attention to tricky GPCs.
Using Flashcards and Worksheets
Flashcards are a common tool. Teachers and parents can print word cards and use them for quick‑fire recall games. Worksheets from sources such as Plazoom offer fill‑in‑the‑blank exercises and sentence‑writing practice. The Twinkl word mat is designed for desk reference and progress tracking.
Multi‑Sensory Activities
According to Emile Education, quick, low‑stakes spelling tests, sentence building, and memory games like hangman help embed the words. Incorporating common exception words into everyday writing tasks ensures they are used in context, which boosts retention.
Place a word mat on each desk. Children can tick off words as they master them. Regular dictation exercises, where the teacher reads a sentence containing a target word, reinforce both reading and spelling.
How Do Year 2 Common Exception Words Compare to Other Year Groups?
Year 1 Common Exception Words
Year 1 pupils learn 45 common exception words, including ‘the’, ‘said’, ‘have’, ‘like’, and ‘some’. These are simpler and often taught through phonics lessons. The Year 2 list builds on this foundation, adding 64 words that are more complex and less phonically regular.
Year 3 and 4 Spelling List
After Year 2, children move to the lower Key Stage 2 statutory spelling list, which contains around 100 words. This list introduces homophones, prefixes, and suffixes. Examples include ‘accident’, ‘centre’, ‘fruit’, ‘height’, and ‘island’. The focus shifts from exception words to broader spelling patterns.
Combined Year 1 and 2 List
Many schools provide a combined reference mat of the 109 words from both Year 1 and Year 2. This helps pupils see the progression and revisit earlier words. The Oxford Owl PDF includes both sets in a single printable document.
Publisher lists may contain minor differences. For instance, Oxford Owl includes ‘bath’ and ‘sugar’, whereas Twinkl’s word mat omits ‘sugar’ in favour of other words. Always cross‑reference with the official DfE document to confirm the exact list used in your school.
What Is the Timeline for Teaching Common Exception Words?
- 2014 – Common exception words were introduced with the new National Curriculum in England, as detailed in English Appendix 1.
- Year 1 (ages 5–6) – Children learn 45 common exception words, such as ‘the’, ‘said’, ‘have’.
- Year 2 (ages 6–7) – The 64 words are taught incrementally across the school year, often in thematic sets.
- Year 3 (ages 7–8) – Pupils transition to the Year 3 and 4 spelling list, which includes new patterns like homophones and prefixes.
- 2025 onwards – The Year 2 list remains current; no official changes have been announced by the DfE.
For context on the broader UK education landscape, explore our guide to Free Courses in England – Guide to Government-Funded Qualifications.
How Certain Is the Official List and Teaching Requirements?
Established Information
- The official DfE list for Year 2 contains 64 words.
- These words must be taught in maintained schools in England.
- The list is publicly available in many school resources and official documents.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Some schools may supplement with additional words or vary the order of introduction.
- There is minor variation in the exact list depending on the publisher (e.g., Twinkl vs. Oxford Owl).
- Whether all 64 words are expected to be spelled correctly by the end of Year 2 can vary between schools.
What Are Common Exception Words and Why Are They Important?
Common exception words form a foundational part of English spelling instruction in the UK. They are irregular spellings that children must memorise to achieve fluency in both reading and writing. Mastery of these words is strongly linked to reading comprehension and writing confidence in Key Stage 1. The list is relatively stable, but teaching approaches vary significantly across schools. Resources such as worksheets, flashcards, and songs are widely used to reinforce recall. Understanding these words in the context of the wider spelling curriculum helps parents and educators plan effective instruction.
The Letters and Sounds phonics guidance from the government provides additional background on how exception words fit into systematic phonics teaching. The BBC Bitesize – KS1 Spelling page offers interactive practice for children.
What Do Official Sources and Educators Say About Common Exception Words?
“Children should be taught to spell common exception words containing grapheme-phoneme correspondences that are unusual or that have not yet been taught.”
– UK Department for Education (2014)
“Here are some common exception words – words that are spelled without using the normal spelling rules – that children in England are expected to learn in Year 2.”
– Oxford Owl (2025)
“Colour-coding draws pupils’ attention to the grapheme-phoneme correspondence, making common exception words easier to learn.”
– Monster Phonics
The British Council – Spelling tips for parents offers practical advice on supporting spelling development at home.
What Is the Key Takeaway for Year 2 Common Exception Words?
Year 2 common exception words are a statutory list of 64 irregularly spelled words that children in England must be able to read and spell by the end of Key Stage 1. With the right mix of worksheets, flashcards, songs, and multi‑sensory activities, most pupils can master these words. The list is stable, though minor publisher variations exist, and teaching order may differ by school. For anyone looking to support a Year 2 child, the official DfE PDF and resources from Oxford Owl and Twinkl provide reliable starting points.
For planning ahead, see our article on SQA Exam Timetable 2026 – Key Dates, PDF Download and Guide to understand how spelling standards connect to later assessment points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common exception words for Year 4?
Year 4 follows the Year 3 and 4 spelling list (approximately 100 words) that includes words like ‘accident’, ‘centre’, ‘fruit’, ‘height’, and ‘island’.
Are Year 2 common exception words the same as tricky words?
Yes, ‘tricky words’ is an alternative term often used in phonics programmes like Jolly Phonics and Letters and Sounds. They refer to the same concept: words that do not follow regular phonetic rules.
How can I help my child practice these words at home?
Use flashcards, write sentences, play word games, and use the free worksheets and songs available online. Repeat each word in context regularly.
Is there an official document from the government?
Yes, the DfE published the ‘English National Curriculum’ document (2014) which includes the list in Appendix 1: Spelling. Most school resources are derived from this.
How many common exception words are there in total for Year 1 and 2?
Year 1 has 45 words, Year 2 has 64, making a combined total of 109 common exception words across Key Stage 1.
Is there a song for Year 2 common exception words?
Several educational YouTube channels have created songs that set the words to music. Search for “Year 2 common exception words song” to find age‑appropriate options that help memorisation through rhythm and repetition.
What is the best way to use worksheets for these words?
Worksheets should be used alongside hands‑on activities. Start with a word list, then ask the child to complete fill‑in‑the‑blank exercises, write original sentences, and finally spell the words from dictation.
Do all UK schools teach the same list?
Maintained schools in England must follow the National Curriculum, which includes the official DfE list. Academies and free schools may have slightly different curricula, but most adopt the same list as a benchmark.
When should a child start learning Year 2 common exception words?
Children typically begin learning them at the start of Year 2 (age 6), but some schools introduce a few earlier if pupils are ready. The words are spread across the year.
Can flashcards help children learn common exception words?
Yes. Flashcards are proven to support visual memory and allow for quick, repeated exposure. Pairing the word with an image or a short sentence increases recall.
Rebecca Haines is Managing Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.