Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are crucial building blocks for children learning to speak, write, and listen. Having a good knowledge of grammar allows your child to communicate their ideas and feelings, and helps them choose the right language for any situation.
It's easy to underestimate the importance of teaching grammar from an early age. It's an essential element of the English language.
It can change the meaning of sentences.
A good understanding of grammar will improve children's reading and writing skills.
It allows children to be able to be more creative with their writing.
Grammar skills will benefit children in the future when they come to apply for jobs or university.
Children will be marked on SPaG skills in secondary school and beyond, so the importance of teaching grammar early on shouldn't be understated.
The English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (informally known as the SPAG test) was introduced in May 2013 as part of the KS2 SATs programme for Year 6 pupils, replacing the previous English writing test.
‘The Government wants all children to leave primary school with a sound grasp of essential English skills,’ a Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said at the time. ‘The test will put an additional focus on writing skills and encourage good teaching.’
In May 2016, the SPAG test was updated (in line with the new primary curriculum) and was made more challenging.
The SPAG test includes questions that assess the following elements of the English curriculum from Y2 learning onwards:
Sentence grammar through both identifying and writing sentences that are grammatically correct
Punctuation through identifying and writing sentences that are correctly punctuated
Vocabulary through identifying and writing sentences in which a word is used correctly
Spelling taught spelling patterns and rules