Spelling Shed

Overview

Spelling Shed is a spelling practice platform designed by teachers for pupils, parents and teachers. It suits schools that want curriculum coverage, homework management and whole-class games in the same service. Its classroom tools and offline play are useful strengths, but the free plan keeps activity history for only seven days.

Key features

The whole-school curriculum covers ELA spelling standards, including statutory words and spelling rules. That gives teachers a structured starting point for teaching rather than making every list from scratch. They can also create unlimited custom lists and search for lists within the platform, which helps adapt practice to a class or topic.

The teacher hub manages student records, teachers and classes, and supports homework assignments. Hive Games let pupils practise together as an alternative to a weekly spelling test. This combination is a stronger fit for coordinated classroom use than for families looking only for occasional individual drills.

Open Dyslexic font support and three difficulty levels provide ways to accommodate pupils with different abilities. Phonics instruction and corrective practice are also supported. Full offline play is valuable where internet access is unreliable, while QR-code scanning can import lists or sign in.

ClassLink and Wonde rostering are listed integrations; Clever rostering is limited to Classroom. EdShed states that it complies with GDPR, COPPA and FERPA, receives annual independent security testing, and stores data at a London data centre.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing. It includes Tests, Hive games, Challenges and Custom Leagues, but each retains history for only seven days. Clever rostering is marked Classroom only. That makes the free tier a useful way to access core classroom activities, but short history is a drawback for teachers who need to follow progress over longer periods.

The Spelling Shed iOS app costs $2.99, paid once and is designed for iPad, iPhone and iPad. It is a separate one-time app option, not a substitute for the platform’s school-management features.

Premium is custom pricing: teachers can get a quote, and the plan adds printable parent reports for tests. Clever rostering remains Classroom only.

Platforms

Spelling Shed is available on Android, iOS and the web. Offline app play helps preserve access away from a reliable connection. The service offers versions adapted for United Kingdom, United States, Australian and Cambridge International curricula.

Who it's for

Spelling Shed is best suited to schools and teachers that need structured spelling coverage, class and homework management, and collaborative practice. Its custom lists and regional curriculum versions also help teachers tailor that structure. Parents and pupils can use it too, but households seeking a simple standalone app may not need the teacher hub or school-focused tools.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Whole-school curriculum coverage, unlimited custom lists and list search support structured teaching with room to adapt.
• Pros: Teacher management, homework assignments and Hive Games bring classroom administration and practice together.
• Pros: Offline play, QR-code scanning, Open Dyslexic font and three difficulty levels address practical access and varied learning needs.
• Cons: Free-plan history lasts only seven days, limiting how far back teachers can review activity on that tier.
• Cons: Premium requires a quote, so schools cannot compare its full cost from a fixed published price.
• Cons: The separate iOS app is designed for Apple devices, while the platform’s school features are the more compelling reason to choose Spelling Shed.

Alternatives

Spelling Apps is the directory’s broader category list for comparing options. Choose SpellMe instead if you want a free basic plan capped at five lists of ten words each, with 300+ curated phonics lists, or its ££12 per y Advanced plan.

Spelling.Live may suit users who prefer a credit-based option: its free sign-up gives 200 credits, which expire after 90 days without a practice session, and a 400-credit pack costs £4, paid once. PenPoints is a free Android and iOS alternative. Spelling Boost offers free core audio dictation tests, custom lists, handwriting input and progress tracking on Android.

Wordshark is a paid alternative with a free trial. Spell Up is a freemium option for Android, iOS and web. Spello is worth comparing for families: its Families plan costs £10 a year for the first year, then £20 a year, and supports up to four children with unlimited practice and a daily cap per child. DoodleSpell is another paid alternative with a free trial; its school subscription is offered per pupil per year.

Verdict

Choose Spelling Shed if you are a teacher or school looking to combine spelling curriculum coverage, class administration and shared games, particularly where offline access or custom lists matter. Its main trade-offs are the free tier’s seven-day history and Premium’s quote-based pricing. Families seeking a simpler individual practice app should compare alternatives before taking on its classroom-oriented setup.