In this little box there are 102 common exception words. Many of these words do not follow the common phonetic spelling rules. Some exception words are used very frequently, which is why children are introduced to them very early on in their phonics learning. The National Curriculum includes a list of these words that children are expected to learn to read and spell by the end of each year in primary school. The number and order of exception words your child will be taught will vary according to the phonics programme being used in their school but these are the most common.