🎉 NEW CURRICULUM FOR KS2 (Y5/6) COMING SEPTEMBER 2025 🎉
What is Vocabulous?
Vocabulous is an innovative resource to aid targeted and explicit vocabulary teaching in Key Stages 2 and 3 English lessons.
Vocabulous uses Latin and Greek root words to teach word patterns. Students then use these patterns to work out the meaning of unknown words which share the same root.
For example, the root “scrip-” meaning “write” can help students understand “inscription”, “manuscript” and “prescription”. Our carefully-selected roots and prefixes lead to thousands of English words.
All lessons are fully planned and resourced, with a full-class module teaching the root and quizzes and worksheets for students to complete independently.
By practising puzzling out unknown words, students build habits that can be applied to unfamiliar vocabulary across the curriculum.
Features of Vocabulous
Two fully planned and resourced programmes for KS2 (Y5/6) and KS3 (Y7). 
Full-class module to learn each root or prefix, featuring videos, prompt questions and explanations. 
Unique logins for students, so they can complete quizzes, gain stars and collect badges. 
Useful data reports so teachers can assess students' progress over time. 
Lots of downloads, such as certificates, bookmarks, "root of the week" posters and more. 
Sign up here for a 14-day free guest pass
Do you want to have a look around the site before you subscribe?
Maybe you want to have a go with your students?
Fill in your details below to be set up with a 14-day free guest account.
We're also happy to answer questions via email at info@vocabulous.co.uk.
What does a Vocabulous lesson look like?
1. Learn the root or prefix of the week as a class using the Learn module. Through a series of videos and prompt questions, a root and its derivatives are explicitly taught and immediately applied in scenarios. Put up your root of the week poster too!
2. Students log in and complete quizzes independently, either on devices in class or at home as part of their homework. They win stars for correct answers, and are awarded badges for completing levels.
3. Assess progress either by class, by root or by student. Celebrate success with printable certificates and bookmarks
4. Revisit previously learnt roots by completing optional paper worksheets or watching the Revise videos. An ideal starter activity for later in the week!
SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS FOR ACTIVE LEARNING
CONTEXT QUESTIONS TO AID READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS
STUDENT PROGRESS PAGE AND CLASS LEADERBOARD
REWATCH ROOT VIDEOS AS PART OF REVISION
PROFILE PAGE SHOWING STARS AND BADGES WON, AND CLASS LEADERBOARD
TEACHING TIER 2 AND 3 VOCABULARY FROM LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS
10 LEVELS NAMED AFTER GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES
12 QUIZ TYPES, BASED ON VOCABULARY ACQUISITION RESEARCH
INTERACTIVE LEARNING MODULE
APPLICATION OF ROOT KNOWLEDGE TO COMPLEX WORDS
STRUCTURED PLAN TO LEARN EACH ROOT
OVER 200 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Subscribe to Vocabulous
Subscriptions include:
- Individual website login for each student and unlimited teacher accounts
- Over 400 instructional videos and quizzes
- Access to printable resources such as "root of the week" posters and certificates
- Plus much more!
What impact is Vocabulous having?
Research into the efficacy of Vocabulous, led by Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson and funded by Christ Church, Oxford reveals that Vocabulous can support children to improve their recognition of word roots and to apply this knowledge to understand and use a range of new English vocabulary.
1,500 students and 50 teachers in primary and secondary schools in the north of England used the website for an academic year and completed pre- and post-trial assessments to analyse the change in pupils’ progress.
To find out more and read the research report, click below.
Vocabulous case study - Parklands Primary School, Leeds
Sam Rennison, a Year 6 teacher at Parklands, said of Vocabulous: “I just think it’s been an amazing tool. It’s introduced them to a whole new range of parts of words that they haven’t come across before.
“It’s amazing really because they’re actually trying to use these words in their writing. Especially for our children who don’t have that great vocabulary, it’s building it up ready for high school.
"The children are just so engaged. They ask to do Vocabulous. It’s pitched at their level, with the Greek gods and goddesses, which makes it a bit more interesting."
Vocabulous combines videos, animation, gamification, original music, and bright graphics to ensure students have fun while their vocabulary develops.
“Excellent resource; enjoyed by students; very versatile; great at developing students’ vocabulary and ability to understand and work out unfamiliar words.”
Stephanie Wood
Queen’s School, Bushey
“I really enjoy it – as do the children. It is helping with their spelling and understanding the etymology of words which helps with their reading comprehension.”
Year 6 Teacher
Forest Fields Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham
“I have had a lot of comments from teachers around the school saying how much the Year 7s are enjoying Vocabulous and how they are always really eager to do the work. Overall, Vocabulous has been an incredible resource to have!”
Brad Flint
Allerton Grange School, Leeds
“Using Vocabulous has given our students strategies to cope with the challenges they face outside of the classroom.”
Executive Headteacher at a
Primary School in Bradford
“Vocabulous is a fun way to work on vocabulary building. It’s colourful and dynamic and the kids love the collecting of badges to mark their progress.”
Year 7 teacher at a school
in York
“Vocabulous is an enjoyable and interactive means of furthering children’s vocabulary knowledge. I like the progression format e.g. unlocking new levels/challenges. It acts as an incentive for children to push themselves.”
Year 6 teacher at a school in Manchester
FRIENDS AND SCHOOLS
Vocabulous is very proud to be funded by The SHINE Trust and be working with schools across the UK and beyond!
