Tricky Words Mat Lists – Phases 2 to 5
Access a clear, printable reference for all tricky words from Phases 2 to 5 with this handy set of tricky word mat lists. Perfect for teachers, TAs and support staff, these lists are aligned with the updated 2021 Letters and Sounds progression used in many schools.
This version includes the full list of tricky words for each phase in a simple, no-frills layout – ideal for phonics planning, guided groups, or classroom display.
These tricky word lists are:
- Grouped by phonics phase for quick reference
- Aligned with the 2021 Letters and Sounds progression
- Suitable for both teaching and assessment use
- Offered with and without regional variations
Use alongside our Phase 2–5 tricky word mats for pupil-friendly display versions or print these lists to support phonics delivery and progress tracking.
Teaching tip: Keep a copy in your phonics planning folder or classroom toolkit for quick checks when teaching or modelling tricky words.
Explore our phonics resources here.


