Below are the Common Exception Words for Years 1 and 2 which children need to be able to spell by the end of the key stage. They are not words  for which phonics 'doesn't work' but they may be exceptions to spelling rules, or words which use a particular combination of letters to represent sound patterns in a rare or unique way. 

They can be learnt using the look, say, cover, write, check strategy as well as using other spelling strategies like mnemonics and mispronunciation. 

Some of these will also be included as tricky words on the letters and sounds program.