Barnaby Blunderbuss has done it again.
One rogue Engorgio charm in the Herbology Greenhouse has mutated a rare Whispering Nighthorn into a sentient, rapidly spreading tangle of creeping thorns — and now the vines are crawling through the corridors, blocking every exit, and trapping everyone inside Wandermere Academy.
Students must navigate through the castle, answering grammar questions at each checkpoint to find the correct route — and collect the bold letters that spell the final counter-charm to get everyone out safely.
This is a grammar maze unlike anything else in your classroom. And it comes in three completely independent versions.
How It Works
- Students follow a map of Wandermere Academy, stopping at marked checkpoints in each room.
- At every stop, they identify the grammatically correct sentence from four options.
- Each correct answer points them in a direction (UP, DOWN, LEFT, or RIGHT) and the bold letter in their choice contributes to a final spell word.
- Follow the right path, collect the right letters, cast the spell, and escape.
- Wrong answers lead nowhere. Correct grammar leads the way out.
Three versions of the maze run on the same map and the same story, each targeting a different grammar skill:
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Verb Tenses Students identify correct irregular past-tense verbs, perfect tense constructions, and subject-verb agreement across five checkpoints. The correct path through the castle spells: SEVER.
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Punctuation Students identify correctly punctuated sentences covering introductory phrases, proper noun capitalisation, apostrophes, and commas to offset information. The correct path spells: UNBAR.
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Spelling Students identify correctly spelled sentences and correct homophones across five checkpoints covering -ate endings, -ough endings, double consonants, and homophones. The correct path spells: HEAVE.
Run them with different groups simultaneously, use them across three separate lessons, or assign them for literacy rotations.
Skills Covered
- Irregular past-tense and perfect-tense verb forms
- Subject-verb agreement
- Introductory phrase punctuation
- Proper noun capitalisation
- Apostrophes for contractions and possession
- Commas to offset information
- Spelling demons including -ate, -ough, and double consonants
- Homophones and word form accuracy
What's Included
- 3 complete grammar maze versions (Verb Tenses, Punctuation, Spelling)
- Full castle map with navigation compass
- Answer key for all three versions including correct route maps
- Print-and-go format — no preparation required
Perfect For
- Years 5–6 English
- Grammar revision and skills practice
- Literacy rotations — three groups, three versions, one activity
- Small group or partner work
- Early finishers
- Back to School week activities
- End of year / last week of school activities
- Harry Potter fans and magical theme classrooms
- Relief teacher activities — the map and instructions explain everything
Why Teachers Love It
- Three complete grammar activities for the price of one
- Self-checking by design — the correct route only works if the grammar is right
- The codebreaker mechanic means students are motivated to reach the end
- Same story, same map, three different skills — perfect for mixed-ability classrooms
- Barnaby Blunderbuss strikes again — students already know him from the puzzle pack
- No preparation required. Just print and go.
Supports the Australian Curriculum English strand (Language and Literacy)
Part of the Wandermere Academy Series This maze is part of a growing collection of magical grammar adventures at Wandermere Academy. Explore the full series in the Ready Steady Games store, including the Grammar Puzzle Pack, the Grammar Mystery Game, and the Differentiated Editing Challenge.
Want to try before you buy? Download the free Wandermere Academy Sentence Fixer and see if your class has what it takes to earn their place at the academy.
