Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

The phonics screening check is a statutory National Curriculum Key Stage 1 assessment and will take place in June. The assessment is carried out with the child’s class teacher and mainly focuses on phase 3 and 5 graphemes.  The test will be pitched at phase 5 so your child should be aiming to be able to decode most words from the phase 5 sets. Lots of work is carried out with the children in Year 1 to prepare them for the screening check and they will have participated in many practise papers so they feel completely comfortable with what is expected of them.

The papers consist of 40 words, made up of real and nonsense words. They are asked to read the words accurately. They can make attempts to sound out but must be heard bending the word correctly.

Children who do not pass the screening check can retake it in year 2 and will receive further support to prepare them, alongside their usual daily phonics lessons.

More information about the Year 1 Phonics Screening check, along with past papers can be found at: Phonics screening check: sample materials and training video - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)