Phonics Screening Check
As you may be aware a national phonics screening test was introduced in 2012 for all Year 1
pupils. The purpose of this check is to assess the children’s decoding and blending skills and
identify children who will need extra support with this in Year 2.
How is the screening check carried out?
Year 1 pupils will take the phonics screening check in June. The check comprises of a list of
40 words, both real and made up, which children will read with their teacher on a one to one
basis. The check is very similar to tasks which children already complete during phonics
lessons and children will have already looked at words from past checks with their teacher or
TA. The check takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Half the words in the check
cover phonics skills that were taught in Reception and half the words cover phonics skills that
are taught in Year 1. Half of the words which the children are asked to read will be real and
the other half will be ‘alien’ words, which are made up words, included to ensure that children
are using their decoding skills rather than sight recognition. Pupils who can read these words
should have the skills to decode most unfamiliar words that they come across in their reading
books.
Year 2 retakes
Children need to read between 32-34 words correctly to pass the phonics screening. If your
child does not achieve this, they will be provided with targeted phonics support in Year 2 and
will be required to retake the phonics screening test at the end of Year 2.
How are the results published?
The school is required to inform parents of the results of this screening check and this will be
included as part of your child’s end of year report.
How can I help at home?
There are several ways which you can help your child prepare for the phonics screening check:
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Practice the sounds included with this letter
Look at the past phonics screening check words included with this letter and practice
decoding these carefully. Past phonics screening checks are also available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessmentspractice-materials#phonics-screening-check-resources
Encourage children to sound out unfamiliar words in their reading books
Play online games which enable children to practice reading made up words such as:
o Buried Treasure
o Ob and Bob
These games can be accessed on www.phonicsplay.co.uk. Please focus on phase 3, 4
and 5 sounds.
For additional information on the importance of phonics in teaching and learning, please see
the following website: https://www.readwithfonics.com/parents-phonics-guide
Enjoy, Achieve, Aspire!
Sounds to practice at home
ch
sh
shop
th
thin/then
ng
ai
ee
igh
oa
oo
boot/look
ar
farm
or
ur
ow
cow
oi
coin
ear
air
ure
sure
er
corner
ay
oy
ou
out
ir
girl
ie
ue
ea
aw
wh
a-e
ph
e-e
ew
i-e
oe
o-e
au
u-e
chip
rain
eat
photo
toe
feet
saw
these
home
night
for
dear
day
tie
when
new
Paul
Enjoy, Achieve, Aspire!
ring
boat
hurt
fair
boy
blue
make
like
rule