What is the Phonics Screening Check?

The Phonics Screening Check is a short, statutory assessment for all children in Year 1 across England. It is designed to check whether your child has learned enough phonics (letter sounds and how to blend them together) to read at the level expected for their age.

The check is carried out one-to-one with a familiar member of staff, in a relaxed, low-pressure setting – it is not a formal exam and children are not aware they are being “tested” in the way older children might be.

During the check, your child will be asked to read 40 words aloud, made up of:

• Real words – words your child will recognise, such as those they read in class.
• “Alien” or pseudo-words – made-up words (shown with a picture of an alien) that follow normal phonics patterns. These aren’t nonsense to trick children – they simply check that a child is using their phonics knowledge to decode, rather than recognising a word from memory.

The check typically takes just a few minutes per child and causes little to no disruption to their normal school day.

When does it take place?

The Phonics Screening Check will take place in June.

If your child is absent during this week, schools are given a further week to complete the check, so there is no need to worry if illness gets in the way on a particular day.

What happens next?

Every child’s result will be shared with parents and carers, usually as part of their end-of-year school report. Most children meet the expected standard. If a child does not meet the expected standard in Year 1, extra support is put in place and they will have the opportunity to retake the check in Year 2.

How can I support my child at home?

There’s no need for formal revision or extra pressure at home – the most helpful things you can do are:

• Keep up regular reading practice together, using the reading books sent home from school.
• Sound out unfamiliar words together rather than simply telling your child the word.
• Keep it fun – confidence and enjoyment matter just as much as accuracy.
• Talk to your child’s class teacher if you have any questions or concerns – we are always happy to help.

If you have any questions about the Phonics Screening Check or your child’s phonics learning at St Thomas More CVA, please speak to your child’s class teacher.