Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

The screening check is for all Year 1 pupils and pupils in Year 2 who did not meet the standard the previous year.

What does the test consist of?• 40 words, real and nonsense

words, that children read one-on-one with a teacher.

• Children will need to use decoding

skills to read the nonsense (alien) words.

Phonics Screening Structure• The 40 words and non-words are

divided into two sections – one with simple word structures of three or four letters. One with more complex word structures of five or six letters.

• There are a few practice words to read first – including some non-words – so children understand more about what they have to do.

Pass thresholdPass threshold was 32 out of 40 this

year.48 out of 60 (81%) Year 1 passed

4 out of 6 Year 2 passed• Results are shared with parents

as part of end of year reports.• If children do not reach the

threshold they take screening check again in Year 2.

What makes it tricky?

• Range of sounds that are covered in the check.• Length of screening check : 40 words.• Plurals.• This year:

haunt forest treats

What we do to help?

• RWI sessions and using RWI strategies.• RWI daily interventions for children working in

a RWI group below orange to ensure exposure to Set 1, 2 and 3 sounds.

• Website links shared with parents on class homework letters.

• Practise with children to familiarise them with format of screening check.