What is the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?  

At the end of Year 1, children will undertake a statutory phonics screening check. This is a short assessment is meant to show how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned up to the end of Year 1, and to identify students who need extra phonics help. The Department for Education defines the checks as “short, light-touch assessments” that take about four to nine minutes to complete. There are 40 words in the screening check which children are asked to read on a one-to-one basis with their teacher. The check is made up of 'real words' (eg. 'mud') and 'non-words' (eg. 'splog') and children need to apply their phonic knowledge to read all words.

Preparation for the check takes place during the daily phonics session, but you can help your child at home by practising phonics on a regular basis. Here are some suggestions for activities:

1. Fred Games are a fun way to practice the skill of oral blending throughout the day.
2. Teach Your Monster to Read is a free website that supports learning to read at home.  The website requires registration, but is free to use.
3. Phonics Play has some games that are free to play online.  Children have to sound out and blend words and decide whether they are alien words or real words.

For more information and suggestions on helping and supporting your child at home visit The School Run.

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Unsure of the sounds? For videos showing how to pronounce the sounds click here.