The phonics screening check tests Year 1 and some Year 2 students on their ability to read 40 words, including real words and nonsense words. It consists of two sections, with words of increasing complexity from 3-4 letters to 5-6 letters. Students must read at least 32 words correctly by the end of Year 1 to meet the required threshold. The screening check aims to assess students' phonics decoding skills and knowledge of letter sounds.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

5. Pass threshold
Pass 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.

6. 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

7. 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.