Phonics Screening Check

By the end of Year 1, we want all of our children to be able to read accurately – to read both familiar and unfamiliar words - so that they can go on to become a fluent, enthusiastic reader. The Phonics Screening Check in June in Year 1 is a word reading test to check children can read sounds in words accurately. Accurate word reading at 6 is a predictor of future success. 

Children complete the phonics screening check at the end of Year 1 so that parents can be confident their children are being taught to read successfully. Children read 40 words. It takes between two and five minutes. If they do not manage to read 32 of the words successfully, they are given extra support, and repeat the check at the end of Year 2. It means that all children will be able to read accurately before they begin Year 3. 

Half of the words in the check are real words. Half are nonsense words. For example, ‘sheb’, ‘glight’, ‘ched’, ‘teb’. There is a picture of an alien next to each word to remind the children that it isn’t a real word. Nonsense words are used to assess children’s reading. They check that children will be able to read sounds the sounds they know in unfamiliar words. They read these words using the same routine as real words – ‘Special Friends, Fred Talk.’ 

At Fors, we aim to make sure that every child learns to read accurately by the end of Year 1 so they are set up for success in school and in life. 

https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/RwhSqAv6/VUsS7eHa  

 As soon as we spot a child who needs extra practice learning to read sounds and words, we teach them one-to-one for a few minutes every day.