Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
The phonics screening check is a check that all Year 1 children take in June.
This year our phonics check will take place WB 9th June 2025. It is designed to help teachers and parents understand how the children are progressing with their phonics learning. It will also help us as a school to identify whether your child needs additional support with their reading.
What is the Phonics Check?
The Phonics Screening Check is a quick check of your child's decoding skills.
Your child will be asked to read 40 words. 20 are real words and 20 are known as 'alien words' (made up words).
The check has been designed not to put the child under stress and normally only takes minutes to complete, however there is no time limit should your child need longer.
Why do they read 'alien words'?
Reading alien words checks children's decoding skills and knowledge of graphemes in a fair way - it mirrors what the children have to do when they read a word they have never read before. Your child will have not seen the alien words before. They will have to use their knowledge of sounds to work out how to read them.
What can I do to support my child?
Continue to listen to your child read their phonics books and hear them read daily.
Your child may come home with extra words to practice at home.
Practice reading real and alien words using our three steps;
1. Special friends,
2. Fred Talk,
3. Read the word.
Click on the link below to read more about the 2025 Year 1 Phonics Screening Check;
Past Papers
We recommend that parents practice the Phonics Screening Check with your child at home with these past papers:
Phonics Screening Check Practice
Download the QR codes below on your smart phone to access videos linked directly to our phonics teaching.
Set 2 Word Challenge 1
Set 2 Word Challenge 2
Set 2 Word Challenge 3
Set 2 Word Challenge 4
Set 2 Word Challenge 5
