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 reading success.
What is the Phonics Screening Check?
Children complete the phonics screening check at the end of Year 1 to ensure that they can read successfully. Children read 40 words.
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.
* The 'pass' threshold for past phonics screening tests is typically 32 marks.
Word Reading
We teach children to read words using the routine ‘Special Friends’, ‘Fred Talk’, read the word’. Children spot the ‘Special Friends’ (two/three letters that make one sound), Fred talk the word, and then read the whole word.
For example, ‘sh’, sh-i-p, ship.
Words
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.’
Children who can read nonsense words will, very soon, be able to read any new word – for example – gargantuan, flailing, raucous, anticipation. Reading new words increases children’s vocabulary rapidly.
What can you do to help?
1. Help your child to use ‘Special Friends’, ‘Fred Talk’ to read words.
2. Practise reading sounds speedily.
3. Watch the Virtual Classroom films together.
4. Listen to your child read their Storybook every day.
