What is the Phonics Screening Check?
The Phonics Screening Check 2024 is a test to assess and show how well your child can use and apply the phonics skills that they have learnt up to the end of Year 1. Every child in Year 1 in England has to take the Phonics Screening Check. The child takes the test during a one-to-one sitting with a teacher. This year’s Phonics Screening Check will take place in the week beginning Monday 10th June. During the Phonics Screening Check, children are asked to read (i.e. decode) 40 words. Most of these words are real words, but some are also alien words. An alien word is a fake word that features strings of letters that resemble real words. Most children pass their Phonics Screening Tests but if a child does not pass and does not meet the expected standard, they will be given the appropriate support with their phonics to help them eventually reach the expected standard. They will then re-take the Phonics Screening Check the following year. There isn’t a time limit for the Phonics Screening Check, but it usually takes around eight to ten minutes.