Phonics Screening Check: a Year 1 parent's guide

The Phonics Screening Check is the first standardised assessment in primary school. It happens in June of Year 1 and exists to identify children who need extra phonics support before they enter Year 2.

What the check involves

Children read 40 words to their teacher — 20 real words and 20 'pseudo-words' (nonsense words designed to test pure decoding without vocabulary memory). The pass mark is typically around 32 out of 40.

How to support at home

Daily 5–10 minute sessions trump weekly hour-long efforts. Practise sounds (not letter names), blend slowly, and use the same systematic phonics scheme your school uses (ask if you're not sure — Letters & Sounds, Read Write Inc., and Twinkl Phonics are all common).

• Read aloud to your child every day — even after they can read independently
• Play sound-blending games verbally during walks or car journeys
• Don't correct every error — accuracy follows fluency
• Use pseudo-words too (the check tests pure decoding)

If they don't pass

Children who don't pass retake in Year 2. There's no public stigma; the school will quietly arrange catch-up phonics teaching. If you'd like additional 1-to-1 support, primary tutoring with a phonics-trained tutor can close the gap in 6–12 weeks for most children. If a wider reading-resistance is part of the picture, our notes on helping reluctant readers in KS2 may help — and our KS1 SATs guide covers the next assessment milestone.