Year 1 PSC (Phonics Screening Check)

The Phonics Screening Check for Year 1 pupils will take place the week beginning Monday 6th June, 2022.

Frequently asked questions about the Phonics Screening Check

1. What is the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?

The national phonics screening check was introduced in 2012 to all Year 1 pupils. It is a short, statutory assessment to ensure that children are making sufficient progress in the phonics skills to read words and are on track to become fluent readers who can enjoy reading for pleasure and for learning.

It is designed to give teachers and parents information on how your child is progressing in phonics. It will help to identify whether your child needs additional support at this stage so that they do not fall behind in this vital early reading skill.

2. What is in the Phonics Screening Check?

There are two sections in this 40-word check, half real words and half nonsense words, the nonsense words will be shown to your child with a picture of an alien. Your child will read up to four words per page for their teacher and they will probably do the check in one sitting of about 5-10 minutes.

3.What sort of check is it and is it compulsory?

It is a school-based check to make sure that your child receives any additional support promptly, should they need it. It is not a stressful situation as the teacher will be well-equipped to listen and understand your child’s level of skills. It should be an enjoyable activity for children which will take no more than 10 minutes.

4.What does it Check?

It checks that your child can:

• Sound out and blend graphemes in order to read simple words.
• Read phonically decodable one-syllable and two-syllable words, e.g. cat, sand, windmill.
• Read a selection of nonsense words which are referred to as pseudo words.

5. What are Nonsense or Pseudo Words and why are they included?

These are words that are phonically decodable but are not actual words with an associated meaning e.g. brip, snorb. Pseudo words are included in the check specifically to assess whether your child can decode a word using phonics skills and not their memory.

The pseudo words will be shown to your child with a picture of an alien and they will be asked to tell their teacher what sort of alien it is by reading the word. This not only makes the check a bit more fun, but provides the children with a context for the nonsense word which is independent from any existing vocabulary they may have. Crucially, it does not provide any clues, so your child just has to be able to decode it. Children generally find nonsense amusing so they will probably enjoy reading these words.

6.Is there a Pass Mark?

While there is a pass mark, the check is not about passing or failing, but checking appropriate progress is being made. If children do not reach the required standard, then the teacher will be in touch to discuss plans and offer additional, tailored support to ensure that your child can catch up. Children progress at different speeds so not reaching the threshold score does not necessarily mean there is a serious problem. Your child will re-sit the check the following summer term.

7. What happens to the Results?

The school will report your child’s results to you by the end of the summer term as well as to the local authority, but the results won’t be published in a league table as with SATs. If you have any concerns, do talk to your teacher about this in a parents’ meeting or after school.

8. Do all schools and children have to participate?

All schools and academies in England must take part in the phonics screening check unless they are an independent school. There is a process in place for reviewing children with special educational needs, so if your child’s teacher thinks there are very special reasons related to your child and their needs that make them think the phonics screening check may not be appropriate, they will decide on appropriate action and discuss this with you.

9. What should I do if my child is struggling to decode a word?

• Prompt your child to use their reading routine (they are familiar with this as we use it everyday when reading). 

The reading routine

• Spot the letter group(s) in the word e.g. in the word charm the letter groups are /ch/ and /ar/. 
• Sound talk e.g. /ch/ /ar/ /m/
• Blend the sound sound together to read the whole word.

Below are some resources that you can use at home with your child to prepare them for the phonics screening check. You can also login to Phonics Play using our school account details (please ask your child's class teacher for these).