About the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
The Phonics Screening Check is a short check that most children in England take towards the end of Year 1. It helps schools understand how securely children can use phonics to read words.
What’s the Phonics Screening Check?
The Phonics Screening Check is a short check that most children in England take towards the end of Year 1 (ages 5–6). It helps schools understand how securely children can use phonics to read words.
Children read 40 words aloud to a teacher: 20 real words and 20 made-up (“alien”) words. It usually takes just a few minutes.
The Expected Standard
There is an expected standard (a set score decided each year — for example, the threshold mark was 32 out of 40 in 2025). Children are typically described as meeting or not yet meeting that standard.
If a child doesn’t meet the expected standard in Year 1, they’ll usually be given extra support and take the check again in Year 2.
Why Alien Words?
The alien words are included to check children are sounding out using phonics, rather than recognising words from memory — and they’re shown with a little alien picture so children know it’s a made-up word.
Official Information
For official guidance on the Phonics Screening Check, visit GOV.UK:
- Information for parents: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-screening-check-information-for-parents
- Materials (practice / familiarisation): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-screening-check-2025-materials
- Future assessment dates: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/primary-assessments-future-dates
Further Reading
- What is phonics? A complete guide for parents and teachers
- How to prepare for the Phonics Screening Check
- All 44 phonics sounds in English
This is an independent practice app made by Kindling and is not affiliated with the Department for Education.