Education Digital Downloads: Phonics screening check - Pupil materials Get 20% OFF across the Scholastic Shop

The phonics screening test was introduced in 2012 as part of a drive to improve reading standards. It is administered to all Year 1 children as a way of assessing whether their phonics decoding skills are age-appropriate, and identifying those children who need extra help.

Why not have a trial run with our practice materials. The check consists of 20 real words and 20 pseudo-words which a child reads aloud with a teacher. The pseudo-words are included to give children a chance to demonstrate, by being able to read them, that they have a good understanding of the underlying phonics rules.

The test is made up of two sections: the first having simpler word structures of three or four letters, and the second comprising more complex word structures of five or six letters. Before starting the test itself, children have an opportunity to read some practice words (both real and pseudo-words) to familiarise them with what they have to do. Each of the pseudo-words is shown with a picture of an alien alongside to make it clear that it doesn’t matter that they don’t make sense.

Please note this is a digital-only product. You will receive an email containing a link to download your product after purchase.