Phonics

Children are initially taught to spell using their phonic knowledge. Children begin Read Write Inc. (RWI) in Nursery and progress through the sequence until the term before they move to full time school.

Phonics Screening Test

What is the Year 1 phonics screening check?

The National phonics screening check is a statutory assessment that was introduced in 2012 to all Year 1 pupils and is a quick and easy check of a child’s phonic knowledge. All year 1 pupils (with the possible exception) will take the phonics screening check in June each year.
The screening check 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.  There are two sections in this 40-word check, 20 real words and 20 nonsense (alien) words, and it assesses phonics skills and knowledge learned through Reception and Year 1. 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.  Children that are working towards the current age related pass mark will be required to re‐take the assessment in year 2.

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.

There will be a few practice words first to make sure your child understands the activity.

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.

For further information about the phonics screening test, or ways in which you can further support your child at home, please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher.

How We Approach Phonics

There is a large emphasis on the phonics check in year 1. In addition to daily phonic sessions and to ensure that children are prepared for the check, we provide;

• A Read Write Inc “Alien Word” check and termly mock phonic check – in November, February and April – to track children’s ability to read taught graphemes and alien words with these graphemes and identify individuals/groups that need additional support.
• A Read Write Inc assessment at the end of each half term to ensure children have made progress and are in a group suited to their ability.
• An additional afternoon speed sound session in year 1 to teach any gaps in children’s sound knowledge following assessments.
• Afternoon interventions delivered on a 1:1 basis for children falling below the age related expectations to “keep up” the pace of learning. They are led by a teaching assistant and monitored regularly by the reading leader
• Regular information to parents e.g. phonics check leaflet, home activities etc
• Tight tracking by the KS1 leader/phonics lead to ensure that all of the above is in place and an impact is being made through smart action planning
• Children who still require quality first phonics in KS2 do so in small groups with support from a teaching assistant.