The National phonics screening check is a statutory assessment that was introduced in 2012 to all Year One pupils and is a quick and easy check of your child's phonic knowledge.  It comprises of a list of 40 real words and nonsense words.  It will assess the phonic skills and knowledge learnt through Reception and Year One.  Your child will read one-to-one during their assessment.  The check will last approximately 10-15 minutes.  They will be asked to 'sound out' a word and blend the sounds together.  The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonic lessons.  

Please see the list of sounds the children learn: 

Speed Sounds Set 1

m, a, s, d, t, i, n, p, g, o, c, k, u, b, f, e, l, h, sh, r, j, v, y, w, th, z, ch, qu, x, ng, nk

Set 2 sounds

ay may I play

ee what can you see

igh fly high

ow blow the snow

oo poo at the zoo

oo look at a book

ar start the car

or shut the door

air that’s not fair

ir whirl and twirl

ou shout it out

oy toy for a boy

Set 3 sounds

ea cup of tea

oi spoil the boy

a-e make a cake

i-e nice smile

o-e phone home

u-e huge brute

aw yawn at dawn

are share and care

ur purse for a nurse

er a better letter

ow brown cow

ai snail in the rain

oa goat in a boat

ew chew the stew

ire fire fire!

ear hear with your ear

ure sure it’s pure?

tion celebration

tious

cious scrumptious / delicious

e he me we she b

Additional set 3 sounds

au Paul the Astronaut

ie terrible tie

e-e go Pete and Steve

ue come to the rescue

kn knock knock, who’s there?

ck tick tock clock

wh whisk whisk

ph take a photo

Please see previous tests for guidance.