The truth about
The Phonics Screening Check

• Year 1: Summer term Phonics Screening Check (repeated in year 2 for those children who fail in year 1)
• The test is imposed on schools by government. 85% of heads and two-thirds of teachers are against it
• The results are used to judge schools so more time is spent on phonics than other teaching methods
• The check’s nonsense words test children’s decoding skills, not their reading ability
• 89% of heads and 94% of teachers believe the test provides no useful additional information about pupils
• 20% of children – disproportionately those from disadvantaged backgrounds – fail the test and must re-sit a year later

Research: Newman University; UCL IoE