2. Children are taught to read by breaking down words into separate sounds or ‘phonemes’. They are then taught how to blend these sounds together to read the whole word. Children have a 20 minute discrete phonics lesson each day and they are encouraged to use the strategies they practise in these lessons to read and write in other lessons. There are around 40 different sounds.

4. The phonics screening check began in 2012. Every Year 1 child in the country now takes the check each June. This year it will be taking place during the week beginning 13 th June. The aim of the check is to ensure that all children are able to read by the end of year two. This ‘midpoint check’ will ensure that we have a clear understanding of what the children need to learn in year 2.

5. The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonics lessons, and all children have been shown examples of the screening, which we have worked through together. Children will be asked to ‘sound out’ a word and blend the sounds together. E.g. d-o-g : dog The focus of the check is to see which sounds the children know and therefore the children will be asked to read made up ‘nonsense’ words as well as real words. THIS IS NOT A READING TEST

6. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo ads/attachment_data/file/324044/STA147079e.pdf

7. The screening will take place throughout the week beginning Monday 13 th June. The children cannot retake the test at any other time so it is very important your child is in school during this week. The check has been designed so that children of all abilities will be able to take part.

8. The children will complete the check one at a time in a quiet area of the school. The screening will only take 5-15 minutes for most children. Miss Waggett will conduct all of the screening checks with the children. Every child in Year 1 has been taught by Miss Waggett for phonics for at least one term this year, so she is a familiar adult to all.

9. It is not yet known what the pass mark will be. In previous years it has been 32/40, but we will not be informed until all results are in. You will know by the end of the summer term whether your child has met the “expected standard” or not. If your child has not met the expected standard we will inform you of the support that will be put in place in Year 2 to help them progress. Children who do not meet the expected standard will take the test again in Year 2.

10. Do not worry about the phonics screening check! Also: REMEMBER: Phonics is not the only thing needed to become a fluent reader. Please continue to read with your child each night and encourage them to: Sound out Re-read to check it makes sense. Use pictures for clues. Ask questions about the book. And most importantly ENJOY READING!