Year 1 Phonics Screening

What does phonics look like? Children have a 20 mins phonics lesson each day and they are encouraged to use these strategies to read and write in other lessons. Children are taught in phases. They progress though stages 2 – 6, where the sounds get progressively harder.

Why are the children being screened? Every year 1 child in the country will be taking the phonics screening check in the same week in June. The aim of the check is to ensure that all children are able to read by the end of year 2. This ‘midpoint check’ will ensure that we have a clear understanding of what the children need to learn in year 2. Year 2 children who did not meet the standard last year will have to re-take the phonics screening again. Phonics interventions have been put in place to help children meet this standard.

When will the screening take place? The screening will take place throughout the week beginning Monday 12th 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.

Who will complete the check? The children will complete the check one at a time in a quiet area of the school. The screening will be conducted by the same member of staff to ensure consistency and this will be a familiar teacher to them. The screening will take about 5-10mins with each child.

What will happen after the test What will happen after the test? You will be informed in your child’s report about how your child has done in the phonics screening check. Any child who does not reach the standard will be re-tested in June 2018 Year 2 children who do not meet the standard will not take the test again in Year 3.

Scoring the test We are unable to give any prompts – point along a word, ask children to have another look at a letter e.g. mixing b/d/p or remind to blend. Children can sound out the word but then must say it as a word with no gaps between sounds. We must take your child’s final answer even if they initially get the word correct e.g. blurst-burst crips-crisps The pass mark is usually around 32 but is now withheld until after the screening takes place.

How can you help? Encourage your child to use their sound mat when writing and use their actions to find the sound they need. Children can practise their phonics by playing games online. The children particularly like ‘Buried Treasure’ http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/BuriedTreasure2.html

How can you help? And most importantly ENJOY READING! REMEMBER: Phonics is not the only thing needed to become a fluent reader. Please continue to read with your child at home and encourage them to: Sound out. Re-read to check it makes sense. Use pictures for clues. Ask questions about the book and complete AR quizzes. And most importantly ENJOY READING!

Year 2 Assessments In the summer term 2017, children at the end of Key Stage 1 will complete end of year assessments. At the end of Year 2, children will complete assessments in: Reading English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) Maths The assessments will be administered throughout the month of May 2017. The tests are set externally, but will be marked by teachers within the school. 

Key stage 1 grammar, spelling and punctuation (GPS) Children taking Key Stage 1 SATs will sit two separate papers in grammar, spelling and punctuation:   Paper 1: a 20-word spelling test taking approximately 15 minutes and worth 10 marks. Paper 2: a grammar, punctuation and vocabulary test, in two sections of around 10 minutes each (with a break between, if necessary), worth 20 marks. This will involve a mixture of selecting the right answers e.g. through multiple choice, and writing short answers.

Key Stage 1 Reading and maths   Reading: The reading test will involve two separate papers. They will need to read a piece of text and answer questions on it. Maths: The maths test will comprise of two papers: Paper 1: arithmetic, worth 25 marks and taking around 15 minutes. Paper 2: mathematical fluency, problem-solving and reasoning, worth 35 marks and taking 35 minutes, with a break if necessary.

Practice papers for the KS1 1 2017 assessments: The Department for Education has produced some sample papers for teachers, which you can look through to understand what kind of questions will be asked. Visit DFE website for sample assessment materials. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum-assessments-2016-sample-materials

Questions?