Phonics screening check 2027
The phonics screening check is a short, individual reading check in England, with 40 real and made-up words, taken by Year 1 children and eligible Year 2 pupils during 14–18 June 2027. Support it with school-taught sounds and oral blending at home, and try free spelling practice alongside that reading.
Ten words, read aloud. No name, sign-up or payment needed.
Published and updated .
Best for Year 1 parents planning gentle home support
Use this guide to understand what happens and what to ask your child's teacher. It also helps families whose Year 2 child is taking the check again. Ask which sounds and decodable books the class is using, so home reading follows the same sequence.
The check helps teachers identify pupils who need extra help with decoding: turning written letters and letter groups into sounds, then blending those sounds into a word. It does not assess every part of reading, such as understanding a story or explaining a character's feelings.
Official 2027 dates
These dates come from the 2027 STA assessment and reporting arrangements, section 3. Your school will organise your child's day within the permitted period.
| Date | Event | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 14–18 June 2027 | Main check week | Schools administer the check during this week. |
| 21–25 June 2027 | Timetable variation week | Pupils absent throughout the main week can take the check in this period. |
| 28 June 2027 | Threshold and materials published | STA publishes the 2027 threshold mark and check materials on GOV.UK. |
The 2027 threshold is not yet published as of this guide's update on 2 November 2026. Wait for STA's 28 June announcement; previous years' marks do not confirm this year's threshold.
What happens with the teacher?
Your child reads aloud one-to-one with a teacher known to them. There are 20 real words and 20 pseudo-words across two sections. Allow approximately 5–10 minutes as a rough guide; existing STA administration guidance estimates 4–9 minutes, with no time limit. The 2027 arrangements say the updated administration guidance will be published in March.
A pseudo-word is an invented, decodable word. It checks whether a child can apply letter-sound knowledge to something unfamiliar. An imaginary creature appears beside each pseudo-word to signal that it has no ordinary meaning. Encourage your child to blend the sounds rather than guess a similar real word.
In schools covered by the arrangements, Year 1 pupils normally take the check. Year 2 pupils who have never taken it, or did not meet the expected standard in 2026, also take it in June 2027. The headteacher follows the participation guidance for pupils unable to access the check. Speak to the school about adjustments or participation questions.
How to help with oral blending at home
Start without print: say /s/ /u/ /n/ and ask your child to blend the sounds into sun. Then show the written word and point from left to right as you read it together. Oral blending joins spoken sounds; decoding adds the step of recognising the written letters. Use your school's pronunciation and taught sounds.
| Step | Try together | Helpful detail |
|---|---|---|
| Say the sounds | For sun, say /s/ /u/ /n/, then blend them into sun. | Use the sounds taught at school. Keep /s/ and /n/ clear rather than adding an extra 'uh' sound. |
| Keep a letter group together | For ship, identify sh, i, p: three sounds represented by four letters. | Sh represents one sound. Point to the whole group as you say it, then blend from left to right. |
| Blend an unfamiliar word | Our made-up example zim can be blended /z/ /i/ /m/. | Explain that it is an invented word with no meaning. Accept the blended sounds rather than changing it into a familiar word. |
| Read in context afterwards | Read a school-matched sentence such as 'The sun is hot.' | Use only words and letter-sound correspondences already taught, including any common exception words in the sentence. |
Read a little from a decodable book supplied or recommended by school. If a word feels difficult, model its sounds, blend together and move on. Praise the attempt to work through the sounds. Stop while your child is comfortable; there is no home score to reach. Keep enjoying stories you read aloud too, so books offer more than decoding practice.
Where Spellito spelling practice fits
Reading starts with a printed word and works towards its spoken form. Spelling starts with a spoken word and works towards its written form. Spellito reads a word in a sentence for your child to spell, so it offers complementary practice. It does not simulate or score the phonics screening check.
The Year 1 common exception words guide helps you follow the words taught by your school's phonics programme. Some contain letter-sound matches children have not learnt yet; memorising that list alone will not cover the check's decoding task. For a younger child, see the Reception spelling and phonics guide or try current Reception spelling practice. Choose words that fit what school has already taught.
Want your child's own school words, hints and saved progress? Family Pass is £9 for 12 months for up to five children, with no automatic renewal.
What should I ask after the check?
The school shares your child's result and explains any further support. Ask which letter-sound correspondences need revisiting, which books to use at home, and when you will discuss progress again. A screening result alone does not diagnose a reading difficulty. If you are concerned about reading, talk to the class teacher or school SENCO about the wider picture.
Read the STA information for parents for the format and purpose, and the 2027 arrangements, sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.8 and 5.10 for current participation, timing and reporting rules. The home examples in this guide are our own, not check materials.
Frequently asked questions
When is the phonics screening check in 2027?
The main check week in England is 14–18 June 2027. The timetable variation week for pupils absent during the main week is 21–25 June. STA will publish the 2027 threshold mark and check materials on 28 June 2027.
How many words are in the phonics screening check?
There are 40 words: 20 real words and 20 pseudo-words. Children read them aloud one-to-one with a teacher known to them. Allow approximately 5–10 minutes as a rough guide; existing STA administration guidance estimates 4–9 minutes, with no time limit.
Who takes the check in Year 2?
In schools covered by the arrangements, Year 2 pupils take the June 2027 check if they have not taken it before or did not meet the expected standard in 2026. The school decides whether a pupil can access the check under the official participation guidance and can explain any exception.
What is the pass mark for the 2027 phonics screening check?
The 2027 threshold has not been published as of 2 November 2026. STA says it will publish the mark on 28 June 2027. A previous year's threshold should not be treated as the confirmed 2027 mark.
Can Spellito prepare my child for the phonics screening check?
Spellito offers complementary spelling practice: a child hears a word and writes or builds its spelling. The phonics screening check asks children to read printed real and pseudo-words aloud. Spellito does not simulate or score the screening check. Follow your school's phonics programme for decoding and blending practice.
Clear annual pricing
Start free. Pay only when the family extras help.
A child can practise ten built-in words without entering their name, making an account or paying. Family Pass is the optional complete home product.
Basic practice
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- Ten-word curriculum practice
- Hear each word in a sentence
- Clear correction and another try
Complete home tools
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- Up to five child profiles
- Buddies, hints and private progress
- Parent-entered home lists, SATs papers and cross-device sync
- Paper spelling tests and family duels
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