PHONIC SCREENING 2025 PAPER

PHONIC SCREENING 2025 PAPER

Emma Francis May 12, 2026


Official 2025 paper (pupil booklet):

2025 Phonics Screening Check (PDF)

The phonics screening check is a short, one-to-one reading assessment that all children in Year 1 in England take in June. It helps teachers see how well children can use phonics to read words by sounding them out. The check includes 40 words: a mix of real words and made-up (“alien” or pseudo) words. Children read these aloud to a familiar adult in school, and it usually takes around 5–10 minutes.  

Parents can help by:

  • Practising sounding out and blending words
  • Encouraging children to try “nonsense” words using phonics rather than guessing from pictures
  • Keeping practice relaxed and positive
  • Make sure they know the ”special friend” sounds