At Three Bridges Primary School, we follow the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to teach phonics. This starts at the beginning of Reception and continues throughout the school until the children are secure in their phonics knowledge and can read fluently. For more information about the scheme and how to support your child at home, please click on the link below:

RWI Phonics: A guide for parents

Year 1 Phonics Screening check

In Year 1, the children will take part in the statutory phonics screening check. The phonics screening check is used to make sure children have learned phonics at the right level for their age. It checks whether children can sound out and read words using their phonics skills. This includes both real words and made-up (nonsense/ alien) words.

What does the check involve?
Each child reads 40 words in total:

• 20 real words
• 20 made-up words

They read these one-to-one with a teacher in school.

How can parents help?
You can support your child by:

• Reading together regularly
• Using phonics or decodable reading books
• Practising phonics sounds at home

When does it happen?
Most children take the check in Year 1. The exact dates are set each year and can be found on the government website.

For more information, please see the attached UK government guidance on the phonics screening check.

Each year, in the spring term, the phonics lead holds a parent meeting about the phonics screening check and how you can support at home.

Below you will see a letter containing further information about phonics in our school and information for each group. If you would like this information in another language, please contact the school and we will be happy to support you.

Happy reading!