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Phonics screening check

A short statutory check in Year 1 in England in which each child reads 40 words, including some pseudo-words, to show they can decode using phonics. Children who do not meet the standard retake it in Year 2.

Also called
PSC
Used in
England
Topic
Assessment

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

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Systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) England
A method of teaching reading in which children learn letter-sound correspondences in a planned order and blend sounds to read words. Schools in England are expected to use a validated SSP programme.
Pseudo-words All four UK nations (details may differ)
Made-up words, often called alien words, used in phonics teaching and the phonics screening check to test decoding.
Key Stage 1 (KS1) England Northern Ireland
In England, Years 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 7). In Northern Ireland, Key Stage 1 is Primary 3 and 4 (after the Foundation Stage in P1 and P2).

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Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.