Welcome to our Phonics check meeting

What is the phonics check? When does it take place? Where? Who? (Adults and children) What does it assess? How does it work? The check will take place in the week beginning 13th June. The check will be administered in a quiet working environment in school. The check will be administered by a teacher (not a Teaching Assistant) known to the child. The check assesses a child’s phonetic knowledge. Children sit with the teacher and are asked to read the words (real and made up) aloud. There is no strict time limit and your child will already be familiar with doing similar exercises and so should not feel uncomfortable doing the check.

Decoding strategies Above are some examples of how children use phonics to decode words. Children identify sounds that may be made up from one letter or a string of letters.

Phonics check resources In school we are using a range of materials that are similar in style to the phonics check materials. This ensures children are familiar with, for example, reading aloud nonsense words (or monster words).

After the test…. What do the results ‘look like?’ How is it reported? What happens if my child doesn’t pass? Who is it reported to? Every year, a threshold will be set nationally that will determine whether your child has met the expected standard. We do not yet know what that is, although we can predict roughly what this will be from previous years. You will receive a letter from school saying what your child’s score was and whether this met the expected standard. Every year, some children nationally do not meet the standard. These children get the chance to do the check again the following year. In school, we are continually assessing children and know which children need extra support with phonics. This is already being provided in small group situations. Our schools results for phonics is used to measure us against other schools

How we teach phonics at Bournebrook How phonics teaching is taught in Key Stage 1 How we prepare for the Phonics check Children are taught phonics using the Letters and Sounds programme. Children work in a variety of ways, for example, whole class reading from flashcards and phonics games. We prepare children for the check by ensuring they are familiar with the type of material they will come across in the check and practising daily.

The importance of parental support Homework Reading Phonics support pack We value parental support. Your help with homework and reading makes a big difference to your child’s learning. Remember, reading does not have to be your child’s school book – we value any type of reading and all reading can be noted in your child’s diary. We have this year produced a pack of materials for parents to use at home. We recommend five or ten minutes daily, rather than a long session weekly. Please ask your child’s class teacher if you need any of the materials explaining. If you do not have a pack, please see the class teacher.

Our phonics pack contains… Contents page Information sheet about the phonics check Phonics check strategies to use (2 sheets) Sound mats sheets Examples of phonics check flashcards Glossary of terms Flashcards of consonant clusters and longer words Words that might trip up children