Statutory guidance

Phonics screening check administration guidance

Guidance for headteachers, teachers and school staff administering and scoring the phonics screening check in key stage 1.

From:
Standards and Testing Agency
Published
31 March 2016
Last updated
1 May 2025 — See all updates

Documents

2025 phonics screening check: administration guidance

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Details

We will update this guidance in March 2026 for the academic year 2025 to 2026.

Use this information to:

  • understand your statutory requirements relating to the phonics screening check
  • plan for the check
  • administer the check
  • submit your school’s check results

Updates to this page

Published 31 March 2016
Last updated 1 May 2025 show all updates

  1. In section 8.5 'Pupils who do not meet the expected standard', updated link to latest DfE guidance on supporting pupils in phonics.

  2. Updated guidance for the academic year 2024 to 2025

  3. Updated guidance for administering the phonics screening check in June 2024.

  4. Updated for the 2023 test cycle.

  5. Updated guidance for the academic year

  6. Updated to remove cancellation of 2021 assessment information.

  7. Updated for the 2019 test cycle.

  8. 2018 phonics screening check threshold mark added

  9. Updated for the 2018 test cycle.

  10. 2017 threshold included

  11. Updated for the 2017 test cycle.

  12. 2016 phonics screening check threshold mark added.

  13. First published.

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