Guidance

Phonics screening data collection 2021: technical specification

This document defines the scope of, and business rationale for, the phonics screening check data collection 2021.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 24 December 2020
• Last updated: 16 June 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 16 June 2021

     Added the 'Autumn term 2021 phonics screening check: technical specification'.

  2. 25 January 2021

     Added information about the cancellation of the 2021 phonics screening check.

  3. 24 December 2020

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Autumn term 2021 phonics screening check 2021: technical specification

PDF, 251 KB, 20 pages

Details

This specification is intended for:

• suppliers developing software for use in management information systems (MIS)
• local authorities collecting and submitting the phonics screening check data collection

It contains:

• the business rationale for the return
• changes to the 2021 return
• assessment module descriptions
• methods for importing data into local authorities’ information systems
• XML formats and messages
• validation check information

This guide must be read in conjunction with the current version of the common basic data set (CBDS).