Phonics Screening Check Results: What They Mean

Published 2026-07-14

Your child's phonics screening check results have come home, and you're not sure what the number means. Here's a plain-English guide to understanding the score and what happens next.

What the Result Actually Tells You

The phonics screening check is scored out of 40. Schools report whether your child met the expected standard — usually a score of 32 or above. You may be told the standard was "met" or "not yet met", and sometimes the actual score. It measures one specific thing: how well your child can decode words using phonics.

If Your Child Met the Standard

Great — it means their phonics decoding is on track. Keep the reading habit going and there's nothing extra to worry about. Fluency and comprehension are the next things to build, which our guide on daily reading practice covers.

If Your Child Didn't Meet the Standard

First, don't panic — this is a checkpoint, not a verdict. Children who don't meet it in Year 1 simply retake it in Year 2, with extra phonics support in between. Many children just need a little more time for phonics to click.

What the school will do

Your child will get targeted phonics help through Year 2 and retake the check the following June.

What you can do at home

Short, playful sounding-out practice makes a big difference. Focus on blending sounds and reading simple words aloud. Our phonics screening check guide and common exception words guide both help.

Keep Confidence High

A "not yet met" result can knock a child's confidence if they sense disappointment. Keep things positive — phonics is a skill that develops at different rates, and a slower start says nothing about your child's overall ability or intelligence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the phonics screening check score mean?

The check is scored out of 40, and the expected standard is usually 32 or above. Schools report whether your child met the standard, which shows how well they can decode words using phonics.

What happens if my child doesn't pass the phonics check?

There's no 'fail'. Children who don't meet the standard in Year 1 receive extra phonics support and retake the check in Year 2. Many just need a little more time.

How can I help my child improve their phonics?

Short, playful practice sounding out and blending words aloud makes a real difference. Focus on decoding simple and nonsense words, and keep learning common exception words.