Teachers and leaders in schools with children in Key Stage 1 are reminded that the window for administering the Phonics Screening Check (PSC) is in mid-June.

Guidance from the STA covers the following:

  • Headteachers’ responsibilities
  • Maladministration
  • Participating pupils, including
    • any who should not take the check
  • Receiving and storing check materials, including
    • practical advice for keeping materials secure
  • Preparing to administer the check, including
    • preparation of staff,
    • preparing the room(s) being used
    • access arrangements
  • Administering the check, including
    • the language teachers should use
    • completing the answer sheet
    • scoring the check
  • After the check
  • Reporting check results

The guidance can be found at 2024 phonics screening check: administration guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

As part of the LAs role, a member of the PACE team will visit schools to ensure compliance with this guidance.

If the PACE is in school when checks are being completed, they should observe a small sample of children complete the PSC. Where this is possible, they will endeavour to be discrete and work with the school ti ensure there is minimal impact on pupils (if any).

In all visits, the PACE will look at the school’s arrangements including storage and security and how teachers have been prepared to administer the tests.

Many thanks in advance for the cooperation of staff at the schools we visit. 

For more information contact Vincent Hampton

Email: vincent.hampton@derby.gov.uk 

Telephone Number: 07552 860224