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What phonics phase is Year 1?
In Year 1, children work through Phase 5 of phonics. By now they can read and spell many words by blending and segmenting, and Phase 5 builds on that with new spellings, trickier words and faster, more confident reading. Every child moves at their own pace, so it's fine to be at a slightly different point from others in the class.
Phase 5 usually runs across the whole of Year 1. Children cover Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Reception beforehand, and Phase 6 follows in Year 2. Year 1 is also the year children take the phonics screening check, which you can read about further down the page. Play the Phase 5 games below - lots of them are free to play.
The Year 1 phonics screening check
Towards the end of Year 1, usually in June, children in England take the phonics screening check. It is a short, relaxed activity that a teacher or teaching assistant carries out one-to-one, and it simply checks how well a child can use their phonics to read words on their own.
The check is made up of 40 words, split into two sections of 20. Each section mixes real words with nonsense words - made-up words shown next to a friendly cartoon alien so children know they are not real. Reading these shows whether a child can sound out and blend words they have never seen before, rather than relying on memory. There is no time limit, and it usually takes under ten minutes.
It is not a test children can "fail". The results simply help teachers see who is doing well and who would benefit from a little more practice. The mark needed is set nationally each year and was 31 out of 40 in 2026. Children who do not yet meet the expected standard are given extra support and take the check again in Year 2.
Games are a friendly way to prepare. Reading nonsense and alien words in a game builds exactly the decoding skill the check looks for, without any pressure. You can also read more about the phonics screening check.
For Year 1 teachers
Every game runs full-screen on your interactive whiteboard - ideal for whole-class teaching, small groups or a quick starter. There are free games to play with no pupil logins needed to get going, so you can drop them straight into a phonics lesson.
They work well for revisiting Phase 5 graphemes, for screening check practice with real and nonsense words, and for intervention groups who need a little extra time. A short game also makes a handy lesson starter or plenary, or something children can play independently.
Ready to play? Jump to Phase 5 games.
For parents, at home
Year 1 children are usually 5-6 years old. These games make practising phonics at home feel like play - short, colourful and encouraging - helping your child keep building their reading between school sessions.
Little and often works best. Even five or ten minutes of reading and playing together can make a difference, and it is a gentle way to prepare for the screening check without any pressure. The aim is always to build confidence and enjoyment.
Want to understand the bigger picture? Read the phonics phases explained.
What happens in Year 1 phonics?
In Year 1, phonics carries on in a clear, planned order, building on everything children learnt in Reception. Rather than mostly meeting brand-new sounds for the first time, they learn new ways to spell those sounds and plenty of new words to read.
Through Phase 5, children add alternative spellings and pronunciations, tackle longer and trickier words, and practise reading made-up words too. In the summer term they take the phonics screening check, which looks at how well they can use these skills to read on their own.
The big shift in Year 1 is towards reading more automatically. As words become familiar, children sound them out less and read more smoothly, and regular, gentle practice helps them grow steadily in confidence right across the year.
Year 1 phonics: quick questions
What phonics phase is Year 1?
Year 1 children work through Phase 5 during the year. Phases 2, 3 and 4 are covered in Reception, and Phase 6 follows in Year 2. Every child moves at their own pace, so it's fine to be at a slightly different point from others in the class.
What is the phonics screening check?
It is a short, one-to-one activity that takes place in the summer term of Year 1, usually in June. A child reads 40 words aloud to a teacher, and it checks how well they can use their phonics to read on their own. There is no time limit and it usually takes under ten minutes.
What are nonsense or alien words?
Nonsense words (sometimes called alien words) are made-up words like vap or jound that still follow phonics rules. In the screening check they are shown next to a cartoon alien so children know they are not real. Reading them shows a child can sound out words they have not seen before, rather than remembering them.
What is a split digraph?
A split digraph is two letters that work together to make one vowel sound, but which have a consonant sitting between them. In cake, the a and e work together to make the long a sound, even though the k sits in the middle. Split digraphs are introduced in Phase 5.
What score does my child need in the screening check?
The mark needed is set nationally each year and was 31 out of 40 in 2026. It is not really a pass or fail, though - the results simply help teachers plan support. Children who do not yet meet the standard get extra help and take the check again in Year 2.
How can I help my child at home?
Little and often works well. Read together every day, play a few phonics games, and try sounding out the odd nonsense word for fun. Keeping it relaxed and enjoyable is the best way to build confidence, both for reading and for the screening check.