During the Summer term in Year 1, the Department for Education requires us to test our children on their phonics knowledge. The test helps us to identify children who have gaps in their phonic knowledge and may need further support in Year 2. The children are tested individually by someone they are familiar with. They are asked to read 40 words from a list, using their phonics to sound out the word and then blend the sounds. This is a mix of real words and made-up words known as ‘alien’ words.  Parents are informed as to whether their child has achieved the national pass rate and whether they will need continued support for phonics in Year 2.