Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-screening-check-assessment-and-reporting-arrangements-ara

Change description : 2026-03-23 09:30:00: Updated date in the ‘Important dates’ section, for clarification: Local authorities carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools Monday 1 June to Friday 26 June (previously shown as Monday 1 June to Friday 16 June). For full details, please refer to section 5.9, which explains that local authorities will carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools between Monday 1 June and Friday 19 June but that, in some circumstances, a local authority may be able to conduct a monitoring visit after 19 June, up until Friday 26 June. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-09-29 08:31:31.597136936 +00:00..2026-03-23 09:31:11.344845819 +00:00

Statutory guidance

Phonics screening check: assessment and reporting arrangements (ARA)

Statutory guidance for assessing and reporting the phonics screening check at key stage 1 (KS1).

From:
Standards and Testing Agency
Published
1 October 2024
Last updated
2923 SeptemberMarch 20252026 — See all updates

Documents

2026 phonics screening check assessment and reporting arrangements

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Details

Following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report and the associated government response, future assessment arrangements are under review in line with the relevant recommendations. Assessment arrangements for the academic year 2025 to 2026 will remain unchanged.

This guidance is for schools, local authorities and governing bodies responsible for the phonics screening check.

The arrangements apply to maintained schools, maintained special schools, academies, free schools, Ministry of Defence (MoD) schools and participating independent schools with pupils in KS1.

Updates to this page

Published 1 October 2024
Last updated 2923 SeptemberMarch 20252026 + show all updates

  1. Updated date in the 'Important dates' section, for clarification: Local authorities carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools Monday 1 June to Friday 26 June (previously shown as Monday 1 June to Friday 16 June). For full details, please refer to section 5.9, which explains that local authorities will carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools between Monday 1 June and Friday 19 June but that, in some circumstances, a local authority may be able to conduct a monitoring visit after 19 June, up until Friday 26 June.

  2. Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026.

  3. First published.

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Update history

2026-03-23 09:30
Updated date in the ‘Important dates’ section, for clarification: Local authorities carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools Monday 1 June to Friday 26 June (previously shown as Monday 1 June to Friday 16 June). For full details, please refer to section 5.9, which explains that local authorities will carry out monitoring visits to a sample of schools between Monday 1 June and Friday 19 June but that, in some circumstances, a local authority may be able to conduct a monitoring visit after 19 June, up until Friday 26 June.

2025-09-29 09:30
Updated for the academic year 2025 to 2026.

2024-10-01 09:30
First published.