The 2026 phonics screening check ran in June 2026, and it made history in a small way: the threshold mark was 31 out of 40, the first change since the check began in 2012. Every year before that, a child needed 32.
Results were up too. Department for Education figures published on 8 October 2026 show 82% of Year 1 pupils met the expected standard, up from 80% in 2025, and 89% had met it by the end of Year 2.
2026 results at a glance
| Measure | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Threshold mark | 31 / 40 | 32 / 40 |
| Year 1 pupils meeting the standard | 82% | 80% |
| Met by the end of Year 2 | 89% | 89% |
| Girls (Year 1) | 86% | 84% |
| Boys (Year 1) | 78% | 76% |
Source: Department for Education, Phonics screening check attainment, academic year 2025/26; Standards and Testing Agency, 2026 phonics screening check materials.
The 2026 words
The 2026 paper was published on 22 June 2026. Its alien words include phime, gloast and splace, and it finishes with orbits, kicking and smoother. Here they are split into alien and real; for all 40 in the order children read them, ready to print, see the 2026 paper, word by word.
Alien words, 2026
- ips
- jad
- tep
- kib
- qued
- shars
- dorl
- vaff
- zint
- veest
- crort
- skop
- phime
- jair
- yurp
- plute
- grusp
- gloast
- splace
- scrant
Real words, 2026
- shed
- lock
- foot
- chess
- clip
- drill
- junk
- quilt
- low
- clean
- dirt
- theme
- craft
- grains
- scram
- splits
- eaten
- orbits
- kicking
- smoother
Why the threshold changed
The threshold reflects the standard a child should reach by the end of Year 1, and it's set after each check. Because every year's words are new, the mark can move a little from year to year to keep that standard the same; in 2026, for the first time, it did. It doesn't mean the check got easier on purpose, and the 2027 mark could be 31, 32 or something else: it's announced on 28 June 2027.
What it means if your child is in Year 1 now
Your child takes the check in June 2027: check week is 14 to 18 June 2027. Don't plan around a particular number. A child who can confidently read every sound in a past paper will be comfortably above any threshold in the low 30s.
Questions parents ask
What was the phonics screening check pass mark in 2026?
31 out of 40. It was the first change since the check began in 2012; the threshold had been 32 every year until then.
How many children passed the phonics check in 2026?
82% of Year 1 pupils in England met the expected standard in 2026, and 89% had met it by the end of Year 2.
Is the 2026 phonics check paper available?
Yes. The Standards and Testing Agency published the 2026 pupils' materials, answer sheet and scoring guidance on GOV.UK on 22 June 2026.