Phonics test resit for Year 3 pupils scrapped

Retakes for Year 3 phonics screening has been scrapped by the government after pupils failed for the third time.

The Department of Education (DfE) has stated that phonic test retakes will not take place after almost half of pupils failed for the third time, following a trial.

The DfE phonics pilot project, which was published yesterday, February 2, showed that about half of seven and eight-year-olds that failed the phonics check did not meet the standards on the second test.

In addition, more than a third of teachers stated that a retake would have no positive impact on teaching phonics.

The DfE will now scrap plans that allow a second retake of the test.

Russell Hobby, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, says: “After a trial period, the government has seen what many professionals have been saying: retaking phonics screening adds to workload and does not deliver for pupils.

“The government is often attracted to retakes and resits, when in fact a different approach to teaching is needed.”