Wynstream Primary School celebrates phonics results

Pupils and staff at Wynstream Primary School in Exeter, part of Education South West, are celebrating the results of their phonics tests this term.

Phonics is an effective way of teaching children to read, high quality phonics teaching improves literacy levels.  The phonics screening check is a test that Year 1 pupils in England are required to take.  The check confirms whether pupils have met the expected standard in phonic decoding and involves 40 words divided into two sections. 

The sections contain a mix of real words and pseudo-words - which are phonically decodable but are not actual words.  Pseudo-words are included to assess whether pupil’s can decode a word using their phonics skills.

This year Wynstream’s overall score was 75%, up 5% from last year, meaning that three quarters of children passed the check.  When only assessing the children who have been with the school for their entire learning journey, then the pass score was 91%.  Even more impressively, 31% of children scored the full 40 marks (only 3% of Wynstream pupils achieved this last year.)

Elise Redman, Headteacher at Wynstream Primary School said:

“I would like to say a big well done to our children and a massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in teaching or delivering phonics and fast track tutoring.  I want to say how much I appreciate everyone who has promoted reading in any way shape or form, it’s clearly paying off!”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“Congratulations to the whole Wynstream team on this fantastic phonics result.  These superb scores demonstrate just how much effort staff have put in to ensuring that children have a great start when it comes to understanding the importance of reading.”