Flying high at Phonics

Children at Iver Village Infant School are leading the way in phonics with latest results showing a fantastic 93% pass mark in the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check.

The check which is carried out at all schools in the country in June assesses how Year 1 pupils use phonics – a method of teaching children how to read by helping them recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes and blending them together to make a word.

Results of the check for our children at Iver were finalised this week and show that 93% of children passed the check. It also showed that a staggering 100 per cent of children who are supported with the pupil premium passed the check.

National results will not be published until October this year but schools achieving 93% last year were in the top 5–10% of the country. Schools achieving a perfect 100% pass rate for pupil premium children last year were in the top 1% of all schools.

Mrs Wright, Principal, said:

“I could not be prouder of our children and staff. Because of the hard work happening both in the classrooms and at home, our results have shown steady phenomenal growth.

“This rapid improvement over the last four years is no accident—it is the result of a dedicated teaching team, a focused curriculum, and the sheer determination of our brilliant children.

“However, we know we cannot do this alone. Your support at home—reading with your children, practising sound cards, and encouraging them every step of the way—has played a massive role in this success. This is a victory for our entire school community.”

Because of the hard work happening both in the classrooms and at home, the school’s results have improved continuously. This is highlighted in our year-on-year pass rates for the phonics screening check below:

• 2022/2023: 55%
• 2023/2024: 61%
• 2024/2025: 73%
• 2025/2026: 93%

A massive thanks to everyone involved for their support and hard work!