Guidance

Phonics screening check data collection: guide to submitting data

How local authorities should collect phonics screening check data from all local-authority-maintained schools, academies and free schools.

From:
Department for Education
Published
25 March 2014
Last updated
22 May 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

Phonics teaches people to read by relating sounds with letters and words. The phonics screening check is designed to check whether pupils understand phonics to an appropriate standard.

The phonics screening check data collection is an annual statutory data collection that takes place each June.

Local authorities must complete statutory data collections by law unless there is a very good reason not to.

You must submit phonics screening check assessment data for year 1 pupils in all:

  • schools maintained by the local authority
  • academies
  • free schools
  • special schools (schools for children with special educational needs or disabilities)

Important dates

Dates for the 2023 data collection:

  • collection opens: 12 June 2023
  • deadline for submitting data: 21 July 2023

Submit your data

You’ll need to:

  • register and log in with DfE Sign-in
  • use COLLECT to submit your data

Please contact your school or local authority approver, if:

  • you want to request a DfE Sign-in username or password so you can access COLLECT
  • ‘phonics screening check data’ is not on the list of collections you can see in COLLECT

Get help using DfE Sign-in

If you do not know who your approver is, use the DfE Sign-in request form.

If you’ve forgotten your password, use DfE Sign-in to reset it. You will need to click ‘start now’ and then the ‘I’ve forgotten my password’ link.

We’ll only be able to change the status of your data submission to ‘authorised’ once you’ve cleared all errors in the data in COLLECT.

2023 collection documents

The following guides will help you complete the return:

Get help submitting data

Use the service request form if you have any questions about your data. We aim to answer your question within 5 working days.

For general enquiries about administering the phonics screening check, contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or assessments@education.gov.uk.

Published 25 March 2014
Last updated 22 May 2023 + show all updates

  1. 'Phonics screening check data collection autumn 2023: guide' has been added to the 2023 collection documents section.

  2. Updated the important dates section to include the date the 2023 collection opens and the deadline for submitting data. Added a link to the 2023 phonics screening data collection technical specification.

  3. Updated the important dates and added a link to the phonics screening check data collection 2022 guide.

  4. Added Phonics screening check 2022: technical specification.

  5. Updated for 2021.

  6. Added information about the cancellation of the 2021 phonics screening check.

  7. Added 'Phonics screening data collection 2021: technical specification'.

  8. Added a link to the phonics screening check data collection 2020 guide.

  9. Added information on the additional data collection required for 2020, and the updated opening and deadline dates.

  10. Added deadlines for 2020 and added 2020 technical specification.

  11. Added link to Phonics screening check data collection guide 2019.

  12. Updated the information under 'Important dates'. Replaced link to 'technical specification'.

  13. Updated 'Submit your data section' and DfE Sign-in help links.

  14. Updated COLLECT link from secure access to DfE sign in.

  15. Added link to Phonics screening check data collection guide 2018.

  16. Updated information for 2018 phonics screening check data collection.

  17. Added a link to the 'Phonics screening check data collection 2017: guide'.

  18. Updated information for 2017 phonics screening check data collection.

  19. Added link to the 2016 COLLECT guide.

  20. Added a link to the 'Phonics screening check data collection 2016: guide'.

  21. Added dates for the 2016 collection and a link to the technical specification.

  22. Added link to 'Phonics screening check data collection 2015: COLLECT guide'.

  23. Added the 'Phonics screening check data collection 2015: guide'.

  24. Corrected 'deadline for returns' date.

  25. Updated deadlines for 2015 and added technical specification for 2015 data collection.

  26. Added links to phonics screening check data collection guide, COLLECT guide and input sheet for 2014.

  27. Link to 'Phonics screening check data collection 2014 technical specification' doc added.

  28. First published.

Contents

Related content