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The June checks: Year 1 phonics and Year 4 times tables

Two short national checks happen in June: phonics in Year 1 and times tables in Year 4. The 2027 dates, what each one involves and calm ways to help.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

June brings two short national checks in primary school. Neither is a test your child can pass or fail in the usual sense. They help schools see which children need more support.

The Year 4 multiplication tables check runs in a two-week window from Monday 7 June 2027. The Year 1 phonics screening check follows from Monday 14 to Friday 18 June.[3]

2. The phonics check (Year 1)

Your child reads 40 words aloud to a teacher they know: 20 real words and 20 made-up words. The made-up words show whether a child can sound out and blend letters, rather than remember words by sight.[4]

In 2026, 82% of Year 1 children in England met the expected standard, up from 80% in 2025. By the end of Year 2, 89% had met it. The threshold mark in 2026 was 31 out of 40.[1]

Children who don’t meet the standard in Year 1 take the check again in Year 2. Schools must tell you your child’s result by the end of the summer term.[4]

3. The times tables check (Year 4)

The check is on screen. Children answer 25 times tables questions and have 6 seconds for each one, after 3 practice questions. There is no pass mark.[5]

In 2025, the national average score was 21.0 out of 25, up from 20.6 in 2024, and 37% of pupils scored full marks.[2]

Check
Who
When (2027)
What happens
Multiplication tables check
Year 4
Two weeks from Monday 7 June
25 questions on screen, 6 seconds each
Phonics screening check
Year 1, and Year 2 retakes
Monday 14 to Friday 18 June
40 words read aloud, 20 of them made up

4. How to help at home

Short, calm practice works best for both checks.

Five minutes a day, big confidence.

Little and often

Five minutes a day beats an hour once a week.

Sound out new words

Point at letters, say the sounds, then blend them. Made-up words make a fun game.

Mix up the tables

Ask facts out of order, not just counting up in threes.

Keep it calm

These checks help schools spot who needs help. Praise effort, not speed.

Free practice: Our free times tables check practice tool uses the same 25 questions and 6-second timer, so the real check feels familiar.

5. If your child needs a boost

If reading or times tables feel hard, talk to the class teacher first. They will know which sounds or tables to focus on.

Friendly one-to-one help: Our qualified teachers help primary children build confident reading and number skills. Online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When is the 2027 phonics screening check?

  2. 2. How long do children get for each times tables question?

  3. 3. What share of Year 1 children met the phonics standard in 2026?

Your next steps

  • Ask the school which day the checks will happen.
  • Try five minutes of practice a day.
  • Use our free times tables check practice tool.

Sources

  1. Department for Education. Phonics screening check attainment, academic year 2025/26 (published 8 October 2026). explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/phonics-screening-check-attainment/2025-26
  2. Department for Education. Multiplication tables check attainment, academic year 2024/25 (published 20 November 2025). explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/multiplication-tables-check-attainment/2024-25
  3. GOV.UK (Standards and Testing Agency). Primary assessments: future dates (updated 12 October 2026). gov.uk/guidance/primary-assessments-future-dates
  4. GOV.UK (Standards and Testing Agency). 2027 phonics screening check assessment and reporting arrangements. gov.uk/government/publications/phonics-screening-check-assessment-and-reporting-arrangements-ara/2027-phonics-screening-check-assessment-and-reporting-arrangements
  5. GOV.UK (Standards and Testing Agency). Multiplication tables check: administration guidance. gov.uk/government/publications/multiplication-tables-check-administration-guidance/multiplication-tables-check-administration-guidance

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.