Case Studies and Testimonials

Case Study: Accelerating Literacy Progress at Ibstock Junior School

Background

Ibstock Junior School introduced the Fonetti Intervention Programme to support a cohort of 30 pupils, including those receiving pupil premium support. The aim was to improve reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension through an interactive, engaging approach.

Over six weeks, the entire cohort demonstrated an average reading rate improvement of two years, with one pupil premium student making exceptional progress beyond this.

The Challenge

Before the intervention, many students in the cohort struggled with reading fluency and comprehension, impacting their confidence and academic performance. One pupil premium student, in particular, had significant literacy difficulties, rarely engaged with reading, and required substantial support.

The Intervention

Each student in the cohort was provided access to Fonetti’s read-aloud platform, which:

  • Encouraged regular independent reading aloud

  • Tracked real-time progress in fluency and comprehension

  • Provided instant feedback, helping students improve accuracy

Over the six-week period, the entire cohort engaged in consistent reading practice, with the standout pupil reading for over 16 hours. Progress was measured using the York Assessment of Reading Comprehension (YARC) before and after the programme.

Results

The impact of the programme was remarkable across all students:

  • The cohort’s average reading rate improved by two years

  • Accuracy and comprehension also saw significant gains

  • One pupil premium student made extraordinary progress:

    • Accuracy: Improved by five months

    • Reading rate: Increased by three years, one month

    • Comprehension: Advanced by two years, eight months

Key Insights

  • All 30 pupils showed accelerated reading progress, demonstrating the effectiveness of structured reading interventions

  • The standout pupil’s rapid progress highlighted the programme’s potential to transform reading ability in a short time

  • Students gained confidence and motivation, engaging more with reading than before

Conclusion

The Fonetti Intervention Programme delivered exceptional results across a full cohort of students, proving that technology-enhanced reading can drive rapid literacy gains. By providing an engaging, structured approach to reading aloud and tracking progress, the programme helped students improve at scale while supporting those most in need.

For educators, these results reinforce the value of targeted, tech-enabled literacy interventions that can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom, reducing teacher workload while accelerating student progress.

Case Study: Transforming Home Reading with Fonetti at a Leicestershire Primary School

Background

As a large, three-form primary school in Leicestershire, we have faced increasing challenges in parental engagement with children's learning, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional bedtime stories are increasingly being replaced with screen time, and a growing number of our pupils are not being read to at home. This has significantly impacted their reading fluency and overall enthusiasm for reading.

The Challenge

We have observed a notable decline in parental involvement in home reading, contributing to a worrying drop in the number of children reading for pleasure. This issue is particularly pronounced in our Year 2 cohort, where a significant number of children are not meeting the expected reading standards for their age.

Implementing Fonetti

Due to technological constraints, we trialled the Fonetti app solely for home reading over a two-week period in January with our Year 2 pupils. We wanted to see whether an engaging, interactive digital solution could help bridge the gap and encourage more children to read aloud at home.

The Results

The impact of the Fonetti trial was staggering:

  • 79% of children read aloud at home using the app, a dramatic increase from the 12% who regularly read with an adult before the trial.

  • In just two weeks, the 81 participating children read 1,907 books, accumulating a combined total of 170 hours of reading time.

  • 96% of children reported enjoying using the app.

  • 84% of parents said their child would use the app regularly if the school had a subscription.

Teacher & Pupil Feedback

Year 2 teachers observed significant changes in their pupils:

  • Many children expressed that they missed having the app after the trial ended.

  • Teachers noticed improved speech clarity among pupils, which they attributed to more frequent reading aloud.

  • A noticeable increase in enthusiasm for reading was reported across the cohort.

Conclusion

Our two-week trial with Fonetti delivered remarkable results in a short time. By providing an interactive and engaging way for children to read aloud at home, we saw a dramatic increase in home reading participation, improved speech clarity, and a renewed enthusiasm for reading among our Year 2 pupils. The results strongly suggest that implementing Fonetti on a broader scale could have a lasting impact on reading engagement and literacy development.

We highly recommend Fonetti to other schools facing similar challenges, especially those looking for innovative ways to support home reading and re-engage parents in their children's literacy journey.

Teacher Testimonial: A Family’s Reading Transformation with Fonetti

As a teacher, witnessing the impact of reading interventions firsthand is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. One particular success story stands out—a young pupil whose reading journey took an incredible turn thanks to Fonetti.

Her mother works evening shifts, and her father, who is dyslexic, had always struggled with reading and writing. He avoided reading with her at home, feeling that he wouldn’t be able to help if she made mistakes. As a result, the family believed there was no point in reading together, which limited her practice and confidence.

Determined to support them, I persistently encouraged the family to try reading together with the help of Fonetti. The app eliminated the father’s fear of not knowing the correct words, as it provided real-time feedback and gentle guidance.

The transformation was astonishing. Within just three weeks of using Fonetti at home, I saw a remarkable improvement in the child’s reading ability. She went from reluctant reading to confidently engaging with books for 20 to 30 minutes each evening—a huge step forward.

“It’s truly heartening to see such positive changes,” I shared, reflecting on her progress.

Fonetti didn’t just improve the child’s literacy—it empowered the entire family to embrace reading together, fostering a love of books that will last a lifetime.