Riverdale Primary School, Northern Ireland, introduced Fonetti in September 2024 to tackle a familiar challenge – reluctant readers who lacked confidence and had little independent reading happening at home.
Background
Like many primary schools, Riverdale identified a cluster of literacy challenges concentrated among its reluctant readers. Many pupils lacked the confidence to read aloud, had limited access to engaging books at home, and showed weak independent reading habits. Parents were often unsure of their child’s reading level, and teachers were seeing recurring difficulties with decoding, comprehension and fluency.
Fonetti was introduced from September 2024 as part of daily Literacy Workshop sessions, with pupils rotating through it weekly in school and using it freely at home. It was also built into small-group literacy support. Teachers, classroom assistants and parents all played a role, with pupils from P2 upwards using the app independently – all aligned to three goals: building reading confidence, improving reading levels, and making reading independent and enjoyable.
The Impact
The results at Riverdale have been striking:
Reading Confidence Soared
- Reluctant readers who previously avoided reading aloud became willing to read in front of classmates, having first grown comfortable reading aloud on their own with Fonetti.
- Pupils are progressing more quickly through the school’s reading bands.
Measurable Progress in Reading Scores
- P5 pupils previously receiving literacy support showed marked NGRT gains: 106 → 117, 106 → 117, and 105 → 113.
- Several children have now graduated from literacy support and booster groups.
Engagement Across the School
- A weekly Fantastic Fonetti Champs initiative celebrates the most time spent reading, the most improved accuracy, and the top three classes for total reading time.
- Children love the wide range of books, the colourful illustrations, the My Rewards section, watching words turn green for correct pronunciation, and the easy QR-code login.
Independent Reading Habits Formed
- With a vast library spanning genres and levels, pupils can practise as often as they like without adult support – and teachers can set book levels to match each child, building comprehension alongside fluency.
- Engagement rose across all year groups, with the biggest gains among the children who had previously found reading hardest.
Teacher & Parental Feedback
Teachers reported a clear shift in both attitudes and workload:
- Greater reading confidence and willingness to read aloud.
- Valuable Dashboard data for tracking progress.
- Reduced demand for extra reading resources, with support for 1:1 reading.
Parents echoed the change at home:
- Children reading more – and even reading aloud to younger siblings.
- QR-code login praised for its simplicity and accessibility.
Conclusion
“Fonetti is so straightforward to get up and running. Our children thoroughly enjoy reading on Fonetti at home and in school. Customer service and support is excellent – there is always someone available to help.” – Gail Martin, Riverdale Primary School
Riverdale’s experience shows the power of read-aloud technology to transform literacy learning, especially for reluctant readers. Through smart implementation, consistent use and strong engagement, Fonetti has become a valued part of the school’s literacy strategy – embedded in KS1, with plans to expand across KS2.
Fonetti: turning reluctant readers into confident ones — at home and in the classroom.