National Read Aloud Challenge

How the National Read Aloud Challenge is Helping to Prevent the Summer Reading Slide

Hundreds of schools and thousands of children have already taken part in this year’s National Read Aloud Challenge. Together, they’ve already completed hundreds of thousands of read-aloud sessions, all helping to keep reading skills sharp over the summer holidays and build confidence before the new school year begins.

For many children, summer is a time to relax, explore new hobbies and enjoy a well-earned break from school. But while the holidays offer plenty of opportunities for fun, they can also present a challenge when it comes to maintaining reading skills.

This phenomenon is often referred to as the summer reading slide or summer reading regression. Without regular opportunities to read, some children can lose confidence, fluency and momentum, making the return to school in September that little bit harder.

That’s exactly why the National Read Aloud Challenge exists.

What is the Summer Reading Slide?

The summer reading slide describes the decline in reading ability that some children experience during the long school holidays when they read less frequently than they do during term time.

Like any skill, reading improves with regular practice. When children stop reading altogether for several weeks, they may find that:

  • Reading fluency becomes less smooth.
  • They take longer to recognise familiar words.
  • Reading confidence decreases.
  • Comprehension can become more difficult.
  • They need time at the start of the new school year to rebuild lost momentum.

The good news is that it doesn’t take hours of practice each day to make a difference.

Why Reading Aloud Makes Such a Difference

Reading silently has many benefits, but reading aloud offers something extra.

When children read aloud, they’re developing several skills simultaneously. They practise decoding unfamiliar words, improve pronunciation, strengthen fluency and build confidence in using their voice. Reading aloud also encourages children to slow down and engage more deeply with what they’re reading.

Perhaps most importantly, it provides opportunities for feedback.

Whether that feedback comes from a teacher, a parent or technology designed specifically for reading, children are far more likely to notice mistakes, correct them and continue improving when someone, or something, is listening.

That’s where the National Read Aloud Challenge offers something unique.

How Fonetti Supports Children Throughout the Summer

At the heart of the National Read Aloud Challenge is Fonetti, an award-winning reading platform powered by patented Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology, designed specifically for children’s reading. As children read aloud, Fonetti listens in real time, recognising what they’re saying and providing immediate encouragement and support.

Instead of waiting until a reading session has finished, children receive instant feedback that helps them stay engaged and continue making progress.

Throughout the Challenge, children can:

  • Receive real-time support while reading aloud.
  • Track their own reading progress.
  • Build daily reading habits.
  • Earn certificates and achievements.
  • Stay motivated through leaderboards and rewards.
  • Access hundreds of age-appropriate books across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more.

By combining regular reading with immediate feedback and game-like motivation, the Challenge helps children keep practising throughout the summer rather than putting reading on pause until September.

Why Just 10 to 15 Minutes a Day Matters

One of the biggest misconceptions about maintaining reading skills is that children need to spend hours with a book.

In reality, consistency is far more important than duration.

Just 10 to 15 minutes of reading aloud each day allows children to continue practising key reading skills, build confidence and maintain the routines they’ve developed during the school year.

Those small daily reading sessions soon add up over the course of the summer holidays.

Rather than viewing reading as homework, many children taking part in the National Read Aloud Challenge see it as another summer activity where they can unlock achievements, climb the leaderboard and celebrate their progress along the way.

Building Confidence for September

The ultimate goal isn’t simply to read more books over the summer.

It’s to help children return to school feeling confident.

Children who continue reading during the holidays are more likely to begin the new academic year ready to participate in classroom reading, tackle new texts and continue developing their literacy skills without needing to rebuild lost confidence first.

The National Read Aloud Challenge has been designed to make that easier by providing free access to engaging books, motivating rewards and technology that supports every reading session from start to finish.

There’s Still Time to Get Involved

With the Challenge now at its halfway point, there’s still plenty of time for children to take part.

Every read-aloud session contributes towards building stronger reading habits, increasing confidence and helping to prevent the summer reading slide before the new school year begins.

So far this summer, hundreds of schools, thousands of children and hundreds of thousands of reading sessions have already demonstrated what’s possible when reading becomes something children genuinely enjoy.

The second half of the summer is another opportunity to keep that momentum going, one story, one page and one read-aloud session at a time.

Ready to help your child beat the summer reading slide?

There’s still plenty of time to join the National Read Aloud Challenge. Whether you’re a parent looking to keep your child reading over the holidays or a school encouraging pupils to maintain their reading confidence, registration is completely free.

Join thousands of children across the UK who are reading aloud this summer and helping to return to school with confidence.

👉 Sign up today: https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Insights, Reading

Between races, he went back to the caravan to read

The photograph was taken on a race weekend. Reuben had been out on his bikes. Between races he went back to the caravan, sat down and read. His little sister Orla is next to him, trying to join in.

That is a picture of a boy who needs no persuading to read. Which is exactly why his mum Shaunie’s account of the National Read-Aloud Challenge is worth your time. Because Reuben was not sure about it at all.

The objection we hear most often

“At the start he wasn’t sure on the lack of actual book and using a tablet.”

That is the single most common hesitation parents raise with us, and it is a fair one. If your child already loves the weight of a book in their hands, why hand them a screen instead?

We are not going to argue that a screen beats a book. It is not the point. Fonetti does the one thing a book cannot do, which is listen. It hears a child read aloud, follows every word and responds as they go, which means a child can practise reading out loud whenever they want to, without waiting for an adult to be free.

What he was already reading

Reuben is six. He has just finished Year One and goes into Year Two in September, and he arrived at the Challenge with a reading habit well established.

He started out on the Julia Donaldson books, moved on to longer chapter books, and now counts Roald Dahl among his favourites. He has read the entire Treehouse series several times over. He has been through Marcus Rashford’s The Breakfast Club Adventures, books by David Walliams, and the older Thomas the Tank Engine stories that belonged to his dad. He brings fiction home from school and talks it through with his parents. As Shaunie puts it, he is a boy with plenty of questions about what he reads.

So for a family like this, the question was never whether the child will read. It is what happens when he runs out of things to read.

What changed

Two things, and neither was the one we would have predicted.

The first was comics.

“Since doing the read aloud challenge, he’s beginning to enjoy the comic strip books too, which previously he hadn’t shown any interest in. Just this evening he asked, please can I read the Agent Blue comic again?”

A confident reader picking up a format he had always walked past is worth more than a reluctant reader finishing one book. It is his taste widening, not his ability catching up.

The second was news. On that race weekend, the articles he kept going back to were about the World Cup.

“I’ve particularly enjoyed listening to him reading the news articles. With the World Cup, I wasn’t sure how he’d get on with all the names, but he did a fabulous job! His vocabulary is expanding daily by all the material accessible to him so that’s a real plus for us.”

This is the part that matters educationally. Unfamiliar names of players and places are exactly the words a child cannot guess from context or skip over silently. Reading them aloud is how they become sayable, and then usable.

The audience of one

Orla is three. She cannot read yet. She makes up her own stories from the pictures, and recites the parts she remembers.

“Reuben loves to read bedtime stories to Orla and therefore she has been actively involved in the challenge because she’s never far away listening, when he’s reading out loud.”

We did not design for that, and it is our favourite thing in this whole story.

There is a worry about technology like ours, sometimes said out loud and sometimes not, that it is there to take the adult out of the room. It is not. Fonetti is a Personal Reading Coach, not a replacement for the person sitting beside your child. Reuben read aloud to his little sister at bedtime, with his parents nearby. Fonetti did the listening in between.

One more thing

When Shaunie told Reuben she was writing back to the founder of Fonetti, he said: “Wait, Kim Antoniou has emailed you? Please can you tell her I really enjoyed her book Tech Gran in Tuk Tuk.”

Shaunie’s point about this is better than anything we could add. She did not know who had written it. Reuben did. He was not only reading the books, he was reading the introductions and paying attention to the details.

How they found us

One line in Shaunie’s email is a reminder of how families reach us at all.

“Thank you for exposing our school to the challenge, because otherwise we wouldn’t have known about it.”

The National Read-Aloud Challenge is free, and it runs every summer. If your child’s school has not mentioned it, ask them. Send them to readaloudchallenge.co.uk and we will do the rest.

Teach a child to read, and you give them the power to learn for life.

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Appearances, Reading, Year of Reading

The Summer We Accidentally Built the Thing I’m Proudest Of…

There’s a particular kind of madness that descends on us at this time of year. The good kind. The kind where the whole team is running on adrenaline and tea, where the inbox never stops, and where I find myself grinning at my laptop like an idiot. It’s launch season, the time when we open the doors on the National Read-Aloud Challenge, powered by Fonetti, and honestly, it’s the most insane and most wonderful few weeks of our entire year.

So before the gates swing open, I wanted to take a breath and tell you how we got here. Because if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be writing this, I’m not sure I’d have believed you.

First, the important bit. How to get involved

Every year the rhythm is the same, and there’s something lovely about that.

On the 1st of June, registrations open for schools, giving teachers a full month to get themselves set up and ready before the Challenge goes live. Parents can join the waitlist any time now, and access opens for everyone on the 1st of July, when the Challenge officially begins.

Throughout the Challenge, children get free access to hundreds of books on the Fonetti app. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, news, current affairs, the lot. Content chosen to genuinely interest children of every kind, right across the ages from 5 to 15. Whatever a child is into, there’s something in there for them.

That’s what. Here’s why.

It was never supposed to be for schools

Fonetti was always meant for the home. That was the plan, start to finish. We built it for families, for the sofa, for bedtime, for the quiet ten minutes after dinner when a child reads aloud and someone who loves them listens.

And then Covid happened, and it changed everything.

Before the pandemic, schools were understandably reluctant to take on yet another piece of technology. But lockdown turned that on its head almost overnight. Suddenly there was an appetite, a need, for tools that could help children keep reading when the world had gone strange and small. So during that period we did something we’d never intended to do: we built the Fonetti school platform. And when things began to open up again, we were ready to take on the education market.

I’ll be honest, plenty of smart people warned me how hard that would be. Our wonderful education advisor, Lewis Bronze MBE, told me in no uncertain terms how difficult it is to get traction in education with a new product, especially a new one nobody’s heard of yet. He wasn’t wrong.

But the timing, for me personally, was extraordinary. I’d just exited another business I’d founded, and I made a decision that felt enormous at the time: I invested a large chunk of that money straight into developing a platform that would let us give our home experience away for free, every single summer.

That was the birth of the National Read-Aloud Challenge.

A champion in our corner

I can’t tell this story without telling you about Clare Balding CBE.

Clare was one of our earliest supporters, and she said something to me back then that I’ve never forgotten. She told me she’d always wanted to be part of building something with the potential to change the world, and that she believed this technology was exactly that. Coming from her, it meant everything.

So when we started the Challenge, it was a great joy to me when Clare took on the role of Brand Ambassador. And here’s the thing about Clare: she is not passive. She absolutely gets what we do. Anyone who has ever come to our awards ceremony, whether a child, a teacher, or a partner, knows just how engaged she is, and how wonderful she is with the children. She lights the whole room up. Watching her with them is one of my favourite moments of the entire year.

The moment we got completely, hopelessly, hooked

Here’s the thing about the early days. At the start, the Challenge was supposed to be evidence. Nothing more romantic than that. We needed proof. We needed to be able to look a head teacher in the eye and say, “Here’s what happens to children’s reading when you use this,” with the data to back it up.

But by the middle of that first year, something had shifted in all of us. We were hooked.

Watching the admin panel became our version of Netflix. I’m not exaggerating. We’d sit there in the evenings watching children read, day and night, all over the country. The numbers are ticking up. The streaks. The leaderboards are moving. We could not believe how engaged they were.

And when I step back and think about why, it’s almost embarrassingly simple. All we really did was take the most fundamental skill there is, reading aloud, and gamify it. We curated and created content that children actually find interesting, we added certificates, prizes and, of course, leaderboards. And suddenly you don’t have a reading app. You have one of the most extraordinary reading engagement platforms I’ve ever seen.

The numbers still take my breath away

Let me put it plainly, because the data genuinely floors me.

In our first year, there was one day where children clocked up 104 hours of pure reading in a single day. We thought that was unbelievable.

In 2024, we doubled it, peaking at 224 hours in one day.

And last year, we averaged 279 hours of reading every single day across the entire Challenge period, with one extraordinary day peaking at 454 hours.

Four hundred and fifty-four hours of children reading aloud, in one day, because they wanted to. I still can’t quite take it in.

We were never meant to do this alone

Here’s something I want to say loudly, because it matters: we are not in competition with anyone.

There are some genuinely brilliant reading initiatives that light up the summer, and right at the top of that list is the Summer Reading Challenge, created many years ago by The Reading Agency and run by libraries up and down the country. It isn’t just a tradition. It’s something I think everyone in literacy is proud to be associated with, and that absolutely includes us.

When we created the National Read-Aloud Challenge, we always knew it was different, and we designed it deliberately to sit alongside initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge, never against them. In fact it was our own Vicki Edgar who summed it up best. She took one look and said, well, it’s obviously the “Read-Aloud” summer initiative, a cheeky play on exactly what we do, because we get children reading out loud. The name stuck, because she was completely right.

And I have to stop and say something about Vicki here, because she has earned it. Vicki is our Fonetti Challenge Ambassador, and she is every single bit as passionate about this as I am. The two of us together are a genuine force to be reckoned with.

Plenty of movement, but let’s have some direction

This launch feels especially poignant, because we’re doing it during the Year of Reading.

The work the National Literacy Trust and the Department for Education have done to shine a light on declining reading among our young children has, in a strange way, been galvanising. It’s named the problem out loud. And our commitment goes well beyond simply running the Challenge: we plan to share all of the phenomenal insight we gather from children actually reading with both the National Literacy Trust and the Department for Education once the Challenge is over.

Because at the end of the day, we all need to work together. Every one of us in this space has the same single aim, to turn around the failing literacy standards among our children, and every one of us wants to do good. But if we all charge off in our own separate directions, we end up with an awful lot of movement and no direction whatsoever. A bit like an octopus on rollerskates. Plenty of energy, arms flailing everywhere, going absolutely nowhere. Pull together, and suddenly all that movement has direction. So we are completely committed to doing our bit.

The woman now steering our ship

There’s one more person I have to tell you about, and I get a bit giddy every time I do.

Over the last couple of years I’ve had the joy of getting to know Louise Hill, the founder of GoHenry. Louise is on her own mission to move the dial, in her case on financial literacy, and she has worked tirelessly lobbying the government to get financial literacy onto the curriculum from primary school upwards. She is relentless, in the best possible way.

So when Louise agreed earlier this year to become our Chair, I was absolutely over the moon. Picture it: a couple of crazy, driven women of a certain age, utterly determined to change the lives of children. Together I think we make a pretty powerful double act, and I could not be prouder to have Louise’s support as Chair of our board.

So, here we go again

If you’re a teacher, registrations are open now. Get your school set up before the 1st of July.

If you’re a parent, join the waitlist and we’ll open the doors to you on launch day.

And if you’re someone who simply cares about children and books, thank you for reading this. Share it. Pass it on. Help us make this the biggest summer of reading yet.

It’s the most insane time of our year. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s go. 📚

Kim

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Literacy, Reading, Team Fonetti

When Books Talk Back: How ASR Is Changing the Way Children Learn to Read

Imagine if, instead of just turning pages, a book could listen. What if it could gently prompt a child when they misread a word, cheer them on when they pronounce something correctly, and track their progress over time – all without needing an adult to hover nearby?

This is no longer the stuff of imagination. Thanks to Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), books are beginning to talk back. And for young readers, that changes everything.

📖 The Traditional Reading Model – and Its Limits
For generations, reading has been a largely one-way experience. A child sits with a book and decodes the words on the page. When possible, a parent, teacher or older sibling might listen, correct mispronunciations, and encourage fluency. But in busy homes and overstretched classrooms, this kind of attentive one-to-one support isn’t always available. That’s where children can fall behind – not for lack of will, but for lack of real-time, personalised feedback.

💡 Enter ASR: A Reading Revolution
Automatic Speech Recognition bridges this gap. When embedded in EdTech tools like Fonetti, ASR listens as a child reads aloud, assessing accuracy and fluency in real time. If a child stumbles, skips a word, or mispronounces something, the technology gently flags it. If they improve, it celebrates them. This creates an interactive loop: the child reads, the technology listens and responds, and the child adjusts – learning as they go. It’s the kind of responsive support that builds not just literacy, but confidence.

🔄 Practice, Feedback, Progress
The secret sauce in learning to read fluently is repetition with feedback. ASR tools encourage children to read aloud more often – something that traditional reading apps or eBooks rarely promote. And because the feedback is immediate, children begin to self-correct. They develop an ear for their own accuracy. Over time, this builds fluency, comprehension, and a deeper sense of achievement. It’s no longer about “getting through the page” – it’s about reading well, and knowing you’re reading well.

🧑‍🏫 Supporting Teachers with Actionable Insights
One of the often-overlooked benefits of ASR technology is the visibility it provides to teachers. With platforms like Fonetti, teachers gain access to a dedicated portal that tracks each pupil’s reading activity – including accuracy, fluency, and consistency over time. This data helps teachers quickly identify which pupils are thriving and which ones may need targeted support – whether it’s help with decoding, pronunciation, or reading stamina. In short, ASR doesn’t just support the child – it supports the whole classroom ecosystem.

By freeing up time and providing clear insights, ASR allows teachers to do what they do best: personalise learning and support every child, no matter their starting point.

🌍 Accessible, Scalable, Empowering
Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of ASR is its scalability. Not every child has daily access to an adult who can sit and listen while they practise reading. ASR levels the playing field – bringing high-quality support into homes, classrooms, and communities where it might otherwise be lacking. It empowers teachers with data. It gives parents peace of mind. And most importantly, it gives children a sense of ownership over their reading journey.

🚀 The Future of Reading Is Interactive
Reading doesn’t have to be passive. With the help of ASR, we’re moving toward a world where every child can hear how they’re doing, see their progress, and feel proud of how far they’ve come. At Fonetti, we believe books should be engaging, encouraging – and just a little bit magical. And when books talk back, that magic becomes real.

📢 Try It for Yourself: Join the National Read Aloud Challenge!
If you’re curious about how ASR can support your child’s reading, there’s no better time to give it a go. The National Read Aloud Challenge is still open – and it’s the perfect opportunity for children to experience Fonetti’s interactive, voice-powered reading platform for themselves.

Whether your child is a confident reader or just starting out, the challenge is designed to encourage regular reading aloud and make it fun. With built-in feedback, progress tracking, and a growing library of engaging stories, Fonetti helps every child become a stronger, more fluent reader.

Sign up today and see the difference when books talk back: https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/

Posted in Automatic Speech Recognition, EdTech, National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading

Level up Literacy: How gamification is making reading more engaging

The Current State of Children’s Reading in the UK
The state of children’s reading in the UK is concerning. In the 2023/24 academic year, 26% of Year 6 pupils in England left primary school without meeting the expected standard in reading. This statistic has remained stagnant over time, highlighting a persistent challenge in literacy education.

Beyond test scores, children’s enjoyment of reading is also in decline. In 2024, reading for pleasure was at a record low, with only 34.6% of children reporting that they enjoyed reading, according to the National Literacy Trust. This is a worrying 8.8 percentage point drop from 2023.

If children do not enjoy reading, they are less likely to engage with it regularly. This trend is reflected in the data: just 20.5% of children report reading daily – a nearly 50% decline over the past two decades.

Why Reading for Enjoyment Matters
Reading is a skill that improves with practice. Children who read frequently for enjoyment effectively give themselves additional reading lessons, strengthening their comprehension and overall academic performance.

The impact of reading enjoyment on literacy outcomes is well-documented. The 2021 PIRLS study found that pupils who enjoyed reading scored an average of 34 points higher than those who did not. Additionally, the 2022 PISA study highlighted reading enjoyment as a key factor in mitigating inequalities in reading attainment across gender and socio-economic status.

The UK’s Reading Framework supports this perspective, explaining that “once pupils can decode accurately and speedily, reading a lot is the principal way they develop as readers.” This concept, known as ‘reading miles,’ underscores the importance of frequent reading in skill development.

A Need for Change
Given the stagnation in reading levels and the decline in reading enjoyment and frequency, a shift in strategy is necessary. A new approach is required to re-engage children in reading and to provide opportunities for them to develop literacy skills in a way that aligns with their interests and habits in a digital world.

The Role of ASR and Gamification
At Fonetti, we believe that increasing children’s enjoyment, confidence, and frequency of reading is a powerful way to combat the stagnation in reading progress. Technology – particularly Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) – offers a valuable tool for achieving this goal.

If designed inclusively and responsibly, ASR can transform the reading experience by enabling gamification and independent reading aloud practice. Moreover, ASR facilitates automatic progress tracking, providing valuable insights into a child’s reading development.

The Benefits of Gamification
In the digital age, children are naturally drawn to interactive and game-like experiences. Gamification in education enhances engagement by presenting learning as an enjoyable challenge rather than a chore. Features such as leaderboards, rewards, and achievement milestones make learning more compelling and motivate students to participate voluntarily.

When integrated with ASR, gamification can significantly enhance reading practice:

  • Real-Time Feedback: ASR technology provides immediate feedback on reading accuracy, making it easier to gamify the process with scoring systems, rewards, and progress tracking.
  • Increased Enjoyment: The PIRLS 2021 study showed that children who enjoyed reading performed better. Gamifying the reading experience can boost enjoyment, leading to better outcomes.
  • Independent Reading Confidence: ASR allows children to practice reading aloud without adult supervision, reducing performance anxiety and encouraging experimentation with fluency and intonation.
  • Personalised Learning: Children receive automatic feedback on mispronounced words, reinforcing phonics knowledge and allowing for targeted improvement.

Evidence from the National Read Aloud Challenge (NRAC)
The success of gamified reading experiences is supported by data from Fonetti’s 2024 National Read Aloud Challenge (NRAC). Preliminary investigations show that gamification plays a significant role in motivating children to read more frequently.

  • Investigation 1: Stars as Motivation for Book Repetition
    • Children who did not achieve a perfect star score in a reading session were more than twice as likely to choose the same book for their next session compared to those who earned three stars. This suggests that rather than being discouraged, many children were motivated to improve their performance, reinforcing their reading practice.
  • Investigation 2: Stars as Motivation for More Reading Sessions
    • For 3-6-year-olds, an increase in star ratings between consecutive reading sessions correlated with a shorter wait time before starting a new session. This was particularly evident among young girls. The results indicate that achieving higher scores encouraged children to read more frequently.
  • Investigation 3: Impact on Reading Progression
    • Another concern is whether gamification encourages children to stick to easier books to maximise scores rather than progressing through reading levels. However, data from NRAC participants shows that regular readers on Fonetti gradually increased their book difficulty over time. This trend was evident across both genders and all age groups, demonstrating that gamification does not hinder progress but rather supports it.

Conclusion: A Transformative Approach to Reading
The data is clear: gamifying the reading experience through ASR can significantly enhance children’s engagement, motivation, and reading frequency. By making reading more enjoyable and rewarding, Fonetti is helping to foster a generation of more confident, proficient readers.

If we are to address the ongoing stagnation in reading levels, we must embrace innovative solutions that align with children’s digital habits and preferences. Gamification, supported by ASR technology, offers a powerful way to achieve this.

Encouraging children to put in the essential ‘reading miles’ that lead to lifelong literacy success.

Posted in Automatic Speech Recognition, Insights, Literacy, National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading

Celebrating the 2024 National Read-Aloud Challenge Awards Ceremony

“Fonetti clearly helps children learn to read. The joy on children’s faces as they achieve reading fluency is palpable. The second NRAC was inspirational – I hope this annual challenge grows and involves tens of thousands of children next year.”

– Lewis Bronze MBE (Chairman of Sensations English and Fonetti Education Ambassador)

Reflecting on the 2024 National Read-Aloud Challenge Awards
A week has passed since the incredible 2024 National Read-Aloud Challenge (NRAC) Awards Ceremony, but the joy and excitement from the event are still fresh in our minds. Held on Thursday, 16th January 2025, at the Amazon UK Headquarters in London, this year’s ceremony brought together an inspiring mix of attendees. From bright-eyed children and dedicated teachers to Fonetti employees, challenge sponsors, ambassadors, and leaders across the education and EdTech spaces, the day was truly a celebration of community, learning, and the power of reading aloud.

In this blog, we’ll take you through every unforgettable moment of the day, sharing highlights and reflections on what made the event so special.

Arrivals: A Warm Welcome
Guests began arriving at midday, travelling from all corners of the UK. Whether it was a quick hop on the Tube or a journey involving planes and ferries, every guest was greeted with a warm welcome at Amazon UK Headquarters.

A beautiful lunch spread awaited them in the main function room, setting the tone for a day filled with connection and celebration. Conversations buzzed as attendees networked, shared stories, and bonded over their shared passion for children’s literacy. The atmosphere was electric, filled with anticipation for the events to come.

A Magical Book Reading Session
The first major event of the day was the ever-popular author reading session. Hosted by the charismatic Arti Halai – communication coach and former ITV news presenter – the session brought storytelling to life for the children. Five incredible readers, from diverse backgrounds, took to the stage to share their favourite books and answer the children’s questions.

Here’s a quick recap of the readers and their captivating choices:

  • Martin Roberts, renowned TV presenter and author of The Villes series, enchanted the audience with a chapter from his book Sadsville, available on the Fonetti app.
  • Rosemary Goodenough, celebrated artist and author of Hooray-Hooray-Horatio the Jolly Hedgehog, delighted the children with her story Hooray-Hooray-Horatio the Jolly Hedgehog Dreams About London.
  • Lewis Bronze MBE, Fonetti’s Education Ambassador and former Blue Peter editor, shared a chapter from a beloved children’s classic.
  • Bonnie, a talented student from Riverdale Primary School in Northern Ireland, brought Sadsville to life with her confident reading.
  • Scott, an enthusiastic student from Widmer End Community Combined School, charmed the audience with The Gingerbread Man, a Fonetti favourite.

The session was a heartwarming reminder of the power of stories to inspire, educate, and bring people together. Seeing the children’s reactions and their engagement during the Q&A was a highlight for everyone present.

The Awards Ceremony: A Celebration of Achievement
By 2:30 PM, the stage was set for the main event of the day: the National Read Aloud Challenge Awards Ceremony. Hosted by the wonderful Clare Balding CBE—renowned TV presenter and Fonetti Brand Ambassador—the ceremony celebrated the incredible achievements of schools across the UK. As Clare interviewed the winning pupils, laughter filled the room. The children’s joy and their priceless, often hilarious responses were once again the heart of the ceremony!

Here’s a full list of the 2024 National Read-Aloud Challenge winners:

  • East of England: Forest Academy
  • East Midlands: Ibstock Junior School
  • London: St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School
  • North East: Bede Academy
  • North West: St Catherine’s CE Primary 
  • Northern Ireland: Riverdale Primary School
  • Scotland: Kyleakin Primary
  • South East: Widmer End Community Combined School
  • South West: Oakwood Primary Academy
  • Wales: Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School
  • West Midlands: Ferndale Primary School
  • Yorkshire/Humber: Copmanthorpe Primary School
  • Multi Academy Trust: Excalibur Academies Trust
  • Small Schools Award: Ogbourne CofE Primary School
  • National Winners: St Catherine’s CE Primary

During the ceremony, speeches from key Fonetti team members highlighted the importance of the challenge:

  • Lewis Bronze MBE, reflected on his lifelong dedication to promoting children’s education. He also spoke passionately about how reading aloud builds confidence and transforms children’s learning journeys. He reminded us of the millions of children still struggling with literacy and how Fonetti’s instant feedback feature empowers them to overcome these challenges.
  • Vicki Edgar, Fonetti’s Education Manager, shared inspiring stories of students who’ve thrived through the challenge. One standout story was of a student at Ibstock Junior School who improved their reading accuracy by five months, comprehension by over two years, and reading rate by an astonishing three years – all thanks to Fonetti! Vicki also reflected on her personal journey with dyslexia and how it fuels her passion for helping children discover the joy of reading.
  • Kim Antoniou, Fonetti’s Founder and CEO, shared the inspiration behind the National Read-Aloud Challenge. Motivated by the alarming statistic that roughly one in four children miss their reading targets each year and a belief in the potential of technology to combat summer reading regression, Kim launched the initiative. She also highlighted the remarkable growth of the challenge, which expanded from 4,000 to 10,000 participants in just one year. Looking ahead, Kim expressed her ambition to surpass 50,000 participants next summer through continued collaboration with sponsors, partners, and educators.

A Sweet Finale: Cakes, Networking, and Tours
After the ceremony, guests returned to the main function room to enjoy a delightful selection of cakes, teas, and coffees. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet filled with excitement as attendees mingled and reflected on the day’s events.

Meanwhile, Amazon staff offered children guided tours of the UK headquarters. For many students, especially those from smaller towns, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the workings of a global organisation. Their wide-eyed curiosity and thoughtful questions made the tours memorable for everyone involved.

Drinks Reception at the Light Bar
As schools began to leave around 5 PM, the remaining guests moved across the street to the Light Bar London for an exclusive drinks reception. Held in the cosy Backyard Rum Lodge, the gathering provided a perfect setting for further networking and celebrations. Conversations flowed as guests shared their thoughts on the day and their excitement for the future of the National Read-Aloud Challenge.

Looking Back and Ahead
The 2024 National Read-Aloud Challenge was a resounding success, with over 10,000 children participating from 560 schools across the UK. Together, they completed more than 13,000 hours of reading over 185,000 sessions on the Fonetti app.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to every single child who participated in this year’s challenge. We thoroughly hope you enjoyed taking part in the 2024 edition of this challenge and a massive congratulations to this year’s winning schools. We hope to see you again for the 2025 National Read-Aloud Challenge starting in June!

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re inspired by the passion and commitment shown by everyone involved. Here’s to another year of fostering a love for reading and empowering children to achieve their full potential!

A Few More Thank You’s!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended this year’s awards ceremony – your support made it truly special!

We are especially grateful to Clare Balding and Arti Halai for their fantastic hosting and for leading such an inspiring reading session.

A huge thank you to Martin Roberts, Lewis Bronze, Rosemary Goodenough, Scott, and Bonnie for their captivating readings, which added so much magic to the event.

Our deepest thanks to the team at Amazon for once again hosting this fabulous event – your continued support means the world to us.

To the wider Fonetti team, we applaud your incredible dedication and hard work in organising this year’s National Read Aloud Challenge and awards ceremony.

Lastly, this year’s challenge and awards ceremony wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing sponsors and partners. Thank you for believing in this initiative and helping us bring it to life – we are deeply grateful!

LEAP

1Decision

Blue Cow Education

Cornerstones Education

GEC

Headerteacher Chat

Kids Active Media

Sensations English

Swoperz

TextHelp

SENsible SENco

TeacherTapp

Totally Branded

SQS

Wensum English Hub

Winning with Numbers

Wonde

YPO

Linky Thinks

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Awards, Team Fonetti

Swoperz and Fonetti Unite for a Greener Future

Empowering Young Minds: Swoperz and Fonetti Unite for a Greener Future

As the founder of Fonetti, I am thrilled to share the inspiring journey behind Swoperz, a new series of books that we are proud to publish on our read-aloud app. This collaboration marks a significant step in our mission to promote engaging, educational content for children, and aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The story of Swoperz began in a moment of creativity and family bonding during a lockdown-inspired garden fashion show. Co-founders of Swoperz, Vicky Fuller and Charlene Hurlock felt the urge to transform this relatable experience into something meaningful for children everywhere. They aimed to craft a series that not only entertains but also educates young readers about vital themes such as sustainability, friendship, and the power of small actions to make a big difference.

“The Swoperz Fashion Show isn’t just a story; it’s a movement. We want to empower kids to control their style with a conscience, showing them that even small changes can have a big impact on our planet. Through Sophia and Pretti’s adventure, we hope to inspire a new generation of eco-conscious fashionistas.”

This powerful vision resonated deeply with us at Fonetti. Our platform’s innovative, digital approach to reading provides an ideal match for Swoperz’s modern, sustainability-focused brand. By choosing Fonetti, Swoperz ensures their books are easily accessible across various devices, reaching a wide audience eager for stories that matter.

Additionally, Fonetti’s involvement in initiatives like the National Read-Aloud Challenge offers an excellent opportunity for more children to discover the Swoperz story and its important messages. We believe that reading should be an interactive, enjoyable experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for learning. With Swoperz, children can immerse themselves in a world where style meets sustainability, and every small action contributes to a larger impact.

At Fonetti, we are dedicated to making reading an engaging and transformative experience. The collaboration with Swoperz underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality, meaningful content that not only entertains but also educates. We are excited to see the positive influence this series will have on young readers, inspiring them to become thoughtful, eco-conscious individuals.

In a world where digital platforms are increasingly shaping how we learn and interact, Fonetti stands out by offering a unique, interactive reading experience. By partnering with forward-thinking creators like Swoperz, we continue to push the boundaries of what educational content can achieve.

We look forward to seeing how Sophia and Pretti’s adventures inspire and educate children around the world.

Together with Swoperz, we are making strides towards a future where every story told can contribute to a better, more sustainable world.

Posted in News, Authors, National Read Aloud Challenge

Is reading the most effective homework we can assign children?

Reading is an essential skill that serves as the foundation for academic success and personal growth. In today’s fast-paced world, it is more important than ever to cultivate a love for reading in children from an early age. But with so many activities vying for their attention, is reading still the best form of homework we can give our children? In this blog, we will explore the benefits of reading as homework and why it should continue to be a priority for parents and educators.

The Power of Reading
Reading is more than just decoding words on a page. It opens up a whole new world of imagination, knowledge, and creativity. Through books, children can experience different cultures, understand complex concepts, and develop critical thinking skills. Reading also helps build vocabulary, improves concentration, and enhances memory retention. In short, reading is a superpower that can equip children with the tools they need to succeed in life.

Advantages of Reading as Homework
Giving children reading assignments as homework not only reinforces the skills they learn in school but also offers additional benefits. Firstly, it allows for independent learning and encourages self-directed study habits. This is especially important in today’s education system, where self-motivation and time management are crucial skills. Secondly, reading as homework can also involve the whole family, promoting a positive bonding experience and creating a supportive learning environment for the child.

The Impact of Digital Devices
With the increase in digital devices, children are growing tech-savvy and showing a genuine interest in all things tech. This presents a remarkable opportunity to foster a love for reading by intertwining technology with books so we should leverage this enthusiasm to empower children and ignite their passion for reading!

Encouraging a Love for Reading
Children are more likely to enjoy reading when they have the freedom to choose their own books. Parents and educators can encourage this by providing a wide variety of reading materials, including fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. It is also essential to create a comfortable and inviting reading space for children, free from distractions and noise. By making reading an enjoyable and rewarding experience, children are more likely to develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime.

Reading is undoubtedly the best homework we can give our children. It not only helps them academically but also fosters personal growth and development. By promoting a love for reading from an early age, we are equipping our children with the skills and tools they need to succeed in life. 

By utilising Fonetti in schools, teachers can assign reading homework to students through the platform and effortlessly monitor their progress. This includes tracking completion of reading tasks, assessing reading speed and accuracy, as well as identifying any specific areas where additional support may be required. So let’s make reading a priority and watch our children thrive. 

In the pursuit of cultivating lifelong readers, Fonetti has introduced the annual National Read-Aloud Challenge. This free initiative grants schools and users complimentary access to the app during summer months of June, July and August, aiming to combat summer reading regression and instil a love for reading in children.

To support your children reading at home, enrol your school or child in this year’s challenge, visit https://www.readaloudchallenge.co.uk/ and engage with this enriching opportunity.

Posted in National Read Aloud Challenge, Insights, Reading

Children’s Mental Health Week: Why Does Reading Makes Us Feel Good?

Children’s Mental Health Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about mental health and well-being. It is a week-long campaign that encourages people to talk openly about their emotions, seek help if needed, and take care of their mental health.

Schools play a crucial role in promoting positive mental health among children. They provide a safe and supportive environment for students to learn and grow, not just academically but also emotionally and socially.

One of the ways primary schools can promote mental health during Mental Health Week is by incorporating reading into their curriculum. Reading has been proven to have a positive effect on our mental well-being. It can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost empathy and understanding of others.

During Mental Health Week, primary schools can organise reading activities that focus on mental health and well-being. This could include reading books or articles about emotions, mindfulness, self-care, and coping strategies.

Teachers can also use read-aloud sessions as an opportunity to discuss mental health with their students. By choosing age-appropriate books that tackle mental health topics, teachers can help children better understand their own emotions and those of others.

Reading can also be used as a tool to address mental health stigma. By reading stories that portray characters struggling with mental health issues, students can develop empathy and learn to be more accepting of people who may have different struggles than their own.

Incorporating reading into Mental Health Week activities not only promotes literacy but also helps create a positive and open dialogue about mental health among students. It encourages them to express their feelings, ask questions, and seek support if needed.

Reading can also be a form of self-care for children. By reading books that they enjoy, children can relax and take a break from any stress or worries they may have. This promotes a healthy coping mechanism and teaches children the importance of taking care of their mental health.

How does Fonetti support children’s mental health?
Fonetti is a great resource to support children in regulating their emotions and supporting mental health. Books not only allow children to escape into another world and develop imagination and curiosity, but they also support children with understanding tricky emotions and help them to process how they are feeling. When children read aloud with Fonetti, their full attention is devoted to the task, preventing their minds from wandering elsewhere. By adopting a focused approach to reading, children channel their thoughts while receiving valuable support in regulating their emotions. This intentional practice enhances their reading abilities but also contributes to their overall emotional well-being.

During the recent National Read-Aloud Awards ceremony, we were deeply moved when children expressed how reading aloud on Fonetti made them feel calm. Their words humbled us and reinforced the positive impact of our platform.

To mark this year’s Children’s Mental Health Day, we will be gifting the following books for free for the duration of the week:

  • Aife and Stray: Seven Style Secrets for a Perilous Party
  • Ali and Loki
  • The Ugly Duckling
Posted in News, National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading

Auris Tech & NSPCC Join Forces to Promote Safe, Joyful Reading

Auris Tech, the innovative developers behind Fonetti, the groundbreaking Read Aloud App is joining forces with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) in a joint mission to protect and nurture childhood. Through this exciting collaboration, our goal is to foster a vibrant culture of reading and comprehension. By supporting and funding the NSPCC through our partnership, we aspire to empower children to embrace the power of spoken words, encouraging them to express themselves confidently whenever necessary.

Auris Tech is proud to stand alongside the NSPCC, an incredible charity dedicated to making a difference.

Fonetti, an innovative read-aloud application aimed at enhancing children’s oracy, reading fluency, and accuracy, incorporates state-of-the-art, multi-patented automatic speech recognition technology developed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh. This advanced technology actively listens to a child’s reading, providing real-time feedback for immediate improvement.

Auris Tech is delighted to support the NSPCC and has committed to donating £5 from every school licence sold throughout the partnership period. Auris Tech is also granting the NSPCC a bank of Fonetti school portal licences to distribute as needed, along with a generous number of Fonetti home user licences.

The partnership between Auris Tech and the NSPCC exemplifies the positive impact that can be achieved when the worlds of business and charity collaborate for the greater good of children. The visionary Founder and CEO of Auris Tech, Kim Antoniou, is proud to stand side by side with the NSPCC in their commitment to creating a better world for children. Antoniou firmly believes that Fonetti will play a vital role in instilling a love for reading, an essential aspect of both educational and emotional development. By working together, Auris Tech and the NSPCC are fostering a culture of reading while prioritising child safety.

Katie Fudge, fundraising manager at the NSPCC, said: “Reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give children. We are so pleased that Auris Tech has chosen to support the NSPCC in so many wonderful ways, and we are thrilled that our PANTS book is now available on Fonetti.”

The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. Using voluntary donations, which make up around 90 per cent of its funding, the charity helps children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, protects children at risk, and finds the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening.

Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS is an original children’s book by Rebecca Gerlings and Fhiona Galloway written exclusively for the NSPCC. It gives caregivers a simple way to talk to their child about staying safe from sexual abuse.

Through their endorsement of Fonetti and partnership with Auris Tech, the NSPCC is raising awareness of its mission and actively promoting a culture of prevention and reporting. Auris Tech’s strong commitment to this cause aids the NSPCC in providing vital support and resources to children and their families.

The Fonetti app, available for both individual users and schools, has proven to be an exceptional tool for parents and teachers, effectively aiding children in developing their reading skills with boosted confidence and a newfound love for reading that will benefit them for a lifetime. Auris Tech’s National Read Aloud Challenge encourages the powerful benefits of independent reading. Through active participation in the challenge, parents and teachers contribute to fostering a love for reading, promoting emotional intelligence, and enhancing mental well-being.

In conclusion, the partnership between Auris Tech and the NSPCC demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved when businesses and charities unite to effect positive change in society. 

By championing reading and child safety, Auris Tech and the NSPCC are providing invaluable resources to children and their families. Education, safety, and emotional support are integral components of a child’s development, and this partnership represents a significant stride forward in ensuring every child has access to these essential resources. The Fonetti app empowers parents and teachers while the National Read Aloud Challenge promotes the joy of reading aloud and fosters emotional intelligence. With these collaborative efforts, Auris Tech and NSPCC are paving the way for a brighter future for all children.

About Auris Tech:
Auris Tech is a leading developer of a unique advanced automatic speech recognition technology developed in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh specifically for read speech which is committed to improving literacy and supporting English language learning for children worldwide. Their flagship product, Fonetti, is revolutionising the way children acquire reading skills by utilising cutting-edge speech recognition technology.

About NSPCC:
The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. Using voluntary donations, which make up around 90 per cent of our funding, we help children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, we protect children at risk, and we find the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening. So when a child needs a helping hand, we’ll be there. When parents are finding it tough, we’ll help. When laws need to change, or governments need to do more, we won’t give up until things improve.

Their Childline service provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Their free NSPCC helpline is open every day of the year for any adult worried about a child. Their practitioners provide advice and support, listen to concerns about a child, and offer general information about child protection.

About The National Read Aloud Challenge:
The National Read Aloud Challenge is a nationwide initiative dedicated to encouraging reading among children. By providing free access to a wide range of books and fostering a love for literature, the challenge aims to boost literacy, inspire creativity, and empower young minds.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Kim Antoniou
Kim@auris.tech
07947 820420

Posted in News, Appearances, National Read Aloud Challenge, Reading