Evaluation of Chatterbooks and Chatterbooks Plus ? improving reading ability in Year 7 pupils with low reading ability

Randomised trial of two reading programmes for 11-12 year olds considered to be ?vulnerable? Level 4 English achievers

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN88327135

Enrollment

450

Registered

2013-07-29

Start date

2012-12-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-02-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Struggling readers / low literacy levels Not Applicable

Interventions

Year 7 students randomised to either Chatterbooks, Chatterbooks Plus, or to carry on with their normal school curriculum. Chatterbooks is an extra-curricular reading initiative design

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Year 7 pupils that were below National Curriculum level 4 in English and/or below level 4 in reading at the end of Key Stage 2, or pupils that are deemed to be ?vulnerable? Level 4 English achievers, as indicated by reading ages below that of a 10 year old.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Reading age below 7. National Curriculum level 4 or above in English and reading at the end of Key Stage 2. Parental opt-out.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Overall reading ability as measured by the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) at baseline (March 2013), and at the post-tests (June 2013 and September 2013).	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Reading ability (NGRT subsection) 2. Reading comprehension (NGRT subsection) These measures come from the reading tests administered at baseline (March 2013), and at the post-tests (June 2013 and September 2013).	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026