Rocket Phonics brochure 2025 - Flipbook - Page 6
Impact Trial 2021-2023
In 2021, we launched a two-year Impact Trial in a selected group of UK primary
schools. Working with two independent evaluators from Nottingham Trent
University and the University of Birmingham, the Trial aimed to measure the
impact of Rocket Phonics on reading attainment and reading enjoyment in
comparison with other schools using other SSP programmes.
Findings have shown that Rocket Phonics is a well-liked, easy-to-use
programme which is effective in teaching and embedding the phonics skills
children need to become successful readers.
KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS*
Nearly all pupils using Rocket Phonics,
including those starting Year 1 with very
low phonics knowledge, made a rapid and
measurable increase in phonics knowledge
by the end of the year indicating that the
programme works for children across a range
of abilities.
Compared with those using other SSP
programmes, teachers’ attitudes towards
teaching phonics were far more positive
amongst Rocket Phonics schools.
Average scores from PiRA, Hachette Learning’s
standardised reading test, showed that
attainment in schools using Rocket Phonics
was lower than those in the non-user schools
at the start of Reception. By the end of the
year, this had shifted to slightly above
non-user schools, although these data were
not statistically significant.
Read the
impact study
here
Teachers using Rocket Phonics believe that
the resources work: across both years in which
data was captured, 100% said the resources
benefitted the children.
*The research referenced in this
summary refers to multiple longitudinal
studies, interviews, surveys and
independent analyses, including three
sets of findings based on a controlled
trial methodology, the EEF ‘gold
standard’ for demonstrating efficacy
and impact.
6
hachettelearning.com/reading-planet/rocket-phonics
I’ve taught Year One children for
a few years now and I noticed a big
difference in the year ones that came
up this year (who had completed
Rocket Phonics in Reception) than I had
in my previous years. They knew
a lot more sounds, they were just
more confident, and their reading
level seems to be higher.
Trial school teacher
