- School-level randomisation: Schools are randomly allocated to either receive the RtL / DiDd programme first (experimental group) or later (wait-listed control group). All learners within a school follow the same allocation.
- Learners will complete online literacy and language assessments under teacher supervision.
- The experimental group receives the RtL / DiDd programme first; the control group continues the usual curriculum and receives the programme later.
- Schools will be visited for fidelity checks to ensure the criteria for the programme are being met and to gain feedback.
- At the end of the study, the research team will provide a school-level report showing overall progress. Individual pupil data will not be shared.
- Assessments are not diagnostic tools for identifying literacy difficulties.
- Participation in a structured literacy programme designed to support reading and language development
- Opportunities to practise key literacy skills in a supportive environment
- Sessions are interactive and designed to boost engagement and confidence
- Improved progress across other Areas of Learning and Experience
- Enjoyable, engaging and high-quality story-based classroom activities
Confidentiality and data protection
- Your child’s participation is strictly confidential.
- Data will be anonymised and stored securely. Only authorised researchers will have access.
- Anonymised datasets may be shared publicly for scientific purposes.
GDPR Statement
The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulations allow individuals control over their personal data and how it is used. Under GDPR, Bangor University is the data controller in relation to personal data collected and processed for the purposes of this study. The lawful basis for collecting personal data in this study is ‘public task’ (as defined in the Data Protection Act 2018). Further information about an individual’s rights over personal data is available from the University’s website: (https://www.bangor.ac.uk/governance-and-compliance/dataprotection/index.php.en)
Withdrawing from the study
- Your child will take part in Read to Learn / Darllen i Ddysgu as part of normal classroom activity and the school’s literacy strategy.
- However, you may withdraw your child from the research component of Read to Learn/ Darllen i Ddysgu. This would mean that we will not collect any data pertaining to your child’s reading ability before and after the trial.
- If you decide to remove your child from the trial component after we have collected the data, we may request for their data to be removed up until the point that the data becomes anonymised, at which point it will not be possible to remove their data.
Funding and ethical approval
This study is conducted by Prof. Manon Jones and her team at Bangor University and is funded by the Welsh Government.
It has been approved by Bangor University Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 2026-1211). Coleg Meddygaeth ac Iechyd College of Medicine and Health Ysgol Gwyddor Seicoleg a Chwaraeon School of Psychology and Sport Science
If you have any general queries about CAL:ON or its projects:
Email: Calonysgol@bangor.ac.uk
If you have any queries about this specific project:
Email: Calon.rtl@bangor.ac.uk