We are delighted to inform you that from next week students in Year 7 will be completing their independent maths learning with Sparx Maths; an exciting online platform that offers every student personalised maths independent learning.
We know that parents and carers want to support student’s maths progress so we’ve put together this information explaining how Sparx works and why it is important to make sure that maths independent learning is 100% completed.
How does Sparx independent learning work?
Sparx personalises each child’s independent learning, creating a weekly set of questions tailored to their level of understanding and learning pace. The questions are designed to be achievable whilst offering the stretch that learners need to make progress.
Each week, topics are set by the student’s maths teacher and will make up the majority of the independent learning questions. Questions from previous topics will also be included in the independent learning so that students can keep practising the skills they have learned.
How can I help my child with their independent learning?
We appreciate that parents and carers want to support students with their home learning but please try not to help them with a question until they’ve had a go first! It is really important that students complete their independent learning on their own, and that questions are marked as correct. If they need to they can watch the support video and this way, Sparx can make sure students continue to see homework that’s at the right level for them. If students are helped too frequently the independent learning may get too difficult too quickly.
Why does my child need to achieve 100% compulsory independent learning completion?
Sparx independent learning is deliberately designed to help students really get to grips with and understand the concepts and skills they are learning by ensuring they cover the essential building blocks needed to make progress in maths. Sparx’ research (sparx.co.uk/evidence) has shown that an average of 60 minutes a week of this type of personalised maths learning leads to clear progress. It is therefore advised that students do their independent learning as early as possible, so they have the time to have a go themselves and seek help from their teacher if needed. Independent learning is not marked as complete until all of the compulsory questions have been answered correctly, so starting early is key to finishing before hand-in time.
You can keep track of your child’s independent learning completion in the weekly email you will receive from Sparx. If you do not wish to receive these emails then you will be able to opt out by clicking on a link within the body of the email.
We hope you agree that Sparx will play an exciting and important role in helping student’s understanding, success and confidence in maths to grow.
If you have any questions, please feel free to be in contact with your child’s class teacher.
Kind regards
Sadie Griffin
Head of Maths
