SCHOOLS in Devon, including Holsworthy Community College, are helping close the gap for disadvantaged pupils thanks to a new personalised learning approach.

Exeter education company Sparx has developed a new approach to personalised learning, which has been utilised at Holsworthy Community College. It is hoped this new approach could provide a solution to halting the increasing educational gap between under-privileged and privileged children.

Personalised learning — an approach involving tailoring education to each child’s needs — is thought to be one answer to ensuring every child fulfils their potential. However, some critics said it has, in the past, had the opposite effect, with overburdened teachers struggling to differentiate for each and every child and disadvantaged pupil becoming trapped by low predicted grades. Now, Dan Sandhu, chief executive of Sparx, said a new form of personalised learning could be the way to deliver the right result: “Sparx has spent seven years working with local schools to research this new approach. The impact on pupil progress, and particularly on disadvantaged pupils, has been staggering I the school which have adopted it. Free School Meals (FSM) pupils are now making equal progress to non-FSM.”

Sparx is working with schools across Devon including many of those in the Ted Wragg Trust and Education South West, and has just started working with Westcountry Schools Trust, which includes Callington Community College.

Dan said: “Together we have developed a platform — initially for maths homework — where the best of modern technology works in harmony with the essential skill of the teacher. The system carefully assesses what level a pupil is at and sets and marks bespoke homework for each student. It adapts to ensure they are being stretched and provides insights for the teachers which help them support each pupil.”

The approach, which involved pupils completing both online task and bookwork, is proving popular with teachers and students alike. It is saving each teacher around two hours a week on admin, planning and marking and students are more motivated and confident in the subject.

The system has been implemented at Holsworthy Community College and David Hosie, head of mathematics, said his pupils seem more engaged with the subject already after only four months using the new system. He said: “We started using Sparx in September 2018 and so far have been really impressed with the results. Our students seem more engaged with maths and more importantly are making significant progress. The system allows us to track and personalise work to each student so they get really tailored homework that both challenges and motivates them. We’re only four months into our Sparx journey and can’t wait to see what happens further down the line.”