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2030
IMPROVING LIFE OPPORTUNITiES for over 5 million Learners worldwide by 2030
13 doctors. 100 dedicated educationalists, researchers and technologists. 8 years in the making. Sparx is on a mission - Ed5M - to help improve the world through learning via a new scientifically proven approach to the teaching and learning experience.
WhERE ARE WE TODAY?
2019
IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE
80%
80% of teachers seriously considering walking away from the profession.*
16HRS
Average number of hours teachers spend working at home per week.*
10,800
The current shortfall in teacher numbers in secondary schools today.*
But sadly, the potential of education technology remains just that. As a wider industry, we need to be less consumed with quick sales and low-touch solutions that negate long-term or any contact with schools. The UK’s EdTech output is littered with the remnants of those ‘next big things’ and echoes of empty promises and flights of fancy.
And we must be less obsessed with courting marketing buzzwords such as AI, AR and VR, focusing instead on how we can use technology in harmony with the essential skill of the teacher. We believe that placing teachers and learners at the heart of technology solutions is the key to transforming the learning experience. More IA – less AI – a new form of personalised learning can deliver the right results.
A
I
Let’s talk numbers for a moment. At the start of 2019, teacher workload is at an all-time high. A typical teacher will spend 16 hours working from home per week to keep apace of their mounting duties. 80% of teachers are seriously considering walking away from the profession. To make matters worse, there is a shortfall of 10,800 teachers in UK secondary schools alone today.
* National Education Union Teacher Workload Survey, March 2018
Thinking about numbers… The impact of poor numeracy skills continues to impact generations and societal and economic prosperity. One in five adults in England are classed as innumerate, with poor numeracy skills leaving individuals with lower social capital. With this, the odds of being unemployed are doubled, with the impact on productivity in the workplace costing the UK economy an eye-watering 20.2 billion pounds every year.**
** Skills for Life 2011; PIAAC 2014; National Numeracy YouGov Survey 2014
£20.2 BILLION
Education Technology has the potential to make significant improvements to the teaching and learning experience to help change all of this.
HOW WE WORK WITH SCHOOLS
IT'S ABOUT THE
LONG TERM
For us, there are no shortcuts. We believe it is essential to support schools for the longer term – making a real difference. Founded in 2010 by visionary mathematician Dr Mark Dixon, we have spent the past eight years researching and developing a scientifically proven new approach to learning. Driven by Mark’s desire to effect lasting and transformative improvements to the learning experience, we’re paving the way to improve the life opportunities of millions of learners worldwide
DRIVING
CHANGE
TODAY
Since 2010, Sparx has been collaborating with schools to reimagine the way maths is taught and learnt. Our personalised approach to learning has had a significant impact on student progress for both disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students.
As well, a recent test showed one of our schools, with nearly 50% disadvantaged pupils, had the highest rate of progress in Year 7 and 8 maths among 16 schools across their county.* Sparx is currently working with schools across the UK, including many of those in the Ted Wragg Trust and Education South West. Our next mission is to reach learners around the world.
Sparx has provided us with the ability to be cutting edge, to really go beyond outstanding and to actually be exceptional. One of the best projects we have ever taken on is Sparx, without a doubt.
Moira Marder – CEO Ted Wragg Trust
TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN
Sparx’s mission is to ‘improve the world through learning’. We are committed to driving positive change through effective use of education technology. But, it is our collective responsibility to address teacher workload and improve the learning experience. We welcome every opportunity to work with schools, the wider EdTech community and government bodies to make this happen.
There are many ways in which you can find out more about our mission and join us on our journey to improve the life opportunities for over five million learners worldwide.
JOIN US
Improving the world through learning
A Think Piece by Sparx
Making Maths
count
Bett 2019 presentation on how we’re approaching the challenge of poor numeracy and our solution to help improve life opportunities.
A Think Piece by Sparx - Edition 1, January 2019
Improving the world through learning #1
Improving the world through learning #2
A Think Piece by Sparx - Edition 2, June 2019
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By working with schools, in schools and for schools we understand the challenges they face and we are passionate about being able to help. Find out more about joining the journey and becoming a Sparx School.
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CEO, Sparx
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