Power Maths review by Nathalie

Date: 26.04.2022

Review subject: Maths

Phase: Primary

Reviewer: Nathalie, Teacher

Urban Academy 213 pupils in Staffordshire
Ofsted rating: Requires improvement
FSM: 24.9%

Review rating:

Average rating across all Power Maths reviews: 3.5/5

How well does it match the curriculum?

Reasonably: It’s good enough for the money, but needs some additional resources

Some lessons are convoluted and over complicated - more than curriculum expects.

How well does it support your school’s inclusion/diversity/equal opportunities policy?

Well: The content is inclusive and sensitively presented

No issues with this.

How well does it support differentiation for the full range of the classes you use it with?

Badly: There isn’t enough range or some the age-related expectations are misaligned

Far too difficult for the majority of the class.

How well does it engage and motivate pupils?

Badly: Pupils don’t really enjoy using it

Children constantly feel like they are failing.

How well supported is it by accompanying formative assessments?

Reasonably: There is some formative assessment included, but its usefulness is a bit limited

Good provision of verbal questions in teachers guide but not enough practice qs for pupils to allow them to get to grips with a method before adding challenge.

How well does it support planning?

Reasonably: Mostly we can use it without an unreasonable amount of effort or additional resource requirement

Again, needs complimenting with extra practice. No homework provision.

How well does it support home use / independent learning?

Badly: It’s not really suitable for home use or independent learning

Majority of pupils cannot access independently. No homework provision.

How would you rate it for value for money compared to similar resources?

Badly: It really isn’t worth investing the time or money in introducing this resource at a school like mine

I don't believe it suits our pupils at all.

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