Hammersmith Academy

How we use Up Learn

We use Up Learn as a tool to supplement classroom teaching. I set a minimum of three hours on Up Learn every week on consolidating topics that have already been covered, although students can go ahead if they like.

Students use Up Learn during study periods and after school. I encourage them to work through a whole section at a time (they only use the exam papers later on in the year).

Every student has access to the full course even when they are in Y12, so that they can start in April-May and can work on Up Learn over the summer. I find that there’s a tipping point once students start gaining more XP and their Up Intelligence increases.

Why we use Up Learn

I first heard about Up Learn through one of my students who’d been using it. I was impressed when I looked into it. I like the course overview and the way that it tracks how much work you’ve done on each section of the course. In the past, I’ve found that students have tended to only revise the topics that they ‘like’ studying. Up Learn prevents that and encourages them to tackle stuff they need to improve on. 

I find it helpful having access to student data. I use it for conversations with students about how much effort they’re putting in. Parents also like this tangible evidence of the effort their children are putting in.

The impact we’ve seen

Up Learn works best for the students who are motivated to work hard. However, Up Learn is good because it’s accessible for students working at all levels – their ability doesn’t matter.