Flexibility
Schools can either use the SPARX resources as a guide to teaching creatively within their own school programme, or as part of a complete SPARX four-year-cycle programme. It facilitates opportunities for local initiatives and teacher freedom while providing time-saving ideas.
Building Community
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The entire school community can learn about the same or similar topics and thus strengthen a sense of unity in schools and families than wide-ranging topic studies may provide.
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School trips and visits can be arranged for several classes at the one time
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Values education and character development are focused on by the entire staff and pupils at any one time, and thus the entire school can develop and grow together in these areas.
Comprehensive Support for Teachers
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Teachers have good guidance, and yet the freedom for their own personality and objectives to be a part of the teaching programme.
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It provides inspirational material.
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It assists in clear planning, providing a clear and easily-discernible progression of knowledge in each topic area throughout the age groups and levels.
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It saves teachers’ time
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Resource material is readily available to support the curriculum
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Team teaching or specialist teaching are both possible because all age groups are able to study the same or similar subjects
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It facilitates efficient resource-gathering, visits, trips, materials, and visitors
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It is simple and easy to use
Educationally Sound
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It incorporates ideas from some of the most recent educational research:
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Edward de Bono’s Thinking Hats
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Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping ideas and Graphic Organisers
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Inquiry Learning ideas
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Howard Gardner’s Learning Styles
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Bloom’s taxonomy for developing higher-order thinking
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It provides for opportunities for remediation and extension easily (a Year 8 child who needs remedial work on Year 6 understandings could have relevant material and or lessons available, as could a younger child needing extension.
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It enables older children to teach younger children occasionally, thus reinforcing concepts for both age groups
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Pupils will learn more deeply about each topic as each subject interacts with others and a cumulative effect reinforces previous understanding
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A wide range of thinking skills and learning styles will be developed and practised
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Teachers gain the experience and expertise of a wide range of educators and educational advisors
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Schools are able to network with other schools using the programme for advice, moderation, and combined activity
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Schools have the opportunity to be involved in developing the Interact programme through critique, suggestions, and sharing of lesson plans and resources with other schools using the programme via the Interact website.
