A parent's guide to the maths websites schools use
Most UK children now do some of their maths homework online. The names change from school to school: Sparx in one, Dr Frost or Corbettmaths in another, Times Tables Rock Stars in primary. This guide explains what each one is for, who it suits and how to get the most from it at home.
Studoli is not connected to any of these sites. Details such as prices and features change, so check each site for the current offer.
The sites at a glance
| Site | What it is | Ages | How you get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparx Maths | Personalised weekly homework, with bookwork checks that ask pupils to show written working | Secondary | Through the school |
| Dr Frost Maths | Practice questions, videos and exam-style questions set by teachers or chosen by pupils | Upper primary to A Level | Free account |
| Corbettmaths | Videos, worksheets, practice papers and the daily 5-a-day questions | Primary to GCSE | Free website |
| White Rose Maths | Schemes of learning that many schools follow, with small-step lessons and resources | Primary and secondary | Mostly through schools, some free resources |
| 1-Minute Maths | A short daily practice app from White Rose for number facts and fluency | Primary | Free app |
| Magma Maths | A classroom platform where pupils work on screen and the teacher sees their working live | Primary and secondary | Through the school |
| IXL | Adaptive practice across the curriculum, with a SmartScore for each skill | Reception to Year 13 | Subscription, with a few free questions a day |
| Times Tables Rock Stars | Timed times tables games and battles | Primary | Through the school |
Which one should my child use?
- Start with whatever the school sets. Teachers can see the results, and homework usually counts.
- For extra GCSE practice, Corbettmaths and Dr Frost are free and close to the exam style. Past papers from the exam board come next.
- For primary number facts, a few minutes a day on 1-Minute Maths, Times Tables Rock Stars or a times tables test builds speed better than one long session a week.
- For a child who is behind, adaptive sites such as IXL find the gaps, but they cannot explain a misunderstanding in the way a person can.
How to get the most from them at home
- Ask your child to show you one question they got wrong and explain it. If they cannot, that topic needs help.
- Make sure written working goes in a book, not just answers typed on screen. Sparx bookwork checks are built on this habit.
- Short, regular sessions beat long ones. Fifteen minutes on most days works better than two hours on Sunday.
- Watch the video before trying again, rather than guessing until the answer turns green.
When a tutor helps more than a website
- When the same topic keeps coming back wrong, because a tutor can see the misunderstanding behind the mistake.
- When your child has lost confidence and avoids maths homework altogether.
- Before GCSE mocks and exams, to plan revision, practise full papers and work on exam technique.
- When moving between Foundation and Higher tier, or aiming for grades 7 to 9.
Foundation or Higher tier: what is the difference?
GCSE Maths is set at two tiers. Foundation papers cover grades 1 to 5, and Higher papers cover grades 4 to 9. Higher includes extra topics such as surds, the cosine rule, circle theorems, histograms and functions.
A student on Foundation cannot get above a grade 5, and a student on Higher who misses grade 4 by a small margin can be awarded a grade 3, so schools choose the tier carefully. If your child is between tiers, ask the maths teacher which tier gives the best chance of the grade they need.
Practise with worked solutions
Try free exam-style questions with worked solutions, or book a tutor for one-to-one help. Your first lesson is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sparx Maths free?
Sparx Maths is paid for by schools, so pupils use it free with their school login. Parents cannot usually buy it on their own.
Is Corbettmaths good for GCSE?
Yes. Corbettmaths has free videos, worksheets, practice papers and 5-a-day questions covering the whole GCSE course, and many teachers recommend it.
What is the difference between Dr Frost and Sparx?
Both set maths practice online. Sparx gives each pupil personalised weekly homework through the school. Dr Frost is free for anyone, with questions and videos pupils or teachers can choose.
Are these websites enough to pass GCSE Maths?
They are excellent for practice. Students who are stuck on the same topics, or who need a higher grade, usually also need someone to explain the ideas and check their working.
What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier GCSE Maths?
Foundation papers cover grades 1 to 5 and Higher papers cover grades 4 to 9, with extra topics. Schools choose the tier that gives each student the best chance of the grade they need.