Independent review of DreamBox Maths

Read the independent review of DreamBox Maths conducted by Sarah Wakinshaw, an experienced educator with over 19 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development and SATs preparation.

Sarah described the programme as:

An innovative online maths programme designed to support pupils in independent learning and develop in mathematics in an enjoyable, interactive and engaging way.

The well-designed and impressive features embed its effectiveness as a fantastic tool to complement KS1, KS2 and KS3 maths, with its impact on increasing pupil knowledge, progress and attainment, fundamentally supported by a wealth of research-based evidence.

Hear what else she had to say about DreamBox Math’s personalised approach, lesson design, progress tracking and research behind the programme.

Independent learning

DreamBox Maths offers pupils the opportunity to work independently and at their own pace. As recommended in the research, ‘Improving Mathematics in Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3’ (EEF, 2022), this “encourages pupils to take responsibility for, and play an active role in, their own learning.”

Covering 90% of the maths National Curriculum, the individualised learning pupil experience in maths lessons is seamlessly extended through the use of this programme – reinforcing and building upon quality first teaching to help deepen pupils’ understanding of mathematical concepts through a variety of engaging tasks, games and activities.

The programme can be used flexibly as a whole-class session, as an intervention or for homework.

Personalised and inclusive approach

One of the key beneficial features of DreamBox Maths is its ability to personalise learning for each pupil. Whilst multiple pupils access the programme simultaneously, each will work on tasks tailored to their individual learning paths ensuring that every pupil, regardless of their current attainment level, can access and achieve through the programme.

Individual progress is tracked from each pupil’s starting point, allowing for continuous adaptation of the tasks to meet their evolving needs.

Broadening and deepening understanding

DreamBox Maths encourages pupils to develop both conceptual knowledge and practical skills, making it a well-rounded tool for maths learning.

The programme’s carefully considered progressive nature focusing on developing fluency can then be applied to enhance problem solving skills and reasoning, supporting the ‘Research Review Series: Mathematics’ (Ofsted, 2021), which states that “useful facts and efficient and accurate methods are ideally paired within a topic sequence. Strategies for solving problem types are then best taught and learned once pupils can recall and deploy facts and methods with speed and accuracy.”

Engaging with this mix of elements, in an order that supports good mathematical fluency first, enables pupils to deepen their mathematical understanding in a captivating way.

Support, scaffold and challenge

It is clear that purposeful consideration of pedagogy was of utmost importance as DreamBox Maths excels in providing robust support, scaffolds and challenge for all pupils.

For pupils with SEND, or those who are lower attainers, you can assign tasks from a lower year group while maintaining an age-appropriate and engaging environment. This is invaluable in supporting their confidence and motivation whilst accessing maths concepts specific to their learning needs.

Additionally, the use of manipulatives (like base ten, Rekenrek, grid lines and counters to name a few) replicate those used in classroom lessons which enhances their learning and builds upon existing knowledge. This is in line with recommendations from the EEF, ‘Improving Mathematics in KS2 and KS3’ (2022), which states that “manipulatives (physical objects used to teach maths) and representations can help pupils engage with mathematical ideas.”

DreamBox Maths values the importance of using these representations, which is also highlighted by the NCETM (2017): “(The) intention is to support pupils in ‘seeing’ the mathematics, rather than using the representation as a tool to ‘do’ the mathematics. These representations become mental images that students can use to think about and discuss mathematics, supporting them to achieve a deep understanding.”

Similarly, DreamBox Maths also uses scaffolds to support learners with misconceptions. For example, pupils can listen to task instructions, which can be repeated if needed (as if they had a one-to-one teaching assistant).

For pupils who excel, the programme provides appropriate challenges, ensuring higher attainers remain engaged and stimulated.

Lesson design

When pupils complete tasks in the KS2 learning environment, they are first taught to use visual representations and manipulatives. Rather than being shown how to solve the maths tasks, exploring the maths tools deepen their grasp of key concepts, which ultimately enhances their fluency, problem-solving abilities and the development of efficient strategies.

Mistakes are used as learning opportunities, helping to reduce anxiety and encouraging a positive approach to challenges and independent problem solving. If pupils continue to struggle, the carefully designed scaffolding tiers guide them through the problem with reassuring verbal cues, reinforcing their learning journey – despite setbacks – and adjusting their level accordingly.

Engagement

This programme, created by game developers, is designed to engage pupils through high-quality graphics, game-play narratives and content. For KS1 pupils, it offers ‘story’ adventures featuring age-appropriate characters and worlds, such as Pirate Pete and Dinosaur Land. Meanwhile, KS2 pupils embark on a star collection challenge, decorating a pi symbol as they complete tasks on their chosen cards.

This added layer of fun and competitive element enhances the overall excitement, motivating pupils to improve their maths skills.

Teacher assessment and tracking progress

The Teacher page on the dashboard provides an intuitive, user-friendly way for educators to track pupil progress. With colour-coded symbols, teachers can quickly identify which pupils are meeting their lesson targets, which strands they’ve mastered, and highlight areas where pupils may be struggling. When these indicators appear, the programme automatically adjusts the pupil’s learning path to provide tailored support.

The dashboard offers valuable assessment data that teachers can use to make informed decisions about assignments. Educators can assign specific maths concepts to individuals, groups, or even the entire class based on current needs. For instance, if rounding is an area for improvement, teachers can assign a focused six-week block on this topic, temporarily overriding the standard adaptive game cards. This strategic assignment can help target skill gaps and boost progress. Similarly, the assignment feature can be used for reviewing prior knowledge, reinforcing key skills and ensuring concepts are retained in long-term memory.

The Standards Report which teachers have access to further enhances this tool by providing a detailed overview of pupil progress across specific strands. This data can be used to inform lesson planning and to identify groups of pupils who may benefit from additional intervention. Available in both individual and class views, this report is an invaluable formative assessment resource, making it a standout feature of the programme.

Research and impact

DreamBox Maths is supported by rigorous research from highly-acclaimed organisations such as Harvard and ESSA (the American equivalent of the EEF), which demonstrate its high level of effectiveness in improving pupil outcomes.

Studies show that spending just one hour a week on the programme leads to significant progress and attainment. For the best results, it is recommended that pupils engage with the platform for 15-20 minutes daily, or three 30-minute sessions per week. This optimal usage allows learners to fully benefit from the programme’s personalised features, helping them build a strong mathematical foundation, and the ability to transfer these skills into their learning, statutory assessments and beyond.

Overall, DreamBox Maths is a highly effective, personalised and engaging tool for supporting independent learning in mathematics. Its comprehensive, adaptive features make it an excellent supplementary resource for pupils, helping to deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts, allowing teachers to track and support their progress across the maths curriculum. With powerful backing from research and real-life case studies, DreamBox Maths proves to be an invaluable asset for pupils and teachers alike.

Test if DreamBox Maths is right for your pupils! Book a call to discuss a free four-week pilot to see if the programme can meet your school’s maths needs.

“I would recommend DreamBox Maths to any school who are looking for an additional maths programme to use in their school. It supports general arithmetic and those who may be ‘spotlight’ children that you need to focus on. It’s a brilliant assessment tool as well. The kids absolutely love it, and they’re looking forward to coming in every morning to play it.”

Amy Brewis, Year 4 Class Teacher, St Annes.

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