What teachers and evaluators have to say...

Professional evaluations
School case studies
Comments from teachers

Professional evaluations

Spark Island Online is an approved content provider for Curriculum Online and the following evaluations can also be viewed on the Curriculum Online website. Click here to view them.

"On first inspection, Spark Island Online appears to be a very useful resource that tests pupils' knowledge of skills and supports their learning in cores subjects at KS1 and KS2. The site is well designed, easy to navigate and should engage most primary age pupils. It functions equally well as a virtual world for pupils to explore, and as a resource for teachers. Learning outcomes are clearly outlined for each activity. This makes it relatively simple for teachers to plan and deliver specific lessons that meet the learning needs of their pupils... I am looking forward to using it in the classroom."
Conclusion of primary classroom evaluation by Evaluate, Autumn 2003. Click here to see the full evaluation.

"This site is very good way of embedding ICT into Literacy, Numeracy and Science and with the added teacher 'toolkit' it takes much of the burden of planning and time-rich research away from the class teacher. The site is well worth looking at!"
From the classroom evaluation by Schoolzone, Autumn 2003. Click here to see the full evaluation.

"Spark Island is a fun website where great care has been taken to try to match the activities to the learning objectives in Literacy, Numeracy and Science. The site can be trusted for its accuracy and pedagogic approach"
Conclusion of case study in TEEM evaluation of Spark Island, 2002. Click here to see the full evaluation.

"The site is professionally presented and children found the age-differentiated characters appealing. All teachers reported children's increased and sustained enthusiasm when using the resources. The reward systems of megahops and gold medals were commented upon as being particularly motivating, as were the Numeracy games and interactivities"
Extract from Digital Learning Services Evaluation of Spark Island. Prepared by Becta for DfES, February 2002. Click here to see the report in full.

General comments about the site from teachers and advisors

I am very impressed with the site and would love to see more of it! Deborah Brook, Galley Common School, Nr. Nuneaton
We have just completed an Ofsted - ICT found a curriculum strength! Working with you is a part of our recipe for success and I made certain that your names were mentioned in dispatches at my curriculum leader's interview... Pat Martin, the ICT co-ordinator at Chantry Community Primary School, Bexhill-on-sea, Sussex
I like how you have linked activities directly to the National Literacy Strategy. I am looking forward to using this site again. Potters Green School, Coventry
I would like to congratulate all of you at Sparkisland.com on an excellent ICT teaching resource. My computer club members have just spent an hour after school exploring the literacy activities - which they absolutely loved! St Michael's CE Primary School, Saddlebow, Norfolk
Thanks, successfully subscribed, looked at 'synonym game' for Y5 (on my planning for this week). I'm impressed! IT Co-Ordinator, Mansel Primary, Sheffield

Thank you for this wonderful offer, teachers are finding it new and useful. ICT Co-Ordinator, Raynham Primary School.
I will be spreading the word of your website amongst my colleagues and my Y5/6 children will be taking part in the many activities.......... Looking forward to using the lesson plans etc; good luck with your website John Staveley, Waverley Primary School, Doncaster
An interesting site and worth the free trial! Paul Heinrich, ICT adviser, Portsmouth City Council
Thank you so much for offering this free trial. It has given me a chance to show the staff at school what is on offer. They are impressed with the graphics and the links to the curriculum. Karen Pickles, Clifton College, Butcombe
I stumbled upon your site by accident and from the short time I've had a look around it, I must say that I'm very impressed. I've shown the site to some of my colleagues at school and they are very interested too. I look forward to investigating the site further and sharing it with my pupils. Catherine Purnell, St James CofE Primary School, Lancashire
I am interested and impressed by the contents of Spark Island and hope to promote the site among schools which I come into contact with. Frances McKinney, Curriculum Support - ICT, NEELB, Antrim
I decided to send you an e-mail on the strength of the quality of your web site. It is exceptionally professional, has obviously been meticulously put together and is very well thought out. I had a quick go on "Find the Sun" which was very slick! Tim Cutting

Comments on specific learning activities

TV Time

Year 3 Term 2, National Literacy Strategy (NLS)

Did you find the activity worthwhile on an educational level?

I feel the style, content, subject etc are spot on. A really good activity to include in the literacy planning for group activity during the Spring term.