Wendi Terry is Deputy Headteacher at Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School. Alongside colleague Gemma Rolinson, she uses Sumdog to support speling and maths in an inclusive, engaging way.
About the school
Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School is based in Powys, Wales. Serving a diverse community, the school places a strong emphasis on spelling and has been using Sumdog since October 2022 to provide engaging, effective ways to boost progress in literacy and numeracy. With a focus on building confidence and supporting a wide range of abilities, teachers aim to ensure every pupil reachers their potential.
Bringing fun and focus to core skills
As part of our school development plan we place particular emphasis on spelling and Sumdog has been invaluable in supporting this. It provides a fun and interactive way for our pupils to strengthen their skills. Each week I set targeted practice and a test, which shows me clearly where children have made mistakes and helps guide my teaching. Since Sumdog, we've noticed a real difference to children's progress in spelling.
I also use Sumdog in our maths provision to reinforce times tables and fractions and to set challenges tailored to assessment results, keeping skills fresh and ensuring pupils receive the support they need.
Flexible, inclusive and motivationg
One of the things I love most about Sumdog is how inclusive it feels. Children can work at their own level without it being obvious to their peers, which helps remove barriers around confidence. The platform adapts to each pupil, while everyone experiences the same fun and engaging games - that inclusivity makes a real difference. I also value the baseline assessments and the clear data they provide, which helps me plan lessons and track progress across the school.
Pupils really enjoy the interactive nature of Sumdog, whether competing in national contests, earning coins, or unlocking in-game rewards. The competitive element has created a real excitement across the school, motivating children to take part and encouraging them to improve their scores.
"By making learning fun, inclusive and effective, Sumdog has become a key part of how we help every pupil achieve their best."
Supporting confidence and growth
Beyond academic skills, Sumdog has supported our wider focus on growth mindset and perseverance. I have seen improved recall, stronger mental maths and greater confidence in spelling, alongside a willingness amongst pupils to tackle challenges. For those who find traditional approaches difficult, Sumdog has opened the door to meaningful progress. One child who previously disengaged from learning now remembers the spelling words she has practised on Sumdog, giving her confidence and a clearway to suucceed.
An essential part of our teaching toolkit
For us, Sumdog is far more than just an add-on. Pupils use it both in the classroom and at home to support learning, whether through spelling practice or maths challenges. Parents often request logins so they can continue supporting their children out of the classsroom. Sumdog is a tool that both complements and strengthens our teaching. By making learning fun, inclusive and effective, it has become a key part of how we help every pupil achieve their best.
