Customer Story: Altwood CofE School

Altwood Church of England School, under the guidance of Adam Lawson, Assistant Head Teacher, has seen remarkable success using Access GCSEPod to drive both academic achievement and independent learning. The school initially chose Access GCSEPod to support students in their journey toward self-directed study and to offer a flexible, centralised platform for revision.

Access GCSEPod is now a cornerstone in their teaching and learning strategy, providing valuable resources for students in Humanities, English, and other subjects. Key results include improved student confidence, better engagement, and in some cases, students achieving significantly higher than their target grades.

• Boosted student confidence: GCSEPod increased students' self-belief, with many improving their performance and achieving higher than expected grades.
• Improved exam performance: Students who engaged with GCSEPod saw up to four grades higher than their target levels across all subjects.
• Enhanced support for SEND learners:  GCSEPod's structured format helped SEND and lower-attaining students visualise their progress and stay engaged.
• Engaging study tools: Features like “Check and Challenge” quizzes motivated students to compete with themselves and improve their scores.
• Comprehensive revision resource: GCSEPod provided a centralised platform for revision, making it easier for students to prepare effectively for exams.
• Expanding departmental use: Initially adopted in Humanities and English, GCSEPod is now expanding into other subject areas to support learning across the school.

Supporting independent learning

Altwood School values Access GCSEPod for its ability to help students develop strong independent learning habits, particularly from Key Stage 3. "The platform has provided a better foundation for students to become more self-sufficient in their studies," says Mr Lawson. The lesson-by-lesson structure ensures that students can work through topics independently while also receiving structured guidance. This blend of independence and support has been key to improving academic results.

Engaging SEND and low-attaining students  

One of the standout benefits of Access GCSEPod for Altwood is how well it supports students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as well as those with lower prior attainment. "Our SEND students find the structure of Access GCSEPod particularly helpful," explains Mr Lawson. "They can visually track their progress through a course, which has been a game changer for their engagement." This feature ensures that all students, regardless of their starting point, can experience success and build confidence.

Data-driven insights for teachers  

The reporting functionality in Access GCSEPod allows teachers to monitor student engagement and correlate it with progress. Mr Lawson notes, "We use the data to benchmark student engagement against their progress, helping us identify where extra support is needed." This data-driven approach enables targeted interventions, ensuring no student falls behind and everyone has the opportunity to excel.

Encouraging competitiveness and motivation  

Students at Altwood have become highly engaged with the "Check and Challenge" quizzes, fostering a sense of competition and self-improvement. "Our students enjoy the instant feedback and have become self-competitive, always trying to beat their previous scores," says Lawson. This feature motivates students to stay engaged and continually improve their knowledge in a fun, interactive way.

A comprehensive revision resource 

Access GCSEPod serves as a "one-stop shop" for revision, which has streamlined exam preparation at Altwood. "Students now have one centralised platform for all their revision needs," adds Lawson. This is particularly useful as students no longer need to jump between multiple resources, making their revision process more focused and effective.

Widespread departmental adoption 

Initially implemented in Humanities and English, Access GCSEPod's use at Altwood is expanding to other departments. "We are widening the number of subjects that use Access GCSEPod," explains Lawson. As the platform proves its worth across multiple subjects, it has become an integral part of the school's long-term learning strategy.

Find out how Access GCSEPod can support learning in your school

Access GCSEPod is the perfect tool for schools looking to enhance their teaching and learning strategies. Its structured approach supports both independent and classroom-based learning, while the variety of resources, from videos to quizzes, ensures students are engaged and motivated. If you're ready to see how Access GCSEPod can transform learning at your school, book a demo today to explore its full potential.