Disclosure: AD, this is a sponsored post, however all opinions are 100% my own.

As a mum to a 9-year-old boy, we have entered a period of schooling where results are starting to matter more. School days are still fun but we now need to think about whether our son is in a good place ready for secondary school. I wish we had started to think about this a bit earlier, he's doing very well. However, I've noticed there are increased assessments at school and many focus particularly on Maths and English fluency.

We will have to apply to schools in October so it's not actually as far away as we thought. In our area, schools also have banding tests or they are Grammar schools so we will have to consider the 11+ exams as well.

So understandably, as many of you will know we are entering a phase when our children may need a bit more help outside of the classroom.

How to Engage Your Little Students Online with Atom Learning

We've found a great way to offer this much needed extra help is with a tutor. We have tried various options from small groups face-to-face and virtual teachers. We find our son learns better with an online classroom. He finds the learning experience less daunting as it's less like the large, physical classroom at school. However, every child is different and the ideal situation is to find a fun way for them to learn and feel at ease whilst still improving their knowledge. If you're looking for an alternative to a traditional classroom then the key concepts behind engaging students in their own learning is so important to move forward.

What is Atom Learning?

We are currently trying Atom Learning. This is a programme ‌designed‌ ‌for students‌ ‌aged‌ ‌7-11‌ ‌years‌ ‌old‌ ‌following ‌the core curriculum of Key‌ ‌Stage‌ ‌2‌, (Years 3-6 in the UK). They focus on the subject areas of Maths, English and Science. The virtual learning programme also specifically helps children transition‌ ‌to‌ ‌secondary‌ ‌school.‌ ‌

Children learn by logging into the platform and interacting with questions, video tutorials, online classes and resources.

All of the resources are produced by teachers and there are 90,000 questions, video tutorials, help sheets and recorded lessons that map back to the National Curriculum.

Though this might seem overwhelming, there’s no need to worry as you will receive a tailored plan for your child and will be able to see their progress and areas which need improvement. They will be treated as an individual, not one of many online students.

They also offer the option to learn in extra group projects with an online course in the school holidays on different topics.

How did we find this virtual classroom?

The first thing that we noticed on the online platform is the volume of resources on offer is far more than we could dream of finding and analysing ourselves.

It's an easy way to make sure you are supporting your child and maximising their chances to do well should they sit an exam. Not only that, the online environment means there is always access to lessons in whichever new concepts your child is learning in or out of school. There's no scrambling around googling 'modal verbs' for example, as you know the information is at your fingertips.

The activities are engaging, with colourful, fun, moving graphics and simple buttons for children to submit their answers or even to say they aren't sure about something.

My son found the lessons a good way to familiarise himself with the type of language used in school and in assessments. It also helped us as parents. We find often your child can be trying to explain what they learn in class. However, due to the changes in the curriculum since we all studied, sometimes it can be hard to know in which way you should teach your child. Or the language you use to describe a topic may have changed, along with the method which can further confuse your little student!

This brought so much clarity for us all knowing what he's learning now, what his teacher calls each lesson and how we can support him.

Of course, as parents, the main thing for us is that he actually enjoyed taking part in the lessons. It's the best way we've found for him to learn outside of school and with little resistance!

Like most busy families we find it very practical. You can log in and complete work when it fits your commitments. If your child is exhausted from after school clubs one evening you can choose a better time when they have a fresher mind. This flexibility is so important for us, and I can imagine this is why it suits many homes.

11+ Exam Preparation

Having moved to Kent last year, we are deep in grammar school territory! We hadn't considered how many of our school choices would have to include Grammar, Independent or Banding test schools.

If you are considering a tutor for these exams, Atom also specialises in these school admission preparations. Even offering help with particular grammar school tests, such as for us The Kent Test. Through the platform, I've found out about the exam board and exactly what is covered in each exam, how long it takes and more. This has saved me so much time researching.

In the 11+ curriculum students are taught the learning process to succeed in English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning.

There are some great reviews on Trustpilot of children doing well in these exams following this online education, which is always comforting. Plus they have an active customer service and well regarded chat feature to offer assistance.

Private tutor or Atom Learning?

This is such a surprise for us as we were not expecting to find a potential replacement for a private tutor. We thought that the programme would be a complimentary resource alongside one. However, we are now considering swapping purely to Atom and no longer having a private online instructor.

Due to the student engagement strategies in the programme my son is focused and actively taking part in the lessons. He also wanted to complete more and gain rewards in the programme.

We’ve found it's building his confidence and on a practical level, it couldn’t fit more easily around our schedule.

It's proved to be an effective way to see how he's improving, which is useful and positive for his self-esteem.

Lastly the cost. It costs much less than a private tutor and yet the value is very high. In a year where we are all facing a bit of a squeeze, this has to be a consideration.

Learn more

If you are interested in learning more, Atom Learning starts from £9.99 a month and goes up to £59.99 a month depending on which package you select.

To recap!

Atom Learning is an online learning platform that offers personalized and adaptive learning for students. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide students with a tailored learning experience based on their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Atom Learning provides resources for students aged 7 upwards and covers a range of subjects, including mathematics, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. The platform offers interactive video lessons, practice questions, and tests that adapt to the student's ability level.

Atom Learning is used by schools, tutors, and parents to supplement students' learning and help them achieve better results. The platform's goal is to make learning more engaging and effective by using AI technology to create a personalized learning experience.

Atom Learning also offers 11 plus preparation courses for students who are preparing for the 11 plus exam. The 11 plus exam is an entrance exam taken by students in the UK who are in their final year of primary school and are seeking admission to grammar schools and some independent schools.

Atom Learning's 11 plus preparation courses cover the key topics that are tested in the 11 plus exam, including mathematics, English, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. The platform uses AI technology to adapt to the student's individual needs and provide personalized practice questions and tests to help them improve their skills and prepare for the exam.

Atom Learning's 11 plus courses include video lessons, practice questions, and mock exams. The platform also provides progress tracking and performance analysis tools for parents and tutors to monitor the student's progress and identify areas for improvement.

If you are wondering when you should start preparing for the 11 plus exam have a read of our experiences here.

Supporting children's mental health is an important aspect of ensuring their academic success. Here are some tips for supporting children's mental health when studying:

1. Create a positive study environment: A calm and comfortable environment can help children feel relaxed and focused while studying. Make sure the study area is well-lit and free from distractions such as noise or clutter.

2. Encourage breaks: Taking regular breaks can help children recharge and refocus. Encourage them to take short breaks every 30-45 minutes to stretch, move around, or engage in a relaxing activity such as deep breathing.

3. Provide healthy snacks and hydration: Providing healthy snacks and drinks such as water, fruits, and nuts can help children stay energized and focused while studying.

4. Offer emotional support: Encourage children to express their emotions and feelings and validate their experiences. Listen actively, offer support and help them find ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

5. Promote physical activity: Physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood. Encourage children to engage in physical activities such as sports, yoga, or walking.

6. Set realistic expectations: Help children set realistic goals and expectations and celebrate their achievements. Avoid putting too much pressure on them, as this can lead to stress and anxiety.

Remember, it's essential to create a safe and supportive environment that encourages open communication, fosters positive relationships, and promotes a healthy work-life balance to support children's mental health when studying.

Lastly It's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case your child does not pass the 11 plus exam. Here are some tips on what you can do:

1. Explore alternative school options: Consider alternative school options such as independent schools, state schools, or faith-based schools that do not require the 11 plus exam.

2. Consider appealing the exam: If your child had a very close result, request an appeal and the test to be re-marked. Also thnk about other tests in your area where the pass mark is slightly lower.

3. Look into entrance exams for other schools: Research other schools that have their own entrance exams or admission requirements and explore those options.

4. Consider private tutoring: Consider hiring a private tutor to provide additional support and help your child improve their skills in areas where they struggled during the 11 plus exam. Atom Learning now also provide 121 tutors for all subjects.

5. Support your child emotionally: Remember that exams can be stressful for children. Offer emotional support and encouragement to help them feel motivated and confident regardless of the exam outcome.

It's important to remember that the 11 plus exam is just one aspect of your child's academic journey, and there are many other ways to achieve academic success. Encourage your child to stay positive, work hard, and pursue their goals, regardless of the exam outcome.

It is useful for your child to have some exam experience. For example in our area of Kent most schools have banding tests and these are not grammar schools. Our son was incredibly nervous about this but after the first one found it a starighfroward and not too anxious experience. This has helped him now as he does SATs in Year 6.

However, the 11+ exam does put an enormous amount of pressure on children and it's important to recognise it and not overlook this underlying stress your child is under.

Often we have studied for this for over a year and in the last few months, every evening there are practice tests you might be giving your child. Be mindful of how they feel and keep some perspective about their performance on the day. Hopefully you will get a positive result but if not your disappointment can be very apparent to your child. It's key to remember that there are lots of good schools and your child can still be thriving outside of the grammar environment.