Question 1

How does XTables Champions integrate with a school's existing tools?

Accepted Answer

It is a fully standalone web platform — there are no apps to install, no IT integrations to configure, and no compatibility requirements beyond a modern browser. Students log in with a username and password set by the teacher, on any device: Chromebooks, iPads, Windows laptops, Android tablets, or phones. This means it works across schools regardless of their existing tech infrastructure, and teachers can be set up and running within minutes. There is no requirement to involve IT departments or request software installations.

Question 2

Can teachers set different work for different ability groups?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is one of the platform's most used features. Teachers can assign specific times tables and specific learning levels to individual pupils or defined groups — so a lower-ability group might be working on the 2s at Level 3 while a higher group is on the 7s at Level 8. The assignments appear automatically in each pupil's dashboard when they log in, and completion and accuracy data is fed back to the teacher without any marking. This makes differentiated practice genuinely manageable without creating extra workload.

Question 3

What does the SENCO dashboard show?

Accepted Answer

The SENCO dashboard gives a dedicated, focused view of flagged pupils across the school. For each flagged pupil you can see their specific times table fact gaps, how long they're spending per fact, their error patterns over time, and whether they're improving week-on-week. SENCOs can add private notes to each pupil's profile, set custom learning targets, and generate PDF progress reports suitable for review meetings, EHCPs, or parent communication. The dashboard is designed to support proactive intervention — identifying issues before they become entrenched — rather than just recording what's already known.

Question 4

How do whole-class games work in practice?

Accepted Answer

A teacher launches a times tables game from their dashboard and a class code appears on screen — often projected on the IWB. Every pupil in the class joins by entering the code on their device (no login needed for the session). Games run in real time, with each pupil's score visible on the teacher's screen as the game progresses. The session typically takes 10–15 minutes and works equally well as a lesson starter, a Friday afternoon activity, or a lunchtime club session. Teachers report that even pupils who are usually disengaged during maths become competitive and motivated during whole-class games.

Question 5

Is this suitable for KS1 as well as KS2?

Accepted Answer

The platform is primarily designed for KS2 (Years 3–6), where the formal times tables curriculum sits. However, upper KS1 pupils in Year 2 who are ready to begin the 2, 5, and 10 times tables can use the early levels effectively. The structured 11-level curriculum means content is always age and stage appropriate — a Year 2 child won't be exposed to content beyond their level. Schools often start with Year 3 and 4 as the core cohort, then extend upward and downward based on results. For Year 6, the platform is particularly valuable for plugging gaps ahead of SATs.

Question 6

What does a school licence cost?

Accepted Answer

School pricing is based on the number of pupils in the school, not by class or year group. We offer three tiers: small (up to 100 pupils), medium (up to 300 pupils), and large (300+ pupils). All tiers include the full platform — whole-class games, homework tools, SENCO dashboards, progress reporting, and competition access. Borough-wide licensing is available for Multi-Academy Trusts and local authorities. Contact us for a quote — we're happy to discuss what works for your school's budget and procurement process.

Question 7

Why do some pupils make progress with times tables in class but not retain it?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most common and frustrating patterns teachers report. The core reason is that recall built through repetition alone — without genuine understanding — is held in short-term or working memory rather than long-term memory. It can look secure during a lesson when the context is fresh, but disappears within days without reinforcement. Pupils who understand why a times table fact is true — through visual models, patterns, and meaning — have a deeper memory structure to retrieve from. This is why our platform builds understanding first across Levels 1–3 before moving into practice and speed. Schools that embed this approach consistently see much better long-term retention.

Question 8

How does the platform support pupils with maths anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Maths anxiety is a genuine cognitive condition that impairs working memory — the mental resource children need for recall. Traditional approaches like timed tests and drilling under pressure actively worsen anxiety over time. Our platform was designed with this in mind: there are no countdown timers anywhere on the platform, no failure screens, and no penalty for wrong answers. Children can access step-by-step visual guidance ('Show Me How') at any point without shame. Games are level-matched so children always compete fairly. These are not aesthetic choices — each one is a deliberate response to what research shows triggers and maintains maths anxiety in primary-age children.

Question 9

What is the evidence that this approach works?

Accepted Answer

Our improvement data is drawn from real session records across 12,000+ active learners. We measure improvement by comparing a child's accuracy in their first three sessions on a given times table against their most recent three sessions on the same table — a like-for-like comparison that controls for practice volume. Based on this methodology, 94% of children who complete at least 8 sessions show measurable improvement in recall accuracy. Average time to reach consistent recall for a new times table is three weeks of regular use. We are transparent about the methodology because we believe the education sector is saturated with unverifiable claims about learning technology.

Question 10

How does the platform support pupils with SEND?

Accepted Answer

The platform has become a particularly valued tool for SEND pupils for several reasons. The visual step-by-step breakdowns in 'Show Me How' provide multiple memory pathways for children who don't respond well to auditory repetition — particularly relevant for dyslexic learners. The no-timer, no-pressure design is critical for pupils with ADHD or high anxiety, who often perform far below their actual ability under timed conditions. The SENCO dashboard gives SENCOs a structured, evidence-based view of each flagged pupil's specific gaps rather than relying on teacher observation alone. Many SENCOs report using XTables Champions as their primary times tables intervention tool for pupils on SEN support or with EHCPs.

Question 11

How do homework assignments work?

Accepted Answer

Teachers set homework directly from their class dashboard by selecting a pupil or group, a times table, and a learning level. The assignment appears in the pupil's personal dashboard when they log in at home — no separate notification needed. Pupils complete the work at their own pace and the platform records accuracy, time spent, and which specific facts were missed. There is nothing for the teacher to mark. The following day, the teacher can see which pupils completed the homework and how they performed. For pupils without home device access, sessions can also be completed during school hours on the same assignment.

Question 12

Can schools use this alongside their existing maths scheme?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is how the majority of schools use it. The platform is specifically designed to fill the gap that most primary maths schemes leave — deep, structured times tables fluency. Most schemes include multiplication practice but rely on repetition and speed rather than building genuine understanding first. XTables Champions provides the understanding-first framework that underpins reliable recall, which then makes any scheme's practice activities more effective. It typically sits alongside White Rose, Power Maths, or similar schemes as a daily or weekly supplement, rather than replacing anything.

The times tables platform your school has been waiting for

11 levels: Learn → Apply → Play

Learn

Apply

Play

Everything a school needs

Homework & Set Assignments

Whole-Class Games

Smart Level Matching

Show Me How™

Gentle Learning Philosophy

Clever Reporting

SENCO Dashboards

Lunchtime Clubs & Competitions

School Reward System

Powerful tools for SENCOs

SENCO Dashboard

Borough-Wide Competitions

Schools FAQs

Ready to transform times tables in your school?