Online resources for Maths
💻 Resources used by schools
There are many resources used by schools; some need a password to access them.
I’m going to talk about three of the most popular.
1. Seneca Learning
Most schools now use Seneca for Maths homework and revision.
It’s interactive: students read short explanations and answer quick questions that adapt to how well they’re doing.
How schools use it:
For short homework or retrieval practice after lessons
To prepare for topic tests or mock exams
Some teachers track progress, others simply tell students to revise independently
What parents need to know:
There’s a free version that’s excellent for everyday use.
Parents mainly just need to check that their child isn’t rushing through questions without reading them properly.
It’s one of the most effective free tools for regular home revision.
2. HegartyMaths / Sparx Maths
Many schools use HegartyMaths or its successor, Sparx Maths, for structured online homework.
Each lesson includes a short video and a quiz of scaffolded questions.
How schools use it:
As the main homework system
For automatic tracking of student effort and accuracy
To identify weaker areas and target intervention
What parents need to know:
Access is provided by the school.
Students can rewatch videos and retry questions — that’s where the real learning happens.
Parents don’t need to buy anything, but encouraging consistent use is valuable.
💡 If your teen’s school uses Sparx instead of Hegarty, it works the same way — just newer, with better feedback and adaptive difficulty.
3. GCSEPod
GCSEPod provides short video “pods” explaining key Maths concepts, exam tips, and worked examples.
It’s used by many schools as a premium revision tool.
How schools use it:
As homework or revision before mocks
For catch-up or support in specific topics
Teachers can track student viewing and quiz results
What parents need to know:
Access depends on whether the school has a subscription.
If available, it’s a fantastic visual revision resource.
You don’t need to manage anything — just encourage your teen to use it regularly.
🧮 Free Websites you can use at home
There are now excellent free and affordable online tools for GCSE Maths revision and practice. Each offers a different style — from video explanations to interactive question banks — so choosing the right combination can make a real difference. Below is a summary of the most reliable and effective maths resources for students at all levels.
Corbettmaths
🌐 corbettmaths.com
Corbettmaths is one of the most trusted maths revision sites in the UK. It offers short, clear video lessons on every GCSE topic, each supported by printable worksheets and fully worked answers. The site also includes the popular 5-a-day questions, which give students a daily mix of quick practice problems at different levels. Explanations are straightforward and methodical, making it easy for students to follow step by step.
Best for: steady, structured revision and regular practice with written solutions.
Weakness: plain layout and no built-in interactivity — students need self-discipline to keep going.
Maths Genie
🌐 mathsgenie.co.uk
Maths Genie provides an outstanding collection of free GCSE resources, organised by grade (1–9) and topic. Each topic has a video lesson, practice questions, and mark schemes for self-checking. The explanations are concise and exam-focused, helping students understand not just how to solve problems, but what examiners look for. It’s excellent for both revision and building exam technique.
Best for: independent learners who want structured topic-by-topic practice.
Weakness: basic presentation; assumes some confidence in self-marking and reviewing work.
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize offers concise topic notes, animations, and short quizzes for every GCSE maths area. The site explains concepts clearly, often using visual aids and worked examples to show each step. It’s great for quick revision and clarifying tricky topics. The interface is simple and mobile-friendly, so students can review material on the go.
Best for: reinforcing understanding and revising key concepts.
Weakness: lacks depth for higher-tier questions and doesn’t offer full exam-style practice.
Dr Frost Maths
🌐 drfrostmaths.com
Dr Frost Maths is a powerful, teacher-developed platform with thousands of practice questions, topic tests, and interactive quizzes. It’s widely used in schools but also free for independent use. The site analyses performance, showing strengths and weaknesses, and offers printable worksheets as well as interactive tasks. It also includes past-paper questions grouped by topic, which is excellent for targeted exam preparation.
Best for: large-scale practice, data tracking, and self-assessment.
Weakness: can be overwhelming for new users; better for regular practice than first learning.
Physics & Maths Tutor
As with science, Physics & Maths Tutor provides a vast bank of GCSE maths past papers, mark schemes, and model answers. It’s ideal for students preparing for mock exams or final revision, giving a real sense of exam style and timing. The site’s concise revision notes are also handy for last-minute review.
Best for: practising real exam questions and checking progress under exam conditions.
Weakness: limited explanations — best used alongside video-based resources.
Choosing the Right Resource
Each of these sites serves a slightly different purpose. Most students benefit from using two or three in combination:
For learning and explanation: Corbettmaths, Maths Genie, or BBC Bitesize.
For interactive practice: Dr Frost Maths.
For exam preparation: Physics & Maths Tutor and Corbettmaths past papers.
A good pattern is to watch a video first, try a few interactive questions, then finish with exam-style practice. Encourage your child to mix shorter daily sessions with longer weekly reviews — consistency is far more effective than last-minute cramming.
💬 Final Tip for Parents
Encourage your teen to use one or two core platforms regularly (such as Seneca and Corbett Maths), and mix in exam-style questions from Maths Genie or CGP exam packs.
Avoid hopping between too many sites — consistency beats variety.
🎯 The best resource is the one your teen actually uses — little and often wins the day.