Dynamo Maths: A Teacher's Guide to Dyscalculia Assessment and Intervention
Dynamo Maths is a research-based dyscalculia screening and intervention programme. This SENCO guide covers assessment, intervention planning, and alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- Dynamo Maths uses a dual approach consisting of a standardised online assessment and a structured intervention programme.
- The framework targets pupils aged 5 to 11 who demonstrate significant difficulties with number sense and numerical relationships.
- Teaching assistants deliver intervention through a three-stage model involving support plans, lesson plans, and online activities.
- Standardised scores from the assessment provide objective evidence for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) applications and annual reviews.
- Schools achieve the best results by committing 15 to 20 minutes per session, three to four times per week.
- The framework supports pupils with poor working memory who struggle with the transition from concrete to abstract concepts.
What Is Dynamo Maths?
Dynamo Maths is an online platform designed to support pupils who struggle with basic number concepts. Dynamo Education developed the programme in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford to address the lack of evidence-based dyscalculia support in the UK. The tool screens for mathematical learning difficulties and provides corrective intervention to close attainment gaps through systematic practise.
The NumberSenseMMR framework forms the basis of the programme, categorising mathematical development into Meaning, Magnitude, and Relationship. Meaning involves associating a number symbol with a name and a count. Magnitude refers to understanding the size of a number and its position relative to others. Relationship focuses on the ability to use number facts and place value to solve calculations.
A SENCO uses the Dynamo Assessment to investigate why a pupil in Year 3 makes no progress despite receiving extra support. After the pupil completes the thirty-minute online test, the teacher receives a report displaying a diagnostic heatmap of skills. The teacher might see that the pupil understands number meanings but cannot compare the magnitude of two numbers. This data allows the teacher to explain to a parent that the child has a specific cognitive difficulty in perceiving numerical scale.
Who Is Dynamo Maths For?
The programme targets pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 who underperform in mathematics compared to their peers. The designers created the tool for children with developmental dyscalculia, a specific learning difficulty affecting arithmetic skills. It also supports pupils who have gaps in their knowledge due to absence, poor working memory, or general learning difficulties.
Schools often use the tool for pupils with spiky profiles of attainment. These children might achieve expected standards in literacy but fall behind in numeracy. The tool supports pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who require a highly structured, small-step approach to learning. This includes pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ADHD, where the clear interface helps to maintain focus.
A teacher identifies a pupil in Year 5 who consistently fails weekly mental maths tests as a candidate for the programme. While the class moves on to fractions, this pupil still relies on counting fingers for simple addition within ten. The pupil demonstrates high levels of anxiety during maths lessons. Working through the Dynamo activities reduces their stress levels through predictable structure and immediate feedback.
How Does Dynamo Maths Work?
The programme operates through a logical sequence beginning with the Dynamo Assessment. This standardised screening tool takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to complete. It measures performance against age-appropriate expectations across the NumberSenseMMR components. The system displays results that highlight specific weaknesses, providing a standardised score and a percentile rank.
Following the assessment, the system generates an Individual Support Plan (ISP). This plan identifies the lesson plans and online activities the pupil needs to address their identified gaps. The intervention follows a three-stage pedagogical model. First, the teaching assistant delivers a lesson plan using physical resources. Second, the pupil completes online activities for immediate reinforcement. Third, the pupil works through dynamic worksheets to bridge the gap to written recording.
A teaching assistant works with a Year 2 pupil on the concept of more or less. The assistant starts by using physical counters and a printed lesson plan to show that five counters are more than three. The pupil then moves to the computer to play a game where they click on the larger of two sets of dots. Finally, the pupil completes a worksheet where they write the greater than or less than symbols between pairs of numbers.
Evidence Base and Research
The effectiveness of Dynamo Maths is rooted in the cognitive psychology of number processing. Research suggests that dyscalculia is often caused by a deficit in the number module, which is a specialised mental capacity for processing magnitudes (Butterworth, 2005). Dynamo Maths addresses this by focusing on subitising and number comparison before moving to formal arithmetic (Geary, 1993). The programme aligns with Education Endowment Foundation guidance which emphasises using representations to develop mathematical understanding (EEF, 2017).
Consultation with the University of Oxford ensured that the assessment tasks are valid measures of mathematical cognition. Early identification of mathematical difficulties supports long term success (Butterworth and Yeo, 2004). By identifying deficits in number sense early, schools prevent the Matthew Effect, where pupils who start behind fall further behind over time. The programme incorporates principles of Cognitive Load Theory by presenting information in a way that does not overwhelm working memory (Sweller, 1988).
A SENCO uses this evidence base when drafting an EHCP application. They write that the pupil's standard score of 72 indicates a significant deficit in core number sense, placing them in the lowest 3 per cent of the population. They cite research to explain that without intensive intervention at the magnitude level, the pupil will struggle to access the curriculum (Dehaene, 1992). This level of academic rigour strengthens the school's case for additional funding.
Implementing Dynamo Maths in Your School
Successful implementation starts with an audit of the school's current numeracy intervention provision. The SENCO decides which pupils require assessment and which staff members lead the intervention. Teaching assistants benefit from training on how to interpret the diagnostic reports. Factor the annual subscription fee into the Pupil Premium or SEND budget.
Consistency determines the success of the programme. Schools that see significant gains schedule the intervention for at least three sessions per week. Each session lasts around fifteen to twenty minutes to avoid cognitive fatigue. The SENCO sets up a system for data review, meeting with intervention leads once every half term to adjust individual support plans.
A SENCO organises a meeting with the Year 4 teaching team to discuss the implementation. They decide the intervention will take place in the school library every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:15 am. The SENCO produces an intervention handbook for the teaching assistant containing login details and a schedule. When the assistant notices a pupil is stuck, they record this in the handbook for the SENCO to review.
Dynamo Maths vs Similar Approaches
Understand how different programmes target various aspects of mathematical learning before choosing an intervention. Some programmes focus on rote learning, while others prioritise conceptual understanding through physical objects.
| Feature | Dynamo Maths | Numicon | Power of 2 | 1stClass @Number |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Primary Focus | Dyscalculia screening and number sense | Visual and tactile representations | Mental calculation fluency | Small group basic numeracy |
| Assessment Tool | Standardised online diagnostic screener | Informal curriculum-based assessment | No formal entry assessment | Pre and post assessments |
| Delivery Model | Online activities and lesson plans | Physical tiles and manipulatives | Daily 1 to 1 coaching with a book | Teacher or TA led small groups |
| Target Age | 5 to 11 (plus older SEN) | Early Years to Key Stage 3 | Key Stage 2, 3, and adults | Key Stage 1 and 2 |
| Framework | NumberSenseMMR (Meaning, Magnitude, Relationship) | CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) | Repetitive practise and recall | National curriculum steps |
A school leadership team uses this table to decide which programme to invest in. They conclude that while Numicon supports general classroom learning, they need Dynamo Maths for vulnerable pupils who require diagnostic assessment. The headteacher purchases a ten-pupil licence for Dynamo to target those with potential dyscalculia. They use Numicon as the universal support tool in every classroom.
Practical Tips for SENCOs
A SENCO in Manchester noticed that TAs were skipping the offline lesson plans. To fix this, the SENCO held a breakfast briefing where they modelled a five-minute lesson plan on place value. They showed the TAs how to use physical base-ten blocks to represent the numbers on the screen. The TAs felt more confident in teaching the concepts, and the pupils' progress scores began to rise.
Common Questions About Dynamo Maths
What is Dynamo Maths?
It is an online platform that identifies and supports pupils with significant difficulties in number sense. It combines a diagnostic assessment with a three-stage intervention programme. The system uses the NumberSenseMMR framework to break maths into manageable components.
How does Dynamo Maths assess dyscalculia?
The assessment uses online tasks to measure a child's understanding of number meanings, magnitudes, and relationships. It compares performance against a database of age-related norms. The resulting report identifies cognitive gaps characteristic of dyscalculia.
How much does Dynamo Maths cost?
The pricing varies depending on the number of pupil licenses and the subscription length. It is sold as an annual licence. Many schools fund the cost through their SEND or Pupil Premium budgets.
Is Dynamo Maths evidence-based?
The tool is built on theories of numerical cognition and was developed with researchers from the University of Oxford. It follows the principles of the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach. It focuses on foundational skills identified by experts in dyscalculia.
What age is Dynamo Maths suitable for?
The programme is designed for pupils in the primary age range, from 5 to 11 years old. It is also used with older pupils in secondary school who have significant learning needs.
Can Dynamo Maths be used for EHCP evidence?
Standardised scores and diagnostic reports are used by educational psychologists and local authority panels. They provide objective data that demonstrates a pupil's level of need.
What is the NumberSenseMMR framework?
This is the pedagogical core of the programme. Meaning covers number recognition and counting. Magnitude involves comparing numbers and estimation. Relationship focuses on understanding how numbers interact in calculations.
A teacher uses these FAQs to explain a child's progress to a parent. The teacher says that the Dynamo assessment shows the child has a specific difficulty in the Magnitude part of the framework. This means the child finds it hard to see that 10 is twice as much as 5. This explanation shifts the conversation from blame to support and provides a clear path forwards.
Check your school's tracking data this afternoon to identify three pupils in Key Stage 2 who are making the least progress in mathematics.
