Award-winning maths teacher, Colin Hegarty to take a leading role at Exeter edtech Sparx

Sparx, the socially focused learning technology company focused on improving numeracy around the world, has today announced the appointment of Colin Hegarty as Education and Schools Director.

As Education and Schools Director, Colin will spearhead the Sparx Family’s UK schools strategy, working closely with individual schools and groups of schools to understand their needs, as well as collaborating with educators to deliver maths learning technologies that generate measurable impact.

As an award-winning maths teacher and founder of HegartyMaths, which became a part of the Sparx Family in late 2019, Colin combines a deep understanding of the teaching of mathematics with an appreciation of the needs of schools. In developing innovative tools that answer the needs of teachers and students, he has forged strong relationships with educators across the UK.

Colin has also been appointed to the Sparx Board, strengthening the Board’s direct insight into the needs of teachers and school leaders.

Colin commented on his appointment saying:

“Everyone in the Sparx Family is focused on developing technologies that deliver real benefits. This requires us to work closely with schools to understand their needs, co-designing solutions that are focused on impact over and above anything else. As a former teacher, I am inspired to develop technology that enhances teacher-led learning experiences and in this role, I am able to bring teachers and technologists together to do just that.”

Dan Sandhu, CEO at Sparx said:

“Since joining the Sparx Family, Colin has shown an unerring focus on supporting teachers and learners to achieve more. His unparalleled experience has bolstered Sparx’ research-focused approach to developing maths learning technologies. As Education and Schools Director and a member of the Board, his insight will be a valuable addition to our continued development of products that deliver demonstrable impact.”

Colin, who won UK Teacher of the Year in 2014 and was a finalist in the Global Teacher Prize 2016, founded the hugely popular maths homework solution HegartyMaths in 2016, which joined the Sparx Family in 2019. The resulting partnership brings impactful learning technologies to over 1.3 million users in more than 1,600 schools across the world. Alongside his role supporting the wider Sparx Family, Colin continues to lead HegartyMaths.