About Henlow CofE Academy

We’re a new, relatively small Secondary School, having previously been a middle school. We’re quite rural and have about 750 students in total. We have some EAL students and a higher than average number of SEND students.

Why did you choose Propello?

As a newly formed secondary school, Propello was really helpful for sequencing the curriculum. The way Propello has sequenced the different units of work makes sense and it aligned well with our plans. I started using the biology resources and was immediately impressed – the presentations were like ones I’d create myself, but were more polished and saved me a lot of time. The worksheets were as impressive, clear, accessible, and well-suited for different ability levels, especially for my foundation students.

How do you use Propello in the classroom?

Propello is now my first point of call when looking for a resource and lesson planning. After moving from secondary to middle school and now back again, I felt like I was starting from scratch. I’d found various resources, but Propello stood out – the presentations are exactly how I’d design them myself, it’s like they know exactly what I want. Even if I make changes, it gives me a good starting point and it will give me the basis for my lessons.

How has Propello helped your students engage with the curriculum?

The consistent lesson format is really helpful for our SEND students – they like knowing what to expect and how the lesson is going to progress. Our students also enjoy the animated video clips, which they can revisit at home. They really like the worksheets, which start simple and increase in challenge. This structure helps their cognitive load because it’s not overwhelming and encourages them to push themselves further.

Propello has really helped students see their progress. They recognise when tasks get more challenging and feel a sense of achievement as they manage questions they previously struggled with. It’s really nice to see their confidence grow lesson by lesson.

What aspect of Propello has been most helpful to you?

I’ve been really impressed with Propello’s clear curriculum sequencing – it aligns exactly with what I would have done. Having read widely on sequencing, including the York research, I can confidently say Propello ticks all the boxes.

How confident are you using Propello resources in your lessons?

I feel really confident using Propello resources – they’re clear, easy to download, and simple to follow. I’d be happy giving them to non-specialists, knowing they could use them effectively because everything is so clear.

Would you recommend Propello?

When our Business Studies teacher left mid-year, I suggested Propello to our Deputy Head who had never taught the subject before. She was immediately impressed, saying, “Wow, that’s amazing! I’ve got everything that I need.” I’ve recommended Propello to everyone I know and on online forums – it’s a brilliant resource.