Olex in Action

Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust

From Reluctant to Enthusiastic Writers

The Goal

St. Clare’s Catholic Primary School in West Yorkshire had a clear ambition: make writing purposeful for pupils, manageable for teachers, and consistently assessed.

A significant number of pupils – particularly boys – were disengaged from writing, and Claire Tidgwell, Assistant Headteacher and Year 6 teacher, was candid about the risk of bias that comes when you know your pupils well.

Writing marking also carried a heavy personal load, stretching into evenings. St. Clare’s wanted feedback that was immediate, assessment that felt objective, and a reason for children to care about their writing. Olex was brought in to address all three.

"This year, 82% of our Year 6 pupils achieved the Expected Standard in writing, which was above the national average and also exceeded the target we had set for the cohort. Olex has definitely been an important part of our approach to writing and has helped to build greater consistency, engagement and confidence across the year."

Claire Tidgwell, Assistant Headteacher and Year 6 Teacher

The Impact with Olex

82% of Year 6 pupils achieved the Expected Standard in writing this year, up from 73% last year, and above the national average
Result exceeded the cohort’s own predicted attainment of 67% at EXP, set at the start of the year based on Y5 outcomes data
Approximately 2-3 hours saved for each teacher per week

Reluctant boy writers now actively seeking out writing time – wanting to include description, improve their work, and see it come to life on screen
Children uploading work independently, with immediate, child-friendly feedback
Teachers using saved time for 1-2-1 writing conferences and sharper lesson planning
Moderation confidence strengthened – objective assessment alongside teacher judgement, with clear data to support Year 6 decisions

"The first time we put their writing through Imaginator, the reaction was immediate - a genuine wow moment. Since then the writing has just improved so much, and the description in it, because they want to see that writing come to life. If I say we're uploading to Olex today, I'd get a cheer. I would never have got a cheer before!"

Claire Tidgwell, Assistant Headteacher and Year 6 Teacher

Claire Tidgwell, talking about student engagement

How They Did It

Students upload writing before lunch, receive feedback on return
Editing and redrafting in the same afternoon session
Feedback used for child-led editing and improvement
Run through analytics to support Year 6 moderation judgements
Imaginator used as the final stage – bringing published writing to life visually
Claire built confidence with staff team by demonstrating Olex in her own classroom and supporting colleagues

"It'd be that daunting night of marking - and that doesn't happen anymore. It's done in the lesson. It's live with the children. We upload before lunch, go for lunch, come back and the feedback is there. The children can implement it straight away."

Claire Tidgwell, Assistant Headteacher and Year 6 Teacher

Year 6 pupils on why they love the Imaginator

"Olex has been really good. We mainly use it in English to publish our work on, and then the images are just amazing. It brings colour - it makes us all go 'Wow!' It's just astonishing."

Emily, Year 6 Pupil

What's Next?

St. Clare’s is planning a full KS2 rollout from next academic year, with all staff across the school learning about Olex as part of their CPD programme. The school also plans to use the booklet tool to publish pupil writing more widely and to invite parents in to see the impact for themselves.

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