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Sponsored by IXL

Help Children Master Fractions, Grammar and Decimals with Online Practice

Discover how IXL Learning helps children build confidence in maths and English through adaptive online practice. Learn how this trusted platform supports UK families with fractions, grammar and decimals.

Published 28/10/2025

Settling into school life in the UK often brings new experiences for children — new subjects, new teaching styles, and new ways of learning. For parents, particularly those balancing busy routines, finding time to reinforce lessons at home can be challenging. Yet, a few minutes of focused practice each day can make a lasting difference.

That’s where IXL Learning comes in. Designed to align with the UK curriculum, it provides personalised online practice in maths and English that adapts to your child’s level. From early years to secondary school, it turns everyday learning into an engaging and rewarding experience — right from home.

Why online practice matters

Children absorb concepts differently. Some pick up grammar rules through reading, others need repetition to master fractions or decimals. Online platforms bridge that gap by offering tailored practice — something traditional homework rarely provides.

IXL stands out because it uses adaptive learning. Each question evolves based on how a child answers: correct responses bring subtle increases in difficulty, while mistakes trigger explanations and targeted support. It’s like having a patient, always-available tutor who recognises exactly where a child needs help and where they’re ready to move ahead.

The IXL Learning approach

IXL Learning covers thousands of skills across maths, English, science, social studies and Spanish. In the UK, most families use it to strengthen core maths and English foundations — particularly in three key areas where children often need a confidence boost: fractions, grammar, and decimals.

At the heart of IXL’s design is its SmartScore system. Each skill begins at an accessible level, and as the child answers correctly, the SmartScore rises. If a mistake occurs, the system pauses to explain, allowing the student to revisit the concept before trying again. The goal isn’t speed — it’s steady mastery.

Parents and teachers can view progress reports that show which skills have been mastered and which need attention. For families new to the UK education system, this transparency provides reassurance that their child’s learning aligns with classroom expectations.

Mastering fractions: building confidence step by step

Few topics cause more frustration at the kitchen table than fractions. Concepts such as numerators, denominators and mixed numbers can seem abstract at first, especially when introduced in different ways across countries.

IXL transforms this experience through interactive, adaptive exercises that make fractions visual and intuitive. A child might begin by identifying halves and quarters with colourful shapes, then gradually move on to comparing fractions, adding and subtracting them, and solving word problems.

Each time they answer a question, they receive instant feedback — a brief explanation or an example to clarify the idea. Over time, this repetition and reinforcement help build the mathematical intuition that many children struggle to develop through textbooks alone.

For parents, it means fewer tense homework evenings and more visible progress.

Grammar and language arts: building fluency and clarity

As children progress through the UK curriculum, writing and grammar play a major role in how they express understanding across all subjects. Whether it’s composing essays or writing short answers in science, clarity and sentence structure matter.

IXL’s English section offers comprehensive practice across the language spectrum: identifying nouns, choosing the correct verb tense, recognising sentence fragments, or improving punctuation. Each exercise is short, focused and interactive, helping children learn grammar as a living skill rather than a list of rules.

The adaptive approach ensures that a child who already grasps basic sentence patterns isn’t forced to repeat them endlessly; instead, they advance to more sophisticated topics, such as using conjunctions or refining vocabulary. For children who are new to English-medium schooling, IXL can be a reassuring bridge between language learning and academic expression.

Decimals and place value: connecting numbers with meaning

Decimals introduce children to real-world maths — money, measurements, and percentages. Yet understanding how digits relate to tenths or hundredths can feel abstract until a child sees the logic in action.

IXL’s structured skill path introduces decimals gradually. Early lessons focus on understanding place value, then progress to operations like addition, subtraction and rounding. Each question is designed to highlight why an answer works, encouraging children to think through each step.

Because the practice adapts automatically, students neither rush ahead before mastering the basics nor linger too long on what they already know. This balance builds both accuracy and confidence, the twin pillars of maths success.

Aligned with the UK curriculum

For families relocating to the UK or navigating different school systems, alignment with the National Curriculum is essential. IXL’s content follows the structure of UK key stages, meaning a child working through Year 6 maths on IXL will encounter the same core topics covered in class — fractions, decimals, percentages, and measurement.

This consistency helps parents stay connected to what’s being taught, even if they’re not familiar with British grade levels. Teachers often use IXL to reinforce classroom topics, set homework, or identify areas where a student may need intervention.

The result is a smooth bridge between school and home, ensuring that practice time directly supports school progress.

Easy for parents to use at home

Setting up and using IXL requires no specialist knowledge. Parents can begin with the Real-Time Diagnostic, which assesses a child’s current level and recommends the next best skills to work on. From there, children can explore topics at their own pace, earning virtual awards as they progress.

Sessions can be as short as ten minutes a day — ideal for busy households. Many parents find that scheduling short bursts of practice after school or on weekends helps maintain progress without overwhelming their children.

Progress reports are automatically generated, showing which skills are mastered and how understanding is improving week by week. For parents adjusting to the UK education system, this insight can be invaluable.

Designed for engagement and independence

IXL’s interface is clean, colourful and intuitive. Young learners are rewarded with cheerful animations and badges, while older students appreciate the straightforward layout and clear progress tracking.

Unlike many educational apps that rely on games or distractions, IXL keeps the focus firmly on learning — yet it still feels rewarding. Each small success contributes to the SmartScore, offering a visible sense of achievement.

The immediate feedback means that mistakes are never left unresolved, turning each incorrect answer into a learning opportunity. This approach encourages independence, resilience, and a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Get started with IXL Learning

Families can access IXL directly through its UK website. Subscriptions are available for single subjects or combined packages, giving flexibility depending on a child’s needs. Many UK schools already use IXL, and parents can often link home accounts with school progress for a seamless experience.

Getting started takes just a few minutes:

1. Visit uk.ixl.com.

2. Run the Real-Time Diagnostic to identify your child’s current level.

3. Begin practising fractions, grammar or decimals — the system adapts immediately to your child’s responses.

Each session is designed to feel manageable, effective, and personalised. Over time, children gain confidence in the areas that matter most, and parents gain peace of mind knowing their child’s learning aligns perfectly with the UK curriculum.

Education in the UK places growing emphasis on independent learning and self-reflection. Platforms like IXL complement this approach beautifully — giving children tools to explore, practise and understand concepts beyond the classroom.

Whether your child is perfecting their use of punctuation or finally cracking fractions, small daily steps lead to lasting results.

As families settle into life in the UK, finding dependable educational resources can make all the difference. IXL Learning stands out not only for its academic precision but for the confidence it brings to children — helping them see learning as something joyful, structured, and achievable.