What is SPARK?
Building on the success of the VESPA Questionnaire, SPARK delves into the key attributes that contribute to student success and learner effectiveness.
Developed through rigorous psychometric analysis with Manchester Metropolitan University
Self-direction
Initiative, proactiveness, and a bias toward action.
Example Questions:
- •"I am willing to risk failure to reach my goals"
- •"When I work at something, I care about doing my best"
- •"I make plans that help me accomplish what I aim for"
Purpose
Hope, aspirations, and sense of direction.
Example Questions:
- •"I expect good things to happen to me"
- •"I am excited about my future"
- •"My life will make a difference in the world"
Awareness
Empathy, relationships, and understanding others.
Example Questions:
- •"I feel bad when someone gets their feelings hurt"
- •"I understand how those close to me feel"
- •"I go out of my way to help others"
Resilience
Grit, perseverance, and reliability.
Example Questions:
- •"I see tasks through to completion even when I encounter obstacles"
- •"People can count on me to get tasks done"
- •"I persist and find ways to overcome challenges"
Knowledge
Curiosity, attention, and valuing education.
Example Questions:
- •"If something interests me, I try to learn more about it"
- •"I care about doing well in school"
- •"I always pay attention in class"
Comprehensive 360° View
SPARK provides a holistic view of each student's mindset, combining all five dimensions to deliver actionable insights that help educators tailor support and interventions.
See SPARK in Action
Beautiful, personalized reports that students and teachers actually want to read
Personalized feedback for each dimension with reflection questions and suggested activities
Research-Validated & Psychometrically Sound
SPARK isn't just another questionnaire - it's built on rigorous psychometric research.
Manchester Metropolitan University · Preliminary Findings & Future Directions
Students in Pilot Study
Key Stage 3 · Ages 11-14
Cronbach's Alpha Range
Excellent reliability across dimensions
Validated Factors
Confirmed through exploratory factor analysis
Rigorous Development Process
Strong Constructs:
- ✓Purpose (α = 0.84) - Exceptional reliability
- ✓Awareness (α = 0.81) - Strong measurement
- ✓Knowledge (α = 0.85) - Robust validity
Methodological Rigor:
- ✓Factor Analysis confirms 5-factor structure
- ✓Item loadings 1.0-1.7 (strong indicators)
- ✓100-point slider for enhanced fidelity
Measuring Flourishing, Not Just Achievement
SPARK goes beyond academic metrics. Drawing on research from the Flourishing Children Project, our indicators capture positive development across relationships, personal growth, and well-being.
Built on Leading Research
The Flourishing Children Project responded to a call for rigorous indicators of positive development in adolescents. Much research over the last decade has demonstrated that positive (promotive) and protective factors are linked to positive outcomes for young people.
"By providing rigorous statistics on indicators of flourishing, we can help organizations focus on developing the strengths that lead to positive outcomes for adolescents."
💪What Gets Measured Gets Valued
By measuring flourishing alongside academic progress, we help schools focus on developing the strengths that lead to long-term positive outcomes.
🌱Beyond Problem Prevention
Rather than just identifying deficits, SPARK helps educators understand and build upon each student's unique strengths and assets.
"Adolescents themselves talk about positive attitudes, qualities, competencies, behaviors, and relationships when interviewed about their well-being. They do not identify with, nor wish to be known by, problem behaviors."— Flourishing Children Project, Child Trends Research
40 Engaging Activities
Research-backed interventions automatically suggested based on student scores
Two-Minute Takeoff
⏱️ 10 min
Beat procrastination by shrinking the first step to something you can do immediately, creating momentum.
Purpose Circles
⏱️ 20 min
Keep purpose central while allowing goals to change as students learn and grow.
Listening Ladders
⏱️ 15 min
Practice deep listening and separate ideas from people to improve group learning.
Recovery Reframes
⏱️ 15 min
Bounce back faster after setbacks by replacing first thoughts with balanced reframes.
Curiosity Tickets
⏱️ 12 min
Build student identity and independent inquiry with quick "fact + wonder" exercises.
Feynman Flip
⏱️ 15 min
Explain complex ideas simply to expose and fix gaps in understanding.
40 activities total - 8 for each dimension, automatically suggested based on student scores
Mix of interactive, reflective, and game-based activities designed for 11-14 year olds
Empowering Educators
SPARK provides actionable insights that help you support every student's growth
Identify Strengths & Growth Areas
Understand each student's unique profile across all five dimensions with clear, personalized reports.
Tailor Interventions
Access a library of 40 research-backed activities, automatically suggested based on student scores.
Foster Growth Mindset
Help students understand their own learning journey with age-appropriate feedback and reflection tools.
Create Supportive Environments
Use class and year-level dashboards to identify patterns and inform whole-school approaches.
Simple, Engaging, Effective
Students Complete Assessment
Modern slider interface (not boring tick-boxes!) makes it engaging for 11-14 year olds. Takes just 10 minutes.
Instant Personalized Reports
Students receive immediate feedback with scores, personalized statements, and reflection prompts.
Targeted Activities & Tracking
Teachers assign gamified activities and track progress. Students set goals and reflect on growth.
Experience SPARK Yourself
Try our demo questionnaire and see what your students will experience. Get your personalized SPARK report instantly!
Get Early Access
Join our waitlist and be the first to bring SPARK to your school.