The project is intended to address a particular problem for all teachers who wish to develop spreadsheet modelling capability for more able pupils in a mixed ability setting. In most schools, ICT at KS3 is delivered as  a discrete course and with mixed ability teaching groups. Many teachers find that the problems posed by the development of ICTcapability with regard to modelling are particularly difficult in a mixed ability context. Many schools use a “setted”  approach for teaching mathematics. Although the concepts and understanding required for spreadsheet modelling are very similar to those developed in the teaching of mathematics, the teacher of ICT is usually faced with a mixed ability group.

Whilst this project is concerned with the development of spreadsheet modelling capability, it addresses a much wider challenge facing schools which deliver a number of curriculum areas to mixed ability groups. Providing for the more able in such a situation is a challenge which this project seeks to address through the use of a number of approaches, most of which require ICT for their implementation.