In #MathsToday I was beautifully surprised by borderline yr 11 storming through functions and bottom set 9s loving changing the subject of a formula. We still need to try less standard cases but one of them said "I actually like this topic".

I was feeling like I should have time to write a vlog since so many others do. Then I realised I'm a full time HoD, part time EdD and very part time associate lecturer and that's actually quite a lot really.

Serious post: Look after yourself this year. Nothing is more important than your health- mental and physical. Few things in life are worth compromising these over. Prioritise diet, exercise and sleep. All the best tomorrow. You got this 💪🏼. #edusky #wellbeing

Oh I just love the feature where, because I have a new phone, I can't access exam wizard without phoning up Pearson to reset my account.

Back to school. Thankfully an INSET day so I can get my brain back in gear.

Last day of the holidays and I'm prepping my lunches, got the slow cooker on for a chicken and leek crumble for today and tomorrow and doing some EdD work.

Fill the blanks are a great way to get pupils thinking deeper about a mathematical topic. They don't need any extra preparation, and are perfect to quickly throw on the board as an extension task. I can't think of many topics where you can't use this idea. (maybe constructions)

A reminder that the application for becoming a KS2 SATs Marker is now open. Full details here: www.gov.uk/guidance/key...

Happy New Year! Thank you to everyone who continues to support my site through spreading the word, buying coffees and reporting mistakes. Many more resources to come in 2026, starting with some harder indices practice strips I've made for my Year 9s next week. Enjoy! #MathsToday #UKMathsChat

These unit sheets are so versatile. I’ve done them with the Edexcel SoW. Set them as a cover lesson with the guiding video, use them in class as a lesson or set them as homework. Perfect for KS4. www.hannahkettlemaths.co.uk/cover

As a form tutor, I remember the success when I found the right book for a non reader in my form and a new staff member walked in to my room and had to tell my forming to put her book down. This yr 11 had never read a book to the end until then and was obsessed.

I want to be mad about being woken at 4.30 am. But both my cats were very loving and it turns out it was snowing, hence the 4.30am wake-up call to fix the cold-wet.

If you haven't tried foot masks for a relaxing time, you simply must. Nothing beats being forced not to stand while relaxing. Removes any guilt you feel about just sitting.

In anticipation of everyone jumping on the “wow 2026 maths facts” bandwagon, here’s mine: 2026 = 2025 + 1

Ever since Tom Dean’s killer presentation at #PiXLMaths conf on Tuesday, I’ve been obsessed with those sticky math mantras that make exam answers pop! What’s missing? Share your memorable nuggets of wisdom for crushing questions. #ExamTips 🚀 @mathsjem.bsky.social

Merry Christmas from us and the cat on her display table.

Do non maths people Gantt chart their Xmas cook? I mean, I don't now but that's because it's an internal chart.

Lebkuchen baked. Yule log attempt in progress.

Had a weird dream about factoring last night... x², 6x and -16 are three terms. You can choose any pair or all three and it will factorise. a) x² + 6x b) 6x - 16 c) x² - 16 d) x² + 6x - 16 #MathsToday

You've heard of elf on the shelf but have you heard of

There's something very satisfying about setting up the reading on my note app for my EdD. I sort out all the bidirectional links between pdf and note pages and all the folders. Looking forward to getting stuck in to some leadership reading later.

Freeeeedom Now I can rest. Oh no wait, now I can prep for my entire extended family descending on the house for Xmas and then making sure I've done all my essays for my EdD deadlines in Jan. I can only blame myself.

It's done! And ahead of schedule... (for once!) A fully revised 2026 version of the Risps PDF eBook is now available for free, from www.risps.co.uk and from Payhip. payhip.com/b/RGKPF An early Ch-risp-mas present? With best wishes of the season, Jonny

Unexpected email from Jonny Griffiths telling me there's a new 2026 update of his RISPS book, that's great investigations for impressionable A Level students. Download it now from www.risps.co.uk with links to Geogebra and Excel files @jonny-griffiths.bsky.social

Looking at an application of products of prime factors in simplifying fractions. #mathstoday

In #MathsToday (well this week really) I've been doing lots of data handling with yr 11 because it requires so little prep beyond printing and because they never spend enough time on it. Had a surprisingly fun time with it.

Lovely after school session with two yr 11s who came for extra maths in #MathsToday Really dug into tree diagrams and what is actually going on.

Yesterday the cat found, pulled out from under the tree, and ripped open to play with, her Christmas present. Video shows my 5 yr old cat going absolutely nuts licking and playing with a feathery mouse.

We're here for you tonight 💙 Our free, confidential helpline is open 24/7 for everyone working in education. 📞 Call us, we'll listen: 08000 562 561

This end of term is tough. Don't be afraid to reach out if you're struggling, or need someone to talk to. #Edusky

You've heard of elf on the shelf but have you heard of

Today in #ALevelMaths my 2025 A-Level Calculated colouring went up on my website. Feel free to use :) blog.drbennisonmaths.com/blog/2025/12...

You've heard of elf on the shelf but have you heard of

Winning this term: house is actually quite tidy and I've just meal prepped tasty lunches for me and the other half for all next week.

Core HoDs have to write a little paragraph on what yr 11 can do over the break. True to stereotype, the English HoD one is full prose while mine is bullet points full of if then. Only not a flow chart because of the effort.

#WeeklyWins Yr 13 really excelled in inclined planes (one could say they were inclined to like them...) Meeting got moved so I had time to organise the resource prep for the next set of mocks well ahead of time My yr 9 made it through a whole lesson last p on a Fri with only 2 detentions.

Almost there everyone, time to post your #WeeklyWins! • Assessments done for most classes with minimal tears • Couple of classes have done really well with the GCHQ challenge • Fun behind the scenes updates for next term Enjoy your weekend folks!

I'm telling my students this is a box and whisker plot

I realised some of my meh about Christmas these years is because schools go all out so it made it a bit of a work thing.

I have signed up for fencing lessons in the new year. I wonder how new year me will feel about that.

Gaining an understanding of powers before moving on to laws of indices. #ukmathschat #ukmathsteachers #mathstoday

New blog post for maths teachers: "Things I assumed you knew" www.resourceaholic.com/2025/12/thin... Comments welcome! #ukmathschat

Beginnings of inequalities, looking at translating symbols into meaningful sentences and vice versa. Not sure about wording of Task 4 though #maths #mathstoday

Hi everyone! Please share this to any secondary Maths teachers 😊: I have created a Christmas Maths exam paper in the style of Edexcel for my year 11 class for a bit of fun. Please feel free to use it too: www.tes.com/teaching-res...

#WeeklyWins Yr 13 doing integration by parts and finding it acceptable. Yr 11 parents evening where I get to celebrate the student that went up 52 marks since last paper. Yr 11 who asked if they could do extra hw and come to both help sessions.

Why does TT ask how my class was when it's my yr13 doing a test and not when it's my yr 9 who had to be moved rooms because a student wouldn't be removed?

Ever been so annoyed by a website you learn to code? Hello 6.30am html lessons.

Just putting this out there, in case someone hasn't seen it, and needs to have a chat with any Year 11 pupils about their attendance... www.health.org.uk/evidence-hub...

#EdD things: Why is my note taking/reference system so cursed? I don't think I should be using three different reference management systems, plus a google sheets, plus a notebook, plus a digital notes app. And I still can't find the reference I need.