It is always a privilege to step into different classrooms across our school, and today, I had the absolute pleasure of covering a session with our fantastic Year 7 maths group, X32 Skipper.

The lesson visit was doubly special because Mrs Tatum is currently completing the final stretch of her full-year induction into How we XP?—our model of teaching, learning, expeditions and crew culture. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to engage, observe, and see exactly how our Year 7s are thriving in their maths lessons.

I walked away from the lesson incredibly proud of the group. Throughout the session, the students beautifully modelled our core HoWLs (Habits of Work and Learning). Here is a snapshot of what I saw:

• Working Hard: The focus in the room was brilliant. Every student was determined, tackling challenging mathematical concepts without hesitation, using our teaching and learning protocols to collaborate on their beautiful work.
• Getting Smart: The academic progress today was awesome. Students showed a really strong understanding of square numbers and cube numbers. They then took it a step further, sharpening their calculator skills to accurately identify square roots and cube roots. Watching them connect these concepts so confidently was fantastic.
• Being Kind: True to the XP spirit, the peer support in the room was wonderful. Students were naturally encouraging one another, sharing ideas, and ensuring that no one in Skipper was left behind.

It’s clear that X32 Skipper are setting a brilliant standard for what it means to be an XP student. A huge well done to the whole class, and thank you to X32 Skipper and Mrs Tatum for setting the conditions for me to engage into such a purposeful, positive learning environment!

If you want to continue to look at this work at home Skipper – please engage with the further challenges below at home.

🚀 Extend Your Learning at Home

For any students who want to keep pushing themselves and stretch their skills further, here are two excellent Corbettmaths resources to practice at home:

• Practice your roots and powers with the Square Numbers and Square Roots Practice Questions.
• Test your skills further with the Cube Roots Practice PDF.

Keep up the incredible work, Skipper!