Acknowledgements

The danger of thanking individuals is that you inevitably leave someone out who will never speak to you again. However, there have been a number of people who have helped me in so many different ways that I have to take that risk.

Firstly, my colleagues. Geraldine, my NQT mentor (I am pretty sure I still owe you some paperwork from 2004), and Debbie my first Head of Department – you supported me, gave me massive opportunities, and didn’t shout at me too much for my shoddy marking. Lorna and Anne, without you I would not have become an AST and had the privilege to learn from all the teachers I got to watch and work with. No one ever tells you how hard moving school is, and without the support of Karen, Alison and Andrea in those early Thornleigh days, I wouldn’t have made it to Christmas. Colm, it was an honour to be your NQT mentor, and to learn from you, although it is slightly annoying that you are now my boss. Simon, for helping me realise my dream in creating Diagnostic Questions; and Ben for helping us avoid going bankrupt. And to the maths departments of Range High School and Thornleigh Salesian College, past and present, for indulging my new ideas with enthusiasm (most of the time), and allowing me to learn from you – I have been very lucky indeed.

I would like to thank each and every one of the students who I have taught over the last 12 years. I am sorry for all the times you told me you didn’t get it, and I assumed it was your fault (although, sometimes, it definitely was). Teaching is the best job in the world because of you, and I am so proud of all you have achieved.

To my podcast guests. You are my heroes, and it is you that have started me on this journey that has transformed the way I teach. And to the people who listen to my podcast on the way to work, whilst walking the dog, paving the driveway or even enjoying a barbecue – it means so much to know that you are enjoying the conversations and learning as much as I am. Long may it continue.

To the authors of the following books that have significantly changed the way I teach, and which I would encourage every teacher to read:

To the bloggers who inspire me and challenge my thinking all the time, sharing their expertise with such generosity. I will definitely cause offence by leaving people out here, but the blogs that have had the most influence on my recent thinking are:

To Alex and the team at John Catt Educational for approaching me about this book and putting their faith in me. And my undying gratitude and respect to Kris Boulton, not only for inspiring me on my podcast, at conferences and via his blog, but for being the first person to read this book. It felt like I was handing in a piece of homework I was a little unsure of to a teacher I so desperately wanted to impress, but Kris corrected errors with patience, pointed out omissions with kindness, and hopefully helped turn incoherent ramblings into something that makes sense.

Finally, the two special ladies in my life. Mum, thank you for believing in me and providing me with all the opportunities I had, even though it was pretty tough at times. And Kate – when we met on that date seven years ago, I don’t think you realised what you were letting yourself in for by getting together with a workaholic teacher who, for example, would choose to write a book about teaching maths whilst on a romantic holiday in Kos. I know being married to me can be an absolute pain, but I really, really could not have done any of it without you. You are my world.