Student Cortex is a streamlined Excel-based tool designed to help teachers record meaningful, in-lesson observations without interrupting the flow of teaching. Rather than focusing on behavior incidents or grades, Student Cortex centers on engagement, effort, and learning habits; including the quieter forms of participation that are often overlooked in fast-paced classrooms. With one-click navigation between classes and students, teachers can quickly log observations as they teach, building a clear picture of engagement over time without extensive note-taking or after-lesson write-ups. The resource is: Positive by design. Focused on noticing effort, persistence, and growth Fast to use. Built for live lessons, not end-of-day data entry Visual and reflective. Turning observations into clear, accessible patterns Teacher-controlled. For professional insight, not student surveillance As patterns emerge, the data becomes a shared reference point for: purposeful student conversations reflective planning evidence-informed pastoral discussions identifying students who may need support or greater challenge Student Cortex is particularly well suited to secondary classrooms, but can be adapted for a wide range of subjects and age groups. What is included? An Excel workbook with intuitive navigation Class and student profile views Engagement tracking tools designed for quick, live use Clear visual summaries of engagement over time