XP East

Crew White have been busy making the most of their crew sessions recently, diving into revision as they prepare for their very first round of mock exams.

There’s been a great buzz in the room—lots of conversations about what to expect, from how the exam hall will be set out to swapping revision tips and strategies. We’ve also made plenty of space to talk about worries (because there are always a few!), and importantly, to remind each other that feeling nervous is completely normal. If anything, it shows they care.

What’s been brilliant to see is how maturely everyone has approached it. There’s been real support for one another, honest reflections, and a growing confidence in how to tackle revision without panic-setting in the night before!

That said… I’m not entirely convinced this is real life. How are they old enough to be sitting mocks already?! Surely they’re still Year 7, wobbling under rucksacks twice their size and trekking up a mountain in Wales?!

Time has clearly sped up without warning, and I’m just going to take a moment (or several) to sit quietly in the corner and process this minor emotional crisis…

In all seriousness, we’re incredibly proud of them. They’ve come such a long way, and I’ll be right behind them as they take on this next challenge.

Mrs Fowler

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Hook Week Orienteering @ Green Top

We are archaeologists! @ Plover

Year 6 Easter Revision @ Carcroft School

Crew Brunel @ XP School

Weekly Update for Families @ XP Gateshead

Finding our happy @ Norton Infants

Year 11 Rise to the challenge! @ XP East

Litter picking legends @ Norton Juniors

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Wednesday- Rounders 3.30-4.30

Thursday – Cheerleading 3.30-4.30

Any questions please email [email protected]

As the Easter holidays arrived, many might have expected a well-earned break after a demanding term. However, for our Year 11 students, this period became something far more meaningful—an opportunity to focus, reflect, and prepare for the final stretch before their GCSE examinations.

Throughout the Easter revision sessions, it was truly inspiring to witness the level of commitment shown by our students. Classrooms were filled with purposeful energy, as pupils arrived ready to engage, ask questions, and strengthen their understanding across a range of subjects. Whether it was tackling complex maths problems, refining exam techniques in English, or revisiting key concepts in science, students approached each session with determination and maturity.

What stood out most was not just attendance, but attitude. Students demonstrated a genuine desire to succeed, supporting one another and making the most of the time and expertise offered by their teachers. Their willingness to give up part of their holiday speaks volumes about their dedication and resilience.

Staff were equally impressed by the focus and positivity shown throughout the sessions. It is no small task to remain motivated during a holiday period, yet Year 11 rose to the challenge. These sessions were not just about revision—they were about building confidence, reducing anxiety, and reinforcing the belief that hard work leads to progress.

As we now move closer to the GCSE exam period, these efforts will undoubtedly make a difference. The habits formed, the knowledge strengthened, and the confidence gained during Easter will serve students well in the weeks ahead.

We are incredibly proud of Year 11 and the commitment they have shown. Their hard work has set a strong foundation for success, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in the near future.

Congratulations to these 3 students who Easter prizes for their attendance over the holidays.

Keep going, Year 11—you’ve got this!

Welcome back to the summer term. We have lots of activities going off this term, please come and give them a try.

Cheerleading will start this Thursday

Rounders will start next Wednesday 22nd April

Cricket will start Thursday 7th May

We also have netball fieldwork on 15th May, if you would like a letter please come to XP east reception there is only 15 spaces. We are going to watch Leeds Rhinos.

Any questions please email [email protected]

We are delighted to invite families and our wider school community to the Year 8 XP East Presentation of Learning, taking place on Thursday 16th April from 4pm to 5pm.

This special event is an opportunity for students to showcase their learning from their most recent expedition, We Are the Power. Throughout the expedition, students have explored important ideas about influence, leadership, responsibility, and the ways power can shape societies and communities.

During the Presentation of Learning, students will share the high-quality work they have produced, reflect on their learning journey, and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have developed.

They will also be responding to the expedition’s guiding question:

What is power?

We look forward to welcoming parents, carers, and guests to celebrate the hard work, creativity, and achievements of our Year 8 students.

C32, Year 7’s final expedition of the year launches this week- we will be revealing the Title and Guiding Question by the end of Immersion!

During this expedition, our geography content is focusing on river characteristics from source to mouth, river processes, formation of landforms as well as the cause, impacts and responses of flooding and open water. As part of this, we are applying the theory of river processes and characteristics to the field. Our maths content will require us to calculate speed, distance and time.

On Tuesday 14th April, students will visit Endcliffe park in Sheffield. They will work together to collect data regarding the width, depth, velocity and load of rivers. We will also be capturing the beauty of a river by completing artwork. This data collection will allow us to accept or reject our hypothesis.

In order to attend the fieldwork, students must have the consent form completed. You can do this using the link here. Please email Miss Johnson or your child’s Crew Leader if there are any issues with this- [email protected]

Students will need to arrive at school no later than 8.00am so that the register and kit check can be completed before leaving school.

It is also essential that all students bring all of the kit on the KIT LIST so that they are fully prepared for the fieldwork; this includes a packed lunch and water to drink. Students who receive free school meals will be provided with a lunch.

Students will need to ensure they have suitable walking boots/trainers as well as wellies or a pair of trainers they can get wet – we’ll be going in the river to collect the data! If there are any problems in getting the appropriate kit before this, please email your child’s Crew Leader. 

Students will be returning to school by the end of the school day (traffic dependent). We will keep you updated via the blog and social media pages.

As our exam season approaches at XP Doncaster, we are looking for people interested in working as invigilators during this important time. At XP, we believe in ‘beautiful work’ – work that shows craftsmanship and integrity –  and exams are a crucial part of this. Our students have worked hard over many years to reach this point, and we are seeking calm, supportive adults who can help create the conditions for them to demonstrate their very best. If you would like to play a part in this moment for our young people, we would love to hear from you via our expression of interest form.

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Year 3 and 4 Final Product @ Green Top

Revision in the sunshine @ Plover

Crew McLoughlin’s Non Chronological Reports @ Carcroft School

Another amazing week in PE @ XP

Double, Double, No Toil or Trouble: G31 Nailed It! @ XP Gateshead

Easter Traditions @ Norton Infants

Crew Rosa Parkes – Well done! @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Well done to the Year 8 and 9 netball team who travelled to Hall Cross this week. It was a tough match and an unlucky loss. It has been a brilliant netball season this year. Well done to all the students who have played in the netball team this year. It was been fantastic to see so many amazing games.

Look out for the new timetable when we return after Easter holidays for our new enrichment programme.

Have a lovely Easter.

From Team PE