Crew Malala kicked off Year 11 by taking a hike around Langsett Reservoir in the Peak District. They were set a number of photography challenges (as if the walk wasn’t challenging enough). Here are some photos that students took today:
Year 11 First Day Back – Crew walk
Just a reminder that on our first day back (Tuesday 26 August), Year 11 students will be completing a hike around Langsett Reservoir. An information letter, kit list, and consent form has been sent to parents separately by email.
XPE students should be at school for the normal time, with a departure of 9:00 a.m. and returning to school by 3:00 p.m.
It looks as though rain may be possible so please ensure that your children are appropriately dressed for the weather. All students will need a packed lunch.
The C28 Team
C32 Outward Bound Information
It won’t be long before we are setting off to Ullswater for our week of adventure!
Please ensure your child arrives at XP East School at 7am to register with their Crew Leader.
Attached below is the kit list, should you require it.
I understand and appreciate some students may be feeling nervous about our visit, below is a video captured of students last year who found themselves in the very same position!
Hopefully this helps to spread some excitement for the incredible opportunities and adventures that await!
Look forward to seeing you all!
We are so proud of the C27 cohort at XP who have received their GCSE results today.
Highlights include some phenomenal individual stories. We also celebrate strong results for those students who attended D6 and learning labs often – a real testament to the hard work and commitment of our students and staff.
But, as we always say at XP, exam results are only one measure of success.
Through our Expeditionary curriculum, C27 have not only gained knowledge but also produced beautiful work and developed character traits such as courage, craftsmanship, respect, and compassion. From their experiences on their bronze DofE, to their expedition products across Doncaster, they’ve shown what it means to create work that really matters. These students have truly embraced what it means to be crew, supporting one another from day 1 following the covid pandemic and the impact this had on their ability.
At XP, we believe:
Academic success + character growth + beautiful work = the best version of you.
C27 leave us with qualifications, but more importantly with the skills, values, and confidence to thrive beyond school.
A huge thank you goes to our staff, families, and the XP community for supporting our students throughout their journey. And to C27: you will always be part of Crew XP. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
Stay connected through XP Alumni – watch out for an email from Mrs Burns!
Congratulations, C27!
In Crew,
Mrs Salter
Principal
C27 Results day 21st August
The wait is almost over: GCSE results will be available for collection from XP School on Thursday 21st August between the hours of 9.00am-11.30am.
Please read the following information about the collection process:
- Entry and Exit will be by the usual student entrance at car park 3. (please register your number plate if needed)
- Each Crew will have a designated area within the heart of XP school (all students of XP and XPE will collect their results at XP School).
- A dedicated adult will have the results for each crew.
- Students will have the opportunity to wait on the stairs whilst waiting for a space with their crew leader.
- Students can open their results envelope with their crew leader or leave school to open them.
- If students want to speak to Crew Leaders/staff after they have received their results they will need to wait on the stairs until a space is available.
- Students will need to complete a destinations form with Mrs Burns before leaving school. Mrs Burns will also be available to discuss next steps, if required.
- If students are not able to come to collect their results they must email Miss Cocliff if XP ([email protected]) or Mr Currie if XPE ([email protected]) from their email account and request their results be sent to them. Results will be emailed to their school account.
- If students have any concerns about their exam results they must email Miss Cocliff or Mr Currie in the first instance outlining their concerns.
- Official GCSE certificates arrive in School late October and students will be invited to a presentation evening in November to receive their certificates.
We are really looking forward to seeing you all on the 21st, and we can’t wait to see the results of your hard work, through the most challenging of times. Please remember that – as important as your exam results are – they are just a small part of your XP/XPE journey. We are all super proud of the young people you’ve grown up to be, regardless of what’s in the envelope.
Sharing our Stories: 18/07/2025
Beautiful Work This Week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from the last two weeks of term! It’s been filled with all kinds of wonderful things from all of our schools. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
Why the Arts Matter at XP – Our Festival Highlights @ XP Trust
At the Coalface: POL @ Norton Juniors
Climate Change Through Data @ XP
G29 What a Wonderful World POL @ XP Gateshead
Share your stories with us!
From all of us here at XP – have a great summer break! We’ll be back in the new term with more beautiful work to share!
Ignite your child’s creativity at XP East!
At XP East, we believe that creativity is a powerful tool for learning, expression, and personal growth. Our Visual Arts Aptitude route offers a unique opportunity for Year 7 students with a natural flair for creativity to gain a place at a school where the arts are truly valued.
This pathway is open to all children, no prior art training or experience required, just a passion for drawing, designing, and thinking creatively.
Through an inspiring curriculum, expert support, and dynamic extra-curricular opportunities, students will develop their talents across a range of visual art disciplines. If your child loves to create, imagine, and explore the world through art, this is the perfect chance to help them shine. Click here to see highlights from our recent annual XP Festival of Arts and Culture – https://youtu.be/-tcB979lD_g
Apply now and let their creativity take centre stage! Find out more about this here: https://xptrust.info/XPEVA
Applying for a place at XP East – Fair Banding Assessment
To ensure a balanced intake of students across all ability levels, all applicants to an XP secondary school must sit a Fair Banding Assessment.
This multiple-choice test focuses on non-verbal reasoning and helps us place students into one of five ability bands. There is no pass or fail, and results are used solely to support a broad and representative admissions process.
Completing the assessment is a key part of the application and must be done to be considered for a place.
Please ensure your child is registered by 31st October 2025 and prepared to attend the assessment on 22nd November 2025.
Find out more here – https://xptrust.info/XPTFBA
If your child has an aptitude in visual arts, find out how to apply for a visual arts aptitude place at XP East here: https://xpeast.org/ignite-your-childs-creativity-at-xp-east/
Why the Arts Matter at XP – Our Festival Highlights
At XP, we believe education should help young people discover who they are, what they stand for, and how they can make a difference. The arts are at the heart of this.
Through music, dance, drama, and visual art, our students learn to collaborate, express themselves, and craft work of real depth and beauty. These aren’t “extras” to the curriculum – they are essential experiences that develop the character traits we value above anything else: courage, craftsmanship, respect, and compassion.
Last Friday, we celebrated these values at our second XP Festival of Arts & Culture – a day filled with music, dance, and art from across all the schools in our Trust. Every primary school showcased their dancing skills in collaboration with Phoenix Dance Company, alongside cheerleaders and singers from across the Trust.
The afternoon culminated in a show-stopping parade led by the New York Brass Band, bringing everyone together for an unforgettable rendition of Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration”. The evening carried the energy forward with live music from XP Doncaster and XP Gateshead students, alongside local bands and professional artists.
Our students were phenomenal – both on stage and in the audience – showing once again the power of Crew in action.
A huge thank you goes to the XP Doncaster and Plover staff who stewarded and supported the event. It was a powerful example of what’s possible when we create spaces for young people to thrive.
Here’s to next year!!!
In Crew,
Andy Sprakes
