Ron Berger Receives XP Honour

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This week, our dear friend and world renowned educator Ron Berger visited XP Trust. After delivering a keynote session at the Whole Education Conference in Warwick, we had the privilege of presenting Ron with honorary membership of our Trust. He is the first person who we have honoured with this status and to do it on a national stage was a fitting tribute in recognition of Ron’s significant contribution to XP over the years. We presented him with a beautiful certificate and a wooden ‘blok hed’ sculpture by a Doncaster artist.

Ron subsequently visited XP Doncaster and he spent three awe-inspiring days working with a range of staff and students from across our Trust on Crew and Learning Expeditions, as well as checking in on our ‘Alumni’ programme, listening to the visiting EKS Herten Big Band and taking in a superb performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Green Top Primary.

We owe everything to Ron, he continues to be an inspiration to us all and we can’t wait for him to visit us again in the near future!!

More details of his visit and impact will follow soon!!!

Sharing our Stories: 04/07/2025

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Beautiful Work This Week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from this week. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

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XP FESTIVAL TICKETS @ XP Trust

Key Stage 1 Dance Workshop @ Green Top

Year 3/4 Rounders @ Plover

Experience Day @ Carcroft School

A visit from Donny Dog and Doncaster Rovers @ Norton Juniors

Year 8 Rounders @ XP

E28 Shine at Bradford Literary Festival @ 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!

XP FESTIVAL TICKETS – AVAILABLE HERE!

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A quick reminder that everyone attending the XP Festival of Arts & Culture must have a ticket to enter the event – this includes parents and family members of children who are performing.

Tickets are free, but spaces are limited, so please make sure you’ve booked yours in advance to avoid disappointment.

📅 Friday 11th July

📍 XP Doncaster, DN4 5NG

🔗 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/xptrust/t-yaogpqm

We can’t wait to see you there for a truly special celebration of our students’ creativity and talent!

Sharing our Stories: 30/06/2025

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Beautiful Work This Week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from this week. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Who’s performing at the XP Festival ’25? @ XP Trust

Wizard of Oz was amazing! @ Green Top

Rounders competition @ Plover

Summer slice @ Carcroft School

Working together as artists @ Norton Infants

Beautiful work @ XP Gateshead

XP Y9 DofE @ XP

DofE Update @ 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!

Ron Berger and Gwyn ap Harri on how expeditionary learning builds confident, capable students

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What if education was about more than just academic success?

In this episode we explore how the expeditionary approach to learning can drive student growth, wellbeing and meaningful outcomes. Ron Berger, Senior Advisor for EL Education and Harvard Graduate School of Education professor, and Gwyn ap Harri, Chief Executive Officer of XP School Trust in the UK, reveal how powerful learning experiences can empower students to thrive, both in and beyond the classroom.

100 Moments of Crew – How You Can Contribute!

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But more than anything, it marks 10 years of Crew.

This year marks the celebration of 10 years of XP – 10 years of crafting beautiful work, challenging what school can be, and building something extraordinary together. 

To honour this milestone, and as we complete our eleventh year, we’re creating a documentary built from the heart of XP itself: the stories of our people. We’re inviting students, staff, and alumni to share a single, powerful moment – a time when Crew truly mattered. A time when someone showed up, when you made a difference, when you saw what XP was really about.

These stories will come together as part of 100 Moments of Crew – a living, breathing tribute to the spirit that holds us together. Whether you were here in Year One or just joined last term, your voice is part of this story.

Because at XP, we’re not just a school – we’re Crew.

We want you to come and share your moment of Crew.

We’ll be filming in a dedicated space at XP Doncaster on the following dates:

Friday 27th June – during the staff day

Monday 30th June – during the staff day

Friday 11th July – during the Arts Festival

We’ll also set up sessions during the first term back for 25/26 – during our weekly Comms visits at your school.

All you need to do is turn up, ready to share a meaningful story – something real, something human, something that captures what Crew has meant to you. If you have a photo or piece of video connected to that story, even better – bring it along or send it through in advance.

If you would prefer to Hangout with Geoff to share your story remotely, we can also make this work!

This is your moment to add your voice to something truly special. 

We look forward to your contribution.

In Crew

Andy Sprakes

Who’s Performing at the XP Festival

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From samba to showstoppers – here’s a glimpse of what to expect!

Book now

With just a few weeks to go until the XP Festival of Arts and Culture, we’re proud to reveal the amazing contributions from across our Trust schools. This year’s line-up is packed with creativity, community spirit, and a whole lot of talent.

All of our primary schools are involved in an exciting collaboration with Phoenix Dance Theatre, and we can’t wait for audiences to see how their work in movement and storytelling comes to life on stage.

Our cheerleading squads are set to bring energy and celebration to the day, with performances from students at Carcroft, Plover, XP Gateshead, and XP Doncaster. Expect rhythm, teamwork, and some serious Crew spirit.

The joy of singing continues with children from Plover, Green Top, and Norton Junior School raising their voices as part of Young Voices – always a heartwarming highlight.

From the older students, we’ll be showcasing a rich range of musical talent. At XP Doncaster, the lineup includes student bands, choirs, and even a full jazz band. Meanwhile, XP Gateshead will be hitting the stage with two rock bands and a choir – a perfect mix of power and harmony.

We’re incredibly proud of the effort, rehearsals, and commitment that all of our schools have put into this year’s event. It promises to be a true celebration of what happens when young people are given the platform to express themselves through the arts.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks in the coming weeks – and don’t forget to book your free tickets here:

Book now

👉 xptrust.org/festival

Green Top Students Help Launch New Starbucks at Quora Retail Park

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Pupils from Green Top School brought a touch of magic to the grand opening of the new Starbucks at Quora Retail Park this week.

The students were invited to cut the ribbon and perform songs from their upcoming school production of The Wizard of Oz, delighting the crowd and Starbucks staff with their energy and talent. After their performance, the children enjoyed a free drink and some well-deserved downtime – before jumping back up for an encore round of singing.

The event marked a special morning of community spirit and celebration, showcasing local young talent while welcoming a new business to the area.


Headteacher Kelly Overson said:

“We were thrilled to be invited to take part in such a positive community event. Our children were so excited to perform and represent Green Top – and they absolutely rose to the occasion. It was a lovely way to celebrate their hard work on the show and be part of something special in our town.”

Green Top’s production of The Wizard of Oz is due to hit the stage soon, and if their performance at Starbucks is anything to go by, it’s sure to be a hit!

Sharing our Stories: 20/06/2025

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Beautiful Work This Week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from this week. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

What’s happening at the XP Festival ’25? @ XP Trust

KS1 Community Crew @ Green Top

Turn up the volume! @ Plover

KS2 Girls Football Tournament @ Carcroft School

Stay and Read in the sunshine! @ Norton Infants

Beautiful work @ XP Gateshead

Crew Sinfield – back and getting SLC ready! @ XP

DofE Update @ 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!

What’s Happening at the XP Festival 2025? Here’s a Sneak Peek!

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On Friday 11th July, XP Doncaster will be transformed into a creative hub of performance, exhibition, and celebration – and we can’t wait to welcome you!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

Live Performances & Music

Expect a packed line-up of student-led performances including original music, dance, spoken word and drama. From samba to saxophones, DJs to jazz, our young artists will take to the stage with energy, skill and passion.

Art Exhibitions & Creative Showcases

Wander through beautiful student work and installations created as part of Learning Expeditions from across our schools. These pieces reflect deep thinking, real-world issues and the craftsmanship we value across the Trust.

‘XP Live’ Bands and Performers

Enjoy the latest in our growing XP Live programme – showcasing student bands, solo artists, and collaborations with professional musicians. This year, we’re proud to programme lots of  original music and elevate voices across every year group.

Community & Family

You can expect a welcoming atmosphere! The Festival is also a chance to bring together families and communities. Whether you’re here to watch your child perform or soak in the vibe, there’s something for everyone.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW HERE!