XP Trust – Above all, Compassion

Something Better Change – A visit from KAS

22 May 2026

Following last week’s trip to London, we welcomed the Year 9 Crew from King Alfred School to XP Doncaster this week. The students immediately dived back into their collaborative Learning Expedition, ‘Something Better Change’, starting the day with a Crew Circle to reconnect and refocus their work. Our students then led authentic ambassador tours, showing our guests exactly how we build community, develop character, and craft beautiful work across our schools.

The combined Crew spent the rest of their time tackling our central Guiding Question: ‘What sort of education would we design for our own children?’ Working with great compassion and respect, the students analysed their notes from last week and began the messy, exciting process of drafting their initial ideas – proving what happens when young people are empowered to get smart to do good in the world.

The day finished on a high with students ready and resolute to continue this important collaboration. They decided that they wanted to share their thoughts more widely and engage with a wider range of stakeholders. A film of the initial stages of the Expedition will help to spread their message and we can use this as a springboard for further work next term.

We think this is the beginning of a beautiful, and agency filled, friendship.

Letter to Carcroft Parents and Carers

22 May 2026

Andy Sprakes

We’re looking for a Teacher at Green Top!

22 May 2026

Geoff Hewitt

Find out more here and apply to #JoinOurCrew

https://xptrust.org/green-top-teacher/

New Era of Leadership: Stuart Longley Appointed Headteacher at Carcroft Primary School

22 May 2026

Andy Sprakes

We would like to extend our congratulations to Stuart Longley, who has been appointed as the new Headteacher at Carcroft School, effective August 2026. Stuart is an experienced and successful leader who has worked as part of XP Trust for over four years. Working alongside Headteacher Jayne Ogle, the leadership team, and the staff at Plover School, Stuart has been part of the team that established Crew and Learning Expeditions at the school. As a result, they have positively transformed outcomes for learners.

Stuart is returning to Carcroft School after previously working there, so he will be a familiar face to parents and the wider community. Stuart is passionate about improving life chances for our children and is committed to building character and empowering children to lead their own learning by producing beautiful work that makes a difference to the community.

In his current role, Stuart picked out a number of recent highlights regarding his work with staff and learners: “The Learning Expedition where children successfully researched, built, and now tend to our outward-facing Community Eco-garden really resonated with me, as children had a significant positive impact on themselves and the wider community. This was a secure example of social agency and how our children not only want to protect our planet but also be part of sustaining it. Equally, the recent expedition where our children created British Sign Language short films to teach others how to use BSL was a clear example of how diversity and belonging are central to the work we do as a Trust. Finally, being given the opportunity to work alongside Jeff Robin as part of the first Jeff Tech High experience in San Diego was transformative. I am also proud to have been part of Plover’s improvement journey.”

After his successful appointment at Carcroft, Stuart stated: “I am really looking forward to returning to Carcroft and working once again with the community, staff, and children to make a real difference. I am excited about building on recent successes at the school and using them as a baseline to make significant progress on the next part of the school’s journey. It is an honour and a privilege to have been given this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started!”

We’re looking for a Teacher of Geography and Expeditions at XP Doncaster

20 May 2026

Geoff Hewitt

Find out more and apply to #JoinOurCrew! https://xptrust.org/xp-doncaster-teacher-of-geography-expeditions/

Something Better Change… KAS & XP Student Voice Project

14 May 2026

Natalie Johnson

Six Year 9 students from across XP and XP East collaborated with six Year 9 students from King Alfred School in London today, working together to co-construct a Learning Expedition titled: ‘Something Better Change’.

Their work centred around the compelling Guiding Question:

‘What sort of education would we design for our own children?’

The day began with a Crew Circle, engaging in relationship building and developing an understanding of the purpose of Crew. Students were then encouraged to pair up and explore the provision on offer at King Alfred through ambassador tours.

Upon return, we reflected on the similarities and differences between XP and King Alfred School. We noticed, wondered and questioned some of the design choices which were supported by a contextual session with Robert Lobotto, Head at King Alfred.

To develop ideas further, students were challenged to explore the fundamental question: What is the purpose of school? A central goal was for them to consider deeply the nature of education itself. At this time they reflected on their own views of what a ‘perfect’ school would look like, which will later be supported using the extracts of Ken and Kate Robinson’s book about the future shape of learning, ‘Imagine If.. creating a future for us all’.