At XP Trust, we believe that education should be an expedition, one that challenges students to create beautiful work, build strong character, and make a meaningful impact on the world. Over the last academic year, from autumn to summer, our schools have been alive with purposeful learning, artistic expression, and inspiring community action.

Here is a look back at just some of the incredible highlights that defined our collective journey this academic year:

Bringing Creativity to Life

Creative expression flourished across our primary and secondary schools this year, culminating in public celebrations that brought our communities together.

• The Festival of Arts and Culture: Our third annual festival was a roaring success. Braving soaring summer temperatures, students and partners from across the entire Trust showcased stunning talents and celebrated the deep character that underpins our schools.
• When Cinders Met Sherlock: Building on past theatrical successes, the talented pupils at Green Top School delivered a groundbreaking community performance that blended storytelling, creativity, and joy.
• The Farrell Centre Takeover: In winter, Year 9 students from XP Gateshead took their learning into the real world. They hosted a powerful public Presentation of Learning (PoL) for their expedition, ‘Another Brick…’, right in the heart of the Farrell Centre at Newcastle University.

Real-World Learning and Deep Expeditions

Our Learning Expeditions connect academic rigour to global issues, challenging students to think deeply about the world they inherit and the way they want the world to be. Our Curriculum Seams of ‘Protecting Our Planet,’ ‘Standing for Social Justice’ and ‘Cultivating Diversity and Belonging have shone through in Learning Expeditions this year making the learning authentic and filled with positive student agency.

• Exploring Identity and Migration: Year 8 students at XP Doncaster and Gateshead engaged with long-time partner Scott Boldt. Through his personal stories of Chicago and Belfast, students grappled with profound questions: Is migration worth the risk? What does “home” mean?
• The Power of Passage Presentations: At XP, we make our work public through reflective performances. In March, Year 9 students at XP Gateshead took part in their Passage Presentations, a formal, public rite of passage where they held themselves rigorously accountable for their own academic and personal growth.
• Lungs of the World: Focusing on Protecting Our Planet, pupils at Plover School in Year 5 and 6 built bird boxes for a local nature trail, while Norton Juniors created animal soft toys and storybooks about deforestation to educate younger children and raise money for a donkey sanctuary.
• This Land is Our Land: Year 7 students at XP Doncaster and XP Gateshead linked history, science, and art to study local history across four distinct eras, producing compiled books that were presented to parents at Seven Stories, the national children’s book museum.
• Coming to Doncaster: Students at Carcroft School from Year 3 and 4 researched the Roman conquest and its local impact, creating an interactive activity sheet that is now actively used by young visitors at Murton Park.
• Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Key Stage 1 pupils at Green Top hosted the child-led “Pride of Thorne” event to celebrate everyday local heroes, while Norton Infants students organized a museum-style exhibition and published an annual-style book featuring student artwork, reflections, and pledges.

Crew Spirit and Community Activism

“We are Crew, not passengers, strengthened by acts of consequential service to others.” This core ethos was on display through remarkable acts of community stewardship and personal perseverance.

• The students of Crew Godley at Carcroft School stepped up as true environmental activists. They rolled up their sleeves to transform a vacant, underused outdoor space into a stunning and vibrant eco-garden.
• My visits to all our schools highlighted that a kind, rigorous, and supportive Crew culture is embedded into the very walls of our establishments, that you feel the moment you step through the door.

Milestones, Media, and Looking Forward

This year was also a time to celebrate our history, share our stories, and prepare for the future.

• We have been working for the past eighteen months on two celebratory publications.  Firstly, to celebrate over ten years of Crew, we launched a special documentary trailer and invited our community to share their personal stories of how Crew has shaped and continues to shape their lives. Secondly, a comprehensive book celebrating ‘Ten Years of Beautiful Work from across the Trust has been sent to print and will be ready to enjoy at the start of the new term!
• Student-Led Publications: Two Year 10 work experience students from XP Doncaster, Alex and Holly, did incredible work helping to engineer and elevate the pilot editions of our trust-wide magazine, XP Unpacked.
• Global Perspectives: Our trust-wide philosophy traveled across continents. Trust leadership engaged in purposeful, global partnership work spanning two weeks across California and Catalonia, bringing back valuable perspectives to enrich our local practices.
• Evolving Our Practice: We continued to sharpen our tools. Our staff gathered to review, revise, and reprint our Curriculum Core Practices, ensuring our educators have the best foundation to design high-quality expeditions. We also looked ahead by opening applications for our next innovative Jeff Tech High programme.

As we reflect on these moments, we are continually reminded of what happens when we expect more from our young people. 

By holding ourselves to high standards of beautiful work and compassionate character, the students and staff of XP Trust continue to prove that together, we can change our communities for the better.

Thank you to every student, staff member, parent, and partner who made this year so beautiful! I hope you have a peaceful and well deserved summer break.

Andy Sprakes

July 2026.