What It Means to Be Crew: Transitioning to the Classroom at XP Gateshead
This week I had the pleasure of joining the Year 7 Crews at XP Gateshead. It has only been two weeks since they completed their journey to the Outward Bound Centre at Ullswater to answer the Guiding Question, ‘What does it Mean to Be Crew?’ and I wanted to see how they had settled in back at school. During their time in the outdoors, students met their Crew and Crew Leader for the first time, showing courage to form new relationships and resilience in mastering shared challenges. Being away from home is not easy, and some of the physical activities were equally tough, but through these shared experiences, students began to see, feel, and hear the culture of Crew.
In the final presentations at Ullswater, students showed incredible growth. In the space of only four days, they formed bonds that would be unbreakable, and they saw things in themselves and in each other that they would not have imagined when they boarded the coach on their first day of school.
“In the space of only four days, students formed bonds that would be unbreakable, and they saw things in themselves and in each other that they would not have imagined when they boarded the coach on their first day of school.”
So it was with bated breath that I set out to see if this commitment was manifest in both Crew and Learning Expedition sessions. I can assure you that I was not disappointed. The first Crew I was welcomed into was Crew Diamond. The check-ins by students effectively modeled appreciation, and through expert Crew Leadership, students were explicitly encouraged to look out for opportunities to appreciate one another. A sense of calm and purpose pervaded the session.
After this, I dropped into Crew Bennett. This Crew session also featured a check-in followed by reading, a recap, and dedicated thinking time. Feedback from the Crew was exceptionally positive, as routines and norms were not only being established but also actively highlighted, praised, and discussed. The habits developed at Ullswater were beautifully brought to life in a school setting.
Next stop was Crew Crowder, who had checked in and were deeply engaged in reading, with many enthusiastically volunteering to read aloud and responding actively to the text. Turn-taking was demonstrated in this session, a crucial skill that builds and reinforces our character trait of respect. The Crew Leader subtly, and with great compassion, nurtured and gave value to student contributions.
There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere in Crew Cadenas, with every student closely following the text of their Crew read. The Crew Leader reinforced listening norms and facilitated shoulder-partner discussions around key questions, allowing the students to explore the text and share their ideas to deepen their understanding. High levels of student participation were evident throughout, with the Crew Leader encouraging non-verbal signals like “I agree” while continuing to embed strong routines.
Look below at the Crew walls that were already anchoring the importance of our Crew culture and providing students with explicit and applicable examples of what this looks like, feels like and sounds like.
It was beautiful to see that students had grasped the importance of transferring these shared experiences when they began their first week back in school. There was a strong and palpable sense of trusting relationships being built in the Crew sessions, which bodes well for the deepening of culture and high expectations with these new recruits to XP. Our important dimension of character growth, furnishing our young people with the skills, habits, and dispositions they will need to be agents for positive social change and compassionate citizens, was in clear evidence during my initial visits to the Y7 Crews at XP Gateshead.
“Our important dimension of character growth, furnishing our young people with the skills, habits, and dispositions they will need to be agents for positive social change and compassionate citizens, was in clear evidence during my initial visits to the Y7 Crews at XP Gateshead.”
Not only was this an uplifting experience in the moment, it fills me with hope for the future.
Sharing our Stories: 11/09/2026
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
]Celebrating Crew @ Norton Infants
Digital Leading Experts @ Norton Juniors
Fossils, Discovery, and Coastal Exploration @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Article Submission for XP Unpacked Issue Two – Now Open!
Dear Crew,
Our first edition of XP Unpacked celebrated the transformative power of our distinct educational model at XP Trust, connecting together stories of student and staff growth through Crew and Learning Expeditions with profound reflections from our professional learning journey at Jeff Tech High in San Diego. Through feature insights from our friend and advocate Ron Berger, student narratives on the life-changing impact of public Presentations of Learning, and reflections on the necessity of “doing the project first,” the articles collectively highlighted our culture of craftsmanship, purpose, and student agency. By showcasing everything from local community projects in Doncaster to international partnerships across the world, the publication reinforces the our commitment to creating a “Rebel Alliance” of educators who prioritise character, creativity, and the belief that all students are capable of producing beautiful, meaningful work.
The cover was an abstract from the Upper Key Stage Two Learning Expedition from Summer 2025 entitled, ‘Earth Shattering Events’ – a stunning example of beautiful work which can be still be found as a resource on the Magna Science Museum website showing how outward facing and purposeful our products can be and the positive impact they have on our community.
The first issue included articles from staff and students from across the Trust as well as contributions from key international partners like Ron Berger, Jeff Robin from the USA and Val Westwell and Mandi Dimitriadis from the Education Department of the South Australian Government. A digital copy of the magazine can be accessed from our website and hard copies are available to purchase from our online XP Shop. The magazine went around the world to Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. It was a significant publication that showcased the positive impact XP is having to on our local and international community.
By showcasing everything from local community projects in Doncaster to international partnerships across the world, the publication reinforces the our commitment to creating a “Rebel Alliance” of educators who prioritise character, creativity, and the belief that all students are capable of producing beautiful, meaningful work.
I am now requesting submission of articles for our next edition of the magazine and encourage all staff and partners to elevate our significant and important work for both a local and also an international audience. The main focus of issue two will be on Learning Expeditions to celebrate our ‘Year of the Expedition’ but if you have another story you want to share, don’t hesitate to do so!
I’ve linked the guidance and deadlines for submission here.
And remember, this opportunity is open to all staff across our Trust: Admin staff, Comms, Teachers, Learning Coaches, and Leaders.
I can’t wait to receive your articles!!
Andy
We’re looking for an amazing HLTA (Leading Learning Coach) at Plover!
Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew
https://xptrust.org/were-looking-for-an-amazing-leading-learning-coach-hlta-at-plover-2/
Our first week back…
At XP, our first week back looks a little bit different. Across our Trust, students and staff have been working hard to build and reestablish the most important part of our culture – Crew.
The ‘First Week Back’ that was – it’s all about Crew
At XP Trust, the first week back across all of our schools focuses exclusively on Crew. Crew is our culture and we invest time after the long summer break to return to the fundamentals of Crew. The strongest examples of engaging with Crew can be seen when activities have been carefully planned to challenge and support students to reflect deeply on their character and how this will help them to build their resilience and courage to face the challenges ahead with others.
The strongest examples of engaging with Crew can be seen when activities have been carefully planned to challenge and support students to reflect deeply on their character
On Wednesday morning, students in Year 9 at XP and XP East were preparing for a walk on the Monsal Trail in Derbyshire and they were certainly up for the 12K challenge. I spoke to a number who were not only excited to be back at school with friends but also keen to bond again with their Crews in a shared challenge and experience. It was lovely to see students helping each other for the day ahead. Whilst this preparation was taking place Students in Year 8 were designing a PE kit and relating that to our Character Traits and HOWLs, thinking carefully about imagery and design. In addition, Year 10 were also busily writing CVs in readiness for ‘mock interviews’ hosted by local businesses and partners later that afternoon to give them a taste of what is like once you enter the workplace.
I spoke to Charlie a student in Year 10 just after her ‘interview’ and she spoke positively about the activity. This is what she had to say!
“I was nervous but it was a valuable experience. I know it will help me in the future.’
Year 11 at this point were engaged in sessions concerning developing study skills and revision strategies. Highly engaged in retention strategies. Note taking, mind mapping in timed activities. In the History session students showed real integrity with some acknowledging that they weren’t yet in good study habits. There was a palpable will to rectify this and begin their final year with a real focus on producing their best.
In the afternoon, at Green Top, I joined the Lower Key Stage Two Crew as they headed out to be stewards of the community by litter picking in the local park. The young people worked hard to pick up any litter, although the park, whilst not perfect, was in pretty good shape! Students worked together with purpose but the highlight of the afternoon for me was when a member of the community, who was walking through the park with her elderly mother, stopped us and asked what we were doing. She was full of praise for our environmentalists saying, ‘It’s lovely to see young people tidying the community, I thought that was what you were doing and I’m thrilled to see you showing such respect and care. Keep up the good work!’
The most significant and impactful part of the day, however, was when we returned to school and Robyn, one of the class teachers, debriefed the activity with the children. They spoke eloquently about how the activity related to Crew and how by working together they could see, hear and feel the positive difference they had made to their community. It was another reminder of the importance of reflecting on our learning so that we can make connections, deepen understanding and make pledges for the future.
They could see, hear and feel the positive difference they had made to their community.
Interestingly, the following day I met up with Carcroft students who were visiting the Outdoor Centre at Austerfield and were building the skills of collaboration and teamwork to tackle an orienteering session on site. Students listened really carefully to the instructor and gave some brilliant responses to questions regarding map orientation and the points of the compass. The Guiding Question throughout the week had been endeavouring to answer was, ‘How can we work together to achieve our end goal?’ It was particularly noteworthy how Shannon, the class teacher, intervened and framed for students the activity and how it linked to both the Guiding Question and the building of culture through Crew. She reinforced the core principles of working with each other and how in previous days they had struggled to do this and as a result they had met with mixed results. She was hoping to see progress! It was heartwarming to see students dive into the activity and consciously work together to solve the clues to take them around the site. The weather was starting to turn but students just got on with the activity. If the focus remains on the power of Crew, and I have no reason to doubt this, then these students will certainly make great progress as they head through the year.
In the afternoon I headed over to Plover in the torrential rain and had the privilege to witness a gruelling but inspirational ‘tough runner’ activity at Plover. In spite of the weather all Year Groups and almost all students had participated in the activity. I was present for Y5 as they braved the rain to complete this fund raising Crew challenge. The commitment from students was outstanding – they fully embraced the assault course, which was tough I might add, in really difficult conditions. I was inspired by the way they just got stuck in.I spoke to Sergei from Year 5 and asked him, ‘What has this activity got to do with Crew?’ His response was both coherent and powerful. Watch the clip below:
The school have raised a significant total and this will be used to enhance fieldwork experiences for children across the school throughout the year. Plover students clearly showed courage but I was struck deeply by how this was underpinned by compassion.
On Thursday evening, I headed up to Ullswater with Geoff Hewitt from our Comms Team to capture the final day of our annual Year 7 Outward Bound experience for both XP Doncaster and XP Gateshead. Students had been engaging with the Guiding Question, ‘What Does it Mean to be Crew’ throughout the week and they had clearly faced trials, tribulations and triumphs. Some students had struggled with being away from home and had shown great resilience to overcome this; some students had found the activities physically challenging and had, with the support of Crew overcome this – what was clear was that students had grown over the course of the four days and they had viscerally experienced and therefore very quickly deepened their understanding of the purpose of Crew.
This is what Caleb from Y7 had to say about his experience,
These experiences help us to create life long memories that we can think back on in due time. In Crew we share our feelings as a team not how good or bad it can be. As a Crew we have certain Character Traits to help guide us and shape our future. These include respect, integrity, craftsmanship and quality, compassion and courage. We show these by being polite, working hard and showing kindness.
I never cease to be amazed by how powerful first week back is when we get it right. There are some key areas I saw that will always guarantee success. For example, activities that enable and facilitate the building of community and teamwork; staff making our Character Traits and HoWLs real by modelling them and highlighting and elevating these when students show them; and thorough debriefing of experiences to allow deep and meaning reflection upon our three dimensional approach and our culture of Crew.
First Week Back is a culturally defining moment at XP that has deep repercussions for our culture and the success of students both in terms of belonging and becoming active agents for positive social change.
Sharing our Stories: 04/09/2026
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
Focus and Deep Thinking in Year 8 this week @ XP
Hook week day two @ Norton Infants
Crew week = complete! @ Norton Juniors
G29 first week back! @ XP Gateshead
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
And finally…
Yesterday I had the honour to visit Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery to view a new installation of student work from XP Doncaster and Norton Junior School. Student representatives from each school joined us to view the work they had produced, discuss this with the curator Neil McGregor and talk to Geoff from our Comms team about the agency and impact of their work.
In the summer of 2025, Years 3 and 4 students at Norton Junior School participated in a Learning Expedition answering the Guiding Question, “What happens when disaster strikes?”. The students explored the causes, preventative measures, and human impacts of both local and international disasters, ranging from fires in Florida to more local disasters like the flooding in Fishlake. As part of their work, they wrote newspaper reports about the 2019 Fishlake floods and applied mathematical concepts of area to co-create a scaled map of Doncaster bordered by disaster-themed artwork. This work now takes pride of place in the Art gallery and in the Frenchgate centre.
The “Being Human” Expedition that is featured in the gallery saw our Year 8 students explore the powerful and important question, “What does it mean to be human?” through an interdisciplinary project spanning Science, Art, History, Geography, and English. Students integrated complex biological concepts with critical inquiries into history and ethics, ultimately synthesising their learning by creating micrography portraits of local healthcare workers to celebrate compassion and resilience. The project culminated in a legacy art exhibition that fostered a deeper understanding of identity, heritage, and the shared human experience. This work was shared with the subjects to display in their work places to honour the important work healthcare workers do every day.
Students were thrilled to see their work on display Sanvii commented, “Honestly, as soon as I saw my art piece, my jaw dropped instantly. I think it’s just crazy that we can even have work up in a gallery.” Mathilda built on this, “You come to this art gallery and think that, oh my gosh, these artists are so amazing. And to think that artwork that we’ve done is now up in an art gallery is just amazing.”
The exhibition is available to view at the gallery for the rest of July and into August – I strongly recommend you visit and enjoy the rest of the exhibits and the museum.
I’d like to thank DGLAM and Neil McGregor, in particular, for his support in allowing our young people to display their beautiful work.
*STOP PRESS*
What an uplifting end to the term. Just as I was about to leave for the holidays, two wonderful products were placed in my hands. The first was an absolutely stunning game designed and created by Key Stage One pupils at Norton based on Doncaster and sponsored by LNER. The game takes players on a journey through our city! It is full of authentic, high quality work… And then a beautiful undated calendar, designed so that it can be reused, arrived. This was created by Lower Key Stage Two pupils at Plover and again is crammed with beautiful artwork, handwritten poetry, scientific facts and letters. All designed to answer the Guiding Question, ‘How Can We Protect Our Beautiful Planet?’
It is an honour and privilege to work in a place that elevates beautiful work, grows character and has high expectations of the young people we care for.
In Crew
Andy Sprakes
