Admissions

Enrolling your child at an XP school is the beginning of a transformative educational journey designed to nurture academic success, character growth, and the ability to create meaningful, beautiful work.

The application process is straightforward and we invite families to explore our community built on values of respect, courage, craftsmanship, and compassion. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures your child will not only achieve academically but also become a thoughtful, engaged citizen, empowered to make positive social contributions.

Choosing XP schools means choosing a community that prioritises activism, leadership, and equity. Here, students grow into individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also kind and driven to make the world a better place.

By becoming part of this environment, your child will craft a legacy of impactful work and develop the skills and values to lead with purpose in their community and beyond.

If parents want to apply for a place in one of our Doncaster schools, they can do so via the Local Authority. Doncaster Council now operates an admissions service that enables online applications:

www.doncaster.gov.uk/admissions

Applications for our XP Gateshead school go through the same Local Authority admissions process:

www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/2797/Secondary-school-admissions

Fair Banding Test

Children who wish to apply for a place at our secondary schools (XP School, XP East and XP Gateshead) must take a fair banding assessment to be considered for admission. Fair-banding is used to demonstrate that we admit children from all ability levels, not just those who achieve the highest score on the assessment test.

The Fair Banding Assessment is a cognitive ability, multiple choice assessment. There is no pass or fail mark. You can find out more about it here.

Music Aptitude Test

At XP, we believe music has the power to inspire and shape young minds. Each year, we offer a unique opportunity for children with a natural flair for music to gain a place in Year 7 through our dedicated Musical Aptitude Admissions route.

Whether your child already sings or plays an instrument, or simply has a keen ear for rhythm, melody, and pitch, this pathway recognises raw musical potential.

This is only available to those applying for a place at XP School and XP Gateshead.

Art Aptitude Test

At XP, 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.

This is only available to those applying for a place at XP East.

Appeals

All applicants refused a place have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel constituted and operated in accordance with the School Admissions Code.

XP Trust will rigorously protect the integrity of our admissions process and our deliberate size to prevent prejudice against those students who have successfully gained a place.

All applicants refused a place in one of our schools can request an appeal by emailing [email protected] and providing the following information:

Child’s Name
Child’s Date of Birth
School you wish to appeal for

A link to an online appeal form will then be emailed to you to appeal and give your reasons. Appeal forms should be requested and lodged within 20 days of the date of notification that the application was unsuccessful. All appeals will be heard by an independent appeal panel.

Suggested secondary appeals timetable

Statutory Requirement	Timetable	Example Date
National offer day	Date of notification that the application was unsuccessful	01/03/2027
Deadline for lodging appeals	20 school days from the date of notification that the application was unsuccessful	15/04/2027
Notice of appeal hearing	10 school days in advance	25/08/2027
Appellants to submit additional evidence	10 calendar days in advance	08/06/2027
Admissions authority to submit their evidence	7 calendar days in advance	11/06/2027
Clerk to circulate papers	7 calendar days in advance	11/06/2027
All hearings heard by	40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals (30 days for in-year appeals)	18/06/2027
Clerk to issue appeal decision letters	5 school days from the hearing, wherever possible	29/06/2027

Suggested primary appeals timetable