Comms have been working hard to curate beautiful spaces at Green Top and XP Gateshead!
The Power of Curation at XP Trust
Last week, on Tuesday, I visited Carcroft Primary to work alongside Crew Leaders. Whilst there I came across some beautiful curation of pupil work from the Spring Term of last year. The expedition was entitled, “Fight for Your Rights” and pupils had attempted to answer the guiding question, ‘How Can One Moment Influence Our Future?’
Pupils had engaged with a number of Case Studies including History, Art and Science. In Case Study One pupils learnt about historical figures who had made stands for human rights often in times where others were intent on suppressing them usually through fear and ignorance. Pupils studied the Civil Rights movement in the USA in the 1960s and compared and contrasted this to the women’s suffrage movement in the early twentieth century.
Pupils moved onto an Art Case Study where they considered the way artist Jonathan Yeo uses light and shade in his portraits. Using this as inspiration, and drawing on their Science studies about the nature of light and vision, pupils practiced a range of techniques to ensure their own picture had appropriate lighting and shading, based on the direction of light, and carefully considered colour choice to evoke a specific mood. Portraits were representations of the people they had studied who had inspired them the most.
Pupils used this learning to write speeches about the importance of human rights and why we must protect them.
The quality of work speaks for itself. What was particularly noteworthy was the blend of pupil work alongside design and curation work supported by our Comms Team. It was also lovely to see exploded quotations where pupils had picked out key learning points from the expedition, beautiful pupil writing and stunning artwork.
Finally, our students often provide an answer to the learning expedition’s guiding question and it was lovely to see this visually represented by one of the children to capture the connections and the progress in their learning through a particular Case Study.
In conclusion, the work I saw was not only important but also beautiful.
Andy Sprakes
Chief Academic Officer, XP Trust.
Sharing our Stories: 03/10/2025
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.
G29: What makes a great education?
Last term, students in G29 at XPG were challenged to give a keynote at the MTEM conference on what makes a great education. Over a week they drafted and put together an incredible speech which they have now recorded back in school.
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Crew Nightingale – Higher Maths @ XP
XP Outdoors – Year 7 take on mighty task of litter picking @ XP East
A visit from Stuart – learning about helping homeless people @ Norton Infants
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We’re looking for an awesome SEND Learning Coach (TA) at Norton Campus!
Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew – https://xptrust.org/norton-campus-send-learning-coach-ta/
Sharing our Stories: 26/09/2025
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.
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Outstanding Craftsmanship and Quality in X29! @ XP
Crew Hoy – Not Passengers @ XP East
Continuing Our Marvellous ME Expedition @ Norton Infants
Weekly Update for Families @ XP Gateshead
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Sharing our Stories: 19/09/2025
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.
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First week back – CREW CHIPS @ XP
Rain or shine: Learning outside every time @ Norton Infants
G28 morning fitness, breakfast, revision! @ XP Gateshead
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XP Doncaster Community Day
At XP, we believe education should prepare young people for life in the real world. That’s why our recent Community Engagement Day was such a powerful experience for students across XP and XP East.
Working alongside South Yorkshire Police, our students had the chance to appreciate and experience the reality of keeping our communities safe. From police dog demonstrations to interactive sessions on knife crime, stalking, criminal exploitation, and human rights, students engaged with some of the issues facing young people today.
You can watch the highlights from the day here!
Post 16 Provider event and website links for C28/C29 year 11/10
I am Careers Lead at XP & XP East schools and I am arranging an information evening for parents and students at both schools on Wednesday 12th November to enable them to make informed choices for their Post 16 provision. I am inviting providers to attend with a short 1 minute presentation and a stall where students can explore all avenues that are open to them.
For our year 10 students and parents you are actively encouraged to attend and it is an opportunity to get an early look at what is available in the local area. For our year 11 students and parents there is an expectation that all students and parents/carers attend the event. Previous years have been informative and give both students and their parents an opportunity to ask questions directly to providers.
Timings are 4.30 – 6pm for KS4 & Parents/carers – Lorax and XP East stairs, tea, coffee and squash will be provided at the event.
Meanwhile please find attached links to Post 16 websites and dates for open events, many applications are open for Post 16 and we expect our year 11s to apply to at least 3 providers where possible.
Please click on the links for websites and course options, most are open for applications for 2026/27 for new year 11 students applying. We recommend students apply to a range of providers.
It is never too early to start the application process and secure a provisional place for your students’ next steps.
Acts of Compassion – Plover Year 5 & 6
After demonstrating superb Habits of Work and Learning (HoWLs) of ‘working hard,’ ‘getting smart,’ and ‘being kind,’ in first week back a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils from Plover Primary had the opportunity to take part in a pizza making workshop at our local Pizza Express restaurant.
Take a look at the great time they had
After this, as an act of kindness and compassion, two pupils Karlie-Rose and Theo delivered their wares to staff at XP as a thank you for hosting the Arts Festival in July.
After, as an act of kindness and compassion, two pupils Karlie-Rose and Theo delivered their wares to staff at XP as a thank you for hosting the Arts Festival in July. This is a seemingly small, but not insignificant, gesture that epitomizes our relentless focus across all our schools on ‘above all compassion.’
In a world where things can sometimes be challenging, it is building kindness and service in our young people which will make all of our futures brighter
What a beautiful thought and what beautiful pizza!!
Sharing our Stories: 12/09/2025
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.
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Phil Sheppard visits NJS! @ Norton Juniors
Year 8 inspired by Artist @ XP
Scaling up Compassion: Mia’s Mission with Reptile Rescue @ XP Gateshead
