New Era of Leadership: Stuart Longley Appointed Headteacher at Carcroft Primary School
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!”
XP Festival of Arts and Culture 2026
On Thursday 25th June, the XP Festival of Arts and Culture returns to XP Doncaster, bringing together students, families, staff and artists for a joyful celebration of creativity and community.
Get your tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/xptrust/t-oemmpmr
Sharing our Stories: 22/05/2026
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
Fieldwork to the Deep @ Norton Infants
Being Crew, Showing Courage and Confidence for Exams! @ XP Doncaster
Ancient Greek Pottery @ Norton Juniors
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
We’re looking for a Teacher of Geography and Expeditions at XP Doncaster
Find out more and apply to #JoinOurCrew! https://xptrust.org/xp-doncaster-teacher-of-geography-expeditions/
Sharing our Stories: 15/05/2026
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
Uncovering a big problem @ Norton Infants
Something Better Change @ XP Doncaster
The band is just fantastic that is really what I think @ Norton Juniors
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Something Better Change… KAS & XP Student Voice Project
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’.
The visit concluded with a check out where students reflected on the following three questions:
- What was the most interesting thing you’ve learnt today?
- Was there anything you have found difficult to understand?
- What would you like to explore further?
Next week, we welcome students from King Alfred to XP where we will continue this work further, using the responses as inspiration.
We are really looking forward to the development of this Expedition – the future is bright!
We’re looking for a Geography and Expedition Teacher at XP Doncaster!
Find out more and apply to #JoinOurCrew! https://xptrust.org/xp-doncaster-teacher-of-geography-expeditions/
Beautiful work at DGLAM!
Beautiful work from students at XP Doncaster and Norton Junior school has been curated at the Doncaster Danum Gallery, Library and Museum alongside work from Internationally renowned artists. The work featured is from Year 8’s ‘Being Human’ Learning Expedition and Year 3/4’s ‘Earth Shattering Events’ Learning Expedition.
The gallery is free and open to the public – we encourage you to go and see our students’ awesome work! Thanks to our friends and partners at Doncaster Council for supporting this work.
