At XP Trust, we’re proud to be long-standing partners and friends of EL Education. We take part in Better World Week every year – not as a one-off event, but as an extension of the work we do every day in our schools. Like EL, we believe that learning should be purposeful, rooted in community, and driven by the desire to make a positive impact. It’s a shared mission that sits at the heart of our relationship and everything we do.
In every XP school, students take on meaningful work that matters to real people. From campaigning for local change to producing high-quality expedition products that leave a legacy, our young people learn not just how to succeed – but how to contribute. Better World Week gives us the opportunity to shine a light on that work, celebrate the voices of our students, and stand alongside a global network of educators who are committed to doing things differently.
One of the ways our students made the world a better place this year was through the creation and celebration of community at our first-ever XP Arts Festival, hosted at XP Doncaster during our 10th anniversary year.
Our First ‘XP Live’ Festival!
All eight schools across XP Trust came together to share their creativity, compassion and craftsmanship – through music, movement, poetry and performance at our inaugural XP Festival! From samba rhythms and saxophone sets to spoken word and choreographed dance, over nine hours of joyful parades and performances showed what young people can achieve when given purpose, voice, and audience.
A standout moment came as primary students performed their original fundraising song, ‘Dear World’, written as part of an expedition focused on protecting the planet—reminding us all of the power of young voices to inspire action and hope.
The Doncaster Youth Jazz Association, now based at XP, delivered a show-stopping set, sharing the stage with student acts and even a parade of handmade birds. It was a day of joy, generosity and collaboration – rain or shine – and a celebration of the better world our students are helping to build every day.
What happens where the sea meets the shore?
Another way our students made the world a better place this year came from the very youngest members of our Trust. Last summer, EYFS children from all XP Trust Primary Schools explored the question: “What happens where the sea meets the shore?”
Through their Expedition, the children learned about sea creatures, the beauty of the coastline, and the importance of looking after our oceans. Their learning didn’t stop at knowledge – it led to action. After writing their own sea-themed stories and creating ocean-inspired artwork, the children made their learning into something lasting: a series of wheelie bin stickers designed to spread awareness and care for coastal environments in their local community.
This project was a powerful reminder that you’re never too young to make a difference – and that even the smallest voices can create ripples of change.
Is charity enough?
At XP Gateshead, students asked themselves a challenging question: “Is charity enough?” What followed was a rich and reflective expedition exploring inequality, compassion, and the deeper impact of human connection.
Inspired by A Christmas Carol, students considered both the historical and present-day realities of poverty and loneliness. They wrestled with complex ideas about justice, systemic change, and the emotional weight of being unseen. Their written responses, shared publicly at the end of the expedition, were powerful, personal, and deeply thoughtful. With honesty and maturity, they challenged the limits of charity alone, calling instead for lasting relationships, empathy, and structural change.
The expedition culminated in a heartfelt act of service: an Afternoon Tea hosted by the students for local community members and their grandparents, designed specifically to address isolation and foster belonging. Guests were welcomed with kindness, served by students, and invited to stay connected with the school and its events beyond the day itself.
This expedition wasn’t just about understanding the world—it was about shaping it. Through scholarship, service, and solidarity, the students of XP Gateshead reminded us that real change starts with care, connection, and action.
Safe Parking at Green Top
Sometimes making a better world starts with noticing a problem close to home – and doing something about it. At Green Top School, the Crew Council saw that parking outside the school gates was becoming increasingly unsafe for children and families. Instead of accepting it, they made a stand!
As part of their campaign, they created a powerful video encouraging drivers to think more carefully about how and where they park. Their message “Park smart, stay safe, walk more” calls for small, everyday choices that help protect others in the community.
By raising awareness and offering a solution, these students showed leadership, care and courage – proving that even the most local issues deserve thoughtful, purposeful action.
Baking for the Laurels
This year, Year 5 students at Norton Junior School showed that making a better world doesn’t always require grand gestures – just thoughtful ones, done with heart.
After learning about the importance of compassion and community care, the students organised a bake sale to raise money for those in need. With the funds, they purchased essential toiletries and donated them to a local outreach centre – ensuring their efforts made a real, practical difference.
They also extended their kindness to The Laurels, a nearby residential home. As well as baking and decorating handmade gift bags, the students delivered them in person and spent the morning talking with residents – sharing time, stories and smiles.
This act of service was more than a one-off project; it was an expression of values we hold dear across XP Trust – kindness, craftsmanship, and connection. Norton’s students reminded us that the smallest actions, when rooted in care, can ripple outwards and create lasting impact.
XP Trust receives international award for climate change action
One of the most significant ways our students worked to make a better world this year was through their commitment to environmental stewardship. In recognition of these efforts, XP Trust was honoured with an international award for climate change action.
This accolade, presented by prominent climate activist Dr Koen Timmers, celebrates the Trust’s innovative approach to integrating sustainability into education. Across our schools, students have engaged in projects that not only raise awareness about climate issues but also contribute to tangible environmental improvements. From local conservation initiatives to curriculum-integrated sustainability projects, our students have demonstrated that young people can be powerful agents of change.
Receiving this international award underscores the impact of our collective efforts and reinforces our commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. It serves as a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and community partners who strive daily to make a positive difference in the world.
For more details on this achievement, you can read the full article here:
As we reflect on the incredible work our students have led across the Trust this year – from small acts of kindness to bold steps for justice and sustainability – we’re reminded that building a better world is not a one-week commitment, but a lifelong one. At XP, our young people continue to prove that with purpose, compassion and courage, change is always possible.
We’re proud of what’s been achieved – and we’re excited to keep going. Here’s to another year of doing work that matters, together.
In spite of the fact that the Sheffield Half Marathon is one of the toughest road races in the UK, I’m pleased to say that we all completed the race and had a great time doing so. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sponsored us, your contributions will help to pay for transport for our young people to attend the Festival and to subsidise some of the professional artists who will work with our kids in the coming months!! So far we have raised a whopping £528 – thank you.
If you would still like to contribute the Just Giving page will be live for a few more days