Our pilot issue of XPUnpacked was launched on Friday 24 January 2025, and featured a range of articles highlighting high quality Learning Expeditions and Crew experiences; and a moving tribute from Martin Said to one of our dearest friends and staunchest supporters, David Price.
This is just the start! If you want to contribute to our next edition in the Summer of 2025, do not hesitate to contact me directly with your proposal or watch out for future communications about how you can be part of the next publication.
By shining a light on beautiful work, sharing powerful experiences and highlighting how students are becoming agents for positive social change in service to their community and the wider world, we are capturing what makes our work so successful and compelling.
The content below pulls together all references, featured links and additional content from the contributor articles. Reading these articles reminded me that it is an honour and privilege to be your colleague.
In Crew, always,
Andy Sprakes
Chief Academic Officer, XP Trust and editor of XPUnpacked.
Reflections from EL Conference 2025, Atlanta: Learning through partnerships
Sharing my story: Natalie Johnson, XP Doncaster
Conference Overview, EL Website, 2024.
https://eleducation.org/professional-learning/pl-catalog/2024-national-conference
XP Core Practices, 2024.
https://xptrust.org/about-us/how-we-xp/our-core-practices/
Amana Academy North, Website.
https://amanaacademy.org/north-fulton/
Reflections
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-U4OKXTrIoNCfBZ6uBSLBcP_nQD2bgEN/edit#slide=id.p1
The Power of Affirmation: Becky Knowles, Green Top
School visit
Reflections
School Visit – Further Reflections and pictures
Crew Creates Culture: Aime Shaw, Green Top
School visit
Aime Shaw Atlanta 2024 School visit
Reflections
Aime Shaw XPU EL REFLECTIONS MASTER SLIDE
Elevating Beautiful Work
Expeditionary Learning in the Early Years: Elouise Chadwick, Norton Campus
Blog posts
A beautiful end to the Autumn Term… | Norton Infant School
EYFS showing we care… | Norton Infant School
Meet Ralph… | Norton Infant School
Therapy dog visit. | Norton Infant School
Kindness makes us stronger! | Norton Infant School
What do stories tell us about being kind? | Norton Infant School
We’re shaping up to be mini “Hugasauruses”. | Norton Infant School
The Bog Baby. | Norton Infant School
Celebrating Harvest Festival. | Norton Infant School
Kindness in our community | Norton Infant School
What makes a good friend? | Norton Infant School
World Kindness Day. | Norton Infant School
Teddy Bears Picnic! | Norton Infant School
Work That Matters
Work That Matters: Martin Said, XP Gateshead
Scan the QR codes below to access the links
Watch the video of students performing in the community:
Read tributes to David Price:
The Power of Crew: Andy Sprakes, XP Trust
XP Core Practices 2024
Relational Schools report
Relational Schools Report for XP School 2017
We Are Crew – A Teamwork Approach to School Culture: R. Berger, A. Vilen and L. Woodfin (EL Education 2020)