X32 – Immersion Week (written by skipper students!)

This week, all of X32 have worked extremely hard to explore our guiding question and begin to understand what our new expedition is about!

Yesterday, we visited Endcliffe Park, where we learned how to measure the depth, width and velocity at different points of the Porter Brook. This built on our learning in Maths, where we have been studying time, distance and velocity.

In Science, we have been learning about the water cycle. On Monday, we even acted this out by becoming water droplets, moving through the different stages of the cycle.

In Art, we have focused on using ink to show the movement of waves and water. We also experimented with creating different styles of water marks using ink.

We have also been thinking about how to stay safe around different bodies of water. We identified hidden dangers and discussed ways to reduce risks. We then applied this learning during our visit to Lakeside, where we spotted potential hazards.

Sharing our Stories: 17/04/2026

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

Hook Week Orienteering @ Green Top

We are archaeologists! @ Plover

Year 6 Easter Revision @ Carcroft School

Crew Brunel @ XP School

Weekly Update for Families @ XP Gateshead

Finding our happy @ Norton Infants

Year 11 Rise to the challenge! @ XP East

Litter picking legends @ Norton Juniors

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at comms@xptrust.org –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Crew Brunel: New Term, New Focus

This week marked Crew Brunel’s first week back after the Easter holidays, and it was all about resetting, reconnecting, and refocusing for the term ahead.

We began the week with a whole school community meeting, bringing everyone together to revisit our non-negotiables and set the tone for the term. It was an important opportunity to reflect on expectations and to look ahead at what’s coming up over the next few weeks.

Tuesday was all about preparation and accountability. We revisited our crew fundamentals, including our new timetable and equipment checks, ensuring everyone is ready to learn. Crew members also used this time productively to catch up on Sparx and Tassomai tasks, building positive habits early in the term.

On Wednesday, we were joined by Crew Attenborough for our weekly Wise Wednesday session. It was fantastic to see everyone engaged, contributing thoughtfully, and taking notes using their note catchers. The session encouraged reflection and meaningful discussion across crews.

Thursday gave us time to look closely at praise points and conduct. As a crew, we had honest discussions about what is going well and what we need to improve moving into next week. We also reviewed attendance, which has been a concern this week, and agreed that this is a key area we must all take responsibility for improving. We finished the session with a period of silent reading, accompanied by calm, relaxing music, helping everyone to reset and end the crew session on a focused and positive note.

We ended the week with another whole school community meeting. This was a chance to celebrate those who have achieved their goals, while also holding each other accountable where expectations have not been met. Appreciations and apologies were shared across all year groups, reinforcing our strong sense of community.

Overall, it has been a purposeful first week back. Crew Brunel is ready to build on this momentum and continue striving for excellence in the weeks ahead. Our main focus moving forward is improving our attendance.

Miss Mitchell

Year 11 Rise to the Challenge: Commitment, Dedication, and Easter Revision Success

As the Easter holidays arrived, many might have expected a well-earned break after a demanding term. However, for our Year 11 students, this period became something far more meaningful—an opportunity to focus, reflect, and prepare for the final stretch before their GCSE examinations.

Throughout the Easter revision sessions, it was truly inspiring to witness the level of commitment shown by our students. Classrooms were filled with purposeful energy, as pupils arrived ready to engage, ask questions, and strengthen their understanding across a range of subjects. Whether it was tackling complex maths problems, refining exam techniques in English, or revisiting key concepts in science, students approached each session with determination and maturity.

What stood out most was not just attendance, but attitude. Students demonstrated a genuine desire to succeed, supporting one another and making the most of the time and expertise offered by their teachers. Their willingness to give up part of their holiday speaks volumes about their dedication and resilience.

Staff were equally impressed by the focus and positivity shown throughout the sessions. It is no small task to remain motivated during a holiday period, yet Year 11 rose to the challenge. These sessions were not just about revision—they were about building confidence, reducing anxiety, and reinforcing the belief that hard work leads to progress.

As we now move closer to the GCSE exam period, these efforts will undoubtedly make a difference. The habits formed, the knowledge strengthened, and the confidence gained during Easter will serve students well in the weeks ahead.

We are incredibly proud of Year 11 and the commitment they have shown. Their hard work has set a strong foundation for success, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements in the near future.

Congratulations to these 3 students who Easter prizes for their attendance over the holidays.

Keep going, Year 11—you’ve got this!