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Year 10 students have now completed their first week of GCSE mock examinations. These assessments are an important milestone, helping to identify strengths and areas for development as they begin preparing for their final GCSE courses.
Next week (11th–15th May 2026), students will take part in their work experience placements. This is a valuable opportunity for them to develop employability skills, gain insight into the world of work, and build confidence in a real working environment.
We are looking forward to welcoming parents and carers into school on 8th June, where you will have the opportunity to meet with your child’s class teachers to discuss their academic progress and review their mock exam results in more detail.
Over the coming weeks, students will also begin exploring their next steps beyond Year 11. They have several exciting opportunities ahead, including:
A taster day at Doncaster College on 22nd June
A Year 10 New College taster day on 8th July
A taster day at John Leggott College (date to be confirmed)
These experiences are designed to give students a valuable insight into post-16 options and help them make informed decisions about their future pathways.
Last week was another full and meaningful week for Crew Brunel, with plenty of opportunities to reflect, connect, and celebrate both individual and collective successes. As always, our time together has focused not just on academic progress, but also on building character, community, and a strong sense of belonging.
Monday began with a crew check-in, where everyone had the chance to share what they had been up to over the weekend. These regular check-ins continue to be an important part of our routine, helping us strengthen relationships, develop confidence in speaking, and show genuine interest in one another’s lives. It set a calm and positive tone for the week ahead.
On Tuesday, we had an English catch-up session, focusing on reading our anchor text. This allowed students to revisit key ideas, develop their comprehension skills, and ensure they are keeping up with core learning. It was great to see students engaging thoughtfully with the material.
Wednesday marked our final Wise Wednesday session of this case study. This was an important milestone, as students reflected on what they have learned so far and began thinking ahead to how they will present their understanding. This week, we will start laying the groundwork for next week’s presentations, with students beginning to organise their ideas and consider how best to communicate them clearly and confidently.
On Thursday, we were joined by students from Crew Sinfield, which provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate beyond our usual crew. Together, we explored the themes of praise and conducts, taking time to recognise those who have consistently demonstrated positive behaviours and contributions. At the same time, we had important conversations around accountability, ensuring that those who had received conducts understood the reasons why and how they can improve moving forward. We finished the session with dedicated time on Sparx tasks, allowing students to stay focused and make progress in their independent learning.
Friday brought the whole school together for our community meeting — a real highlight of the week. This was a chance to celebrate achievements from across the school and recognise the efforts and successes of many students. Some of the key moments included:
Celebrating students who were named Spanish Star of the Week and Artist of the Week
Recognising Year 8 students for their successful and engaging fieldwork trip to Bletchley Park
Showcasing students who took part in the Inside Out global photography project
Applauding those who received the highest number of praises this week
Sharing updates on the attendance league and recognising strong commitment to school
We ended the meeting, as always, with appreciations, apologies, and stands from both students and staff. These moments continue to be powerful in building a respectful and supportive community, where everyone has a voice and takes responsibility for their actions.
Overall, it was a positive, productive, and reflective week for Crew Brunel, and it was a fantastic way to finish before heading into the bank holiday weekend.
They’ve worked so hard in the lead-up, putting real effort into their revision. Then came Monday, stepping into the exam hall for the first time — that took courage, and they showed it.
As the week went on, their resilience really stood out. Even when they were tired after a full morning exam, they kept going and faced the afternoons head-on.
By Friday, with the sun shining and exams finally over, it felt right to slow down. We spent some time on the back field with friends, reflecting and enjoying a well-earned ice lolly.
In our final circle, we asked: What are you most proud of this week? Some talked about improving their revision, others about simply getting through the week, and some were proud of themselves even when things didn’t go to plan — recognising they can learn from it.
And that’s exactly the point of mocks. It’s about making mistakes now, learning from them, and building confidence for next time.
This time next year, they’ll walk into that exam hall knowing what to expect — and ready for it.
After a great day at Bletchley Park, we are all on our way back to XP Doncaster, due to arrive earlier than originally planned. We are due back at 5.30pm ETA.
We have a lot of excited C31 students ready for a day investigating Codes and Ciphers at Bletchley Park. We departed our journey to Bletchley Park and will keep you updated throughout the day!
Right Up Our Street recently visited us at XP School to photograph our students and invite them to participate in the Inside Out Project — a global art movement created by artist JR uniting over 600,000 people across 154 countries through large-scale black and white portraiture.
Our students’ portraits will be showcased at a secret location as part of We Are Donny. Watch this space!
