XP School

A small group of pupils from year ten enjoyed a guided tour of the new Doncaster Library and Museum building. These pupils are engaging with XP’s rigorous and academically challenging curriculum. Initial ideas for personal research projects include investigations into the social care system, the history of mental health treatment in the UK and the use of music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. The purpose of this fieldwork was to introduce pupils to the free resources available to help them with their personal research projects. Quiet work spaces, a supportive education team and free wifi make the library building the ideal place for pupils to base themselves to complete their independent study outside of school hours. These pupils are now equipped with library membership, knowledge of how to borrow books and the ability to access online academic journals. These will all be invaluable in helping pupils to Lead Our Own Learning for this ambitious and challenging Project Qualification.

Throughout October, our students have taken on an exciting Gothic Reading Challenge, immersing themselves in an abridged version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This iconic novel tells the chilling story of Jonathan Harker, who travels to the foreboding castle of Count Dracula in Transylvania, only to uncover the terrifying truth about the Count’s supernatural powers and the sinister events that unfold around him.

Using the knowledge gained from their reading, students embarked on an immersive murder mystery this morning, working together to solve the murder of none other than Jonathan Harker himself. Equipped with investigative skills and clues drawn from the text, they examined witness statements and physical evidence to piece together what happened.

I was incredibly impressed by the thoughtful theories they shared, many of which were based on keen observations of the physical evidence left behind. The students’ thorough understanding of the novel shone through in their discussions, proving just how deeply they engaged with the material.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Halloween!

— Happy Halloweeny Half Term, Miss Buckley 🎃

Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew

Crew Lovelace cleaned up the car park this morning with a litter pick, this act of service will go towards their Voluntary section of their Bronze DofE award.

This week, the E29 Crew Phase have stepped up to take on a new role as stewards of our school community. As part of their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) journey, our Year 9 students have begun embracing additional responsibilities, including litter picking and managing lost property across both school sites.

These tasks might seem small, but they have a significant impact. Keeping our school environment clean and organised reflects the pride we take in being part of XP East. It fosters a sense of ownership, respect, and care for the spaces we all share.

We’re proud of E29 for their hard work and commitment to making our school a better place for everyone.

— E29 The Crew Leaders

Find out more here and apply now to #JoinOurCrew

On Friday 11th October, a group of fifteen Key Stage Four pupils were invited to visit the University of Cambridge. Places for this fieldwork were hotly contested. Pupils had to make a written application outlining their suitability for the visit, which was excellent preparation for future job and university applications. Mrs Poncia, our Key Stage Four Lead, was very impressed to read quality self reflection in the successful applications. 

All pupils on the visit conducted themselves incredibly maturely, and we were especially proud to see the confidence with which they asked clarifying and probing questions of the Cambridge staff and students about what it is like to study there.

The day included a guided tour of Homerton College and Cambridge city centre. It was fascinating to see all the colleges and historical sites, such as Sir Isaac Newton’s apple tree. During the afternoon, pupils were put to the test by a professor’s puzzles often used as part of the admissions process. These puzzles required lots of critical thinking, problem solving and quick mental arithmetic to solve a crime – with lots of our students (and Miss Cocliff!) being part of the winning teams! Pupils were in teams competing with each other and pupils from other schools to solve the crime. 

Fortunately, the challenging curriculum at XP prepared our pupils well for this as they are well used to making lateral connections between subjects. Here at XP, we agree wholeheartedly with the professor’s assertions that “it isn’t enough to just know stuff”. You must be able to apply it to different situations too! 

Miss Cross & Miss Cocliff x