Phoenix Dance Theatre Project 2025

This week, we had the fantastic opportunity to welcome Phoenix Dance Theatre back into school to work with some of our students — and what a brilliant start it was!

We kicked off the session by getting to know each other and meeting our inspiring instructor, Emma, who brought great energy and expertise to the room. From there, we moved onto contemporary dance technique, focusing on fluidity and using our whole bodies to express movement.

The students then explored their creativity through collaborative tasks, experimenting with intricate shapes and physical storytelling with their peers. We wrapped up by reflecting on the idea of community — sharing thoughts on what it means to us to be a part of a community and how we might bring this theme to life through movement.

We’re already excited for our next session, where we’ll begin shaping our final performance piece for the XP Arts Festival in July. Watch this space — something special is in the making!

Miss Mitchell

Year 11 Historians Explore Industrial Heritage at Plant Works for GCSE Study

This week C27 were able to tour the historic plantworks site in Hexthorpe, Donaster. Here they took a tour of the Wabtec facility from the HVAC testing shop to the erecting house which was home to the legendary Flying Scotsman. The students were able to take in the history of the location as they were escorted around the 22 acre site seeing where it reached to at the height of production, spanning a staggering 90 acres. The site has been an integral part of our community for more than 170 years employing thousands of local people who worked numerous jobs from labourers to master craftspeople. The plant was also an integral part of the war effort with Doncaster women becoming ‘Munitionettes’, working long hours in dangerous conditions.

With the future of the site being discussed this may well be the last cohort from XP Trust to visit such an important part of Doncasters heritage. With this area of Hexthorpe being home to such historic achievements and listed buildings it really was a privilege to be welcomed into this local slice of industry.  

X31 Skipper – Bringing a ‘Storm in a teashop’ to life!

Take a look into X31 Skipper’s classroom, where they have been working hard crafting and practicing their fluency skills in English!

Students have embraced the challenge of building their fluency and comprehension skills through one of our anchor text stories, ‘A Storm in a Teashop‘, focusing on the events during the First World War. It was a brilliant display of reading, with each student nailing key pauses, skilful dramatisation, and the use of clauses and tone pitch. Their interpretations not only shed light on stories of the First World War, but also showed courage and compassion for one another.

Take a look at the attached video to see the magic of X31 Skipper in action!

C28/E27 Superb Focus and Effort in English LOOL

Over the last half term we began a project focused on the documentary ‘Blackfish’ about the plight of orcas at Seaworld.

After completing our research and extending our comprehension skills last half term, this half term we are starting to apply this to our GCSE Component 2 English Language Transactional Writing tasks.

Today in LOOL students started to plan a persuasive e-mail which we will be sending to the governor of Orlando, Florida explaining why we feel orcas and other sea animals should no longer be held at Seaworld.

The focus and engagement of all the students involved has been superb and I am very excited to see what they produce.

Well done guys!

Mrs Desborough – Trust Leader of English

C29 – Conversations with Conversation Club

A Message from the Students of C29:

Hello everyone,

This week, we had the privilege of hosting the Conversation Club at our school, where we learned about the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. It was eye-opening to discover that they receive just £50 a week to cover essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene products.

One of the significant expenses they encounter is transportation, which can cost up to £5 a day. This is a considerable amount given their limited budget. However, we realised that having a bike could eliminate this expense entirely, providing them with free and reliable transportation.

To help make a difference, we are organising a bike drive. We are reaching out to our community for donations of any old bikes that you no longer need. Bikes in any condition (unless completely broken) can be incredibly valuable. At XP we pride ourselves on our curriculum themes and our outward facing work, and this is opportunity for our Crew to participate in both!

You can drop off your bike donations at XP/E, and we will ensure they reach the Conversation Club, who will distribute them to those in need. Your generous contributions will be greatly appreciated by the refugees and asylum seekers and will help ease their daily struggles.

Thank you so much for your support and kindness.

Warm regards,

The Students of C29

An Appeal from C29

X28 Crew Darling – Smashing their Practice DofE Walk

I was excited to join my Crew last week for their practice walk (from a distance) for their Bronze DofE award. Crew Darling displayed great teamwork, support and compassion for one another on a hot, humid and challenging day. They even tried their hand at some sheep herding! Take a look at the fantastic day that was had, especially impressed with their cooking skills!