This week, 7 Skipper have been showing what it really means to work hard and get smart as they prepare for their History skills check on the Norman Conquest.
Our class have been learning how to become more independent and reflective learners by focusing on revision strategies that help them remember and apply key knowledge.
We didn’t just say “go revise” — we learned how to revise. Skipper explored techniques such as:
Creating flashcards with key terms and dates
Using retrieval practice to quiz themselves and each other
Organising knowledge into mind maps to see the bigger picture
Good luck to 7 Skipper in their History skills check today, you’ve got this!
Another great week in Crew! we have been selecting a charity which we will start to raise money for, and we have also spent time in crew looking into the theme of identity. Each member of my crew created an outline of their face and filled the diagram with what makes their personal sense of identity.
We have also taken photos using the photography studio lighting kit so that teachers can see what my crew looks like when they are logging all the wonder praise for their outstanding classwork.
X31 Admiral used their knowledge of ratio to sketch themselves in the style of the Vitruvian Man after measuring their heads and bodies. They also discussed how this linked to their expedition and how we can further improve their sketches throughout the topic of proportion and scale.
The whole class showed amazing teamwork, integrity, respect and craftsmanship and quality in their work.
We’re thrilled to invite you to C29’s Presentation of Learning on Monday 8th December, 4:00–5:30pm.
This special event is a chance for our students to showcase the beautiful work they’ve created during their expedition, as well as the acts of kindness they’ve carried out along the way. It promises to be an afternoon filled with creativity, compassion, and community spirit.
The POL promises to be a festive celebration, filled with inspiring stories of learning and kindness, a vibrant showcase of student work, and plenty of holiday cheer to kick off the season.
So, dust off your Christmas jumper, pop some bells on, and join us for an afternoon of joy and celebration. Let’s come together to recognise the hard work, generosity, and festive spirit of C29.
Date: Monday 8th December Time: 4:00 – 5:30pm Location: XP School Dress code: Christmas jumpers encouraged – the more festive, the better!
What a fantastic start to the new term for Crew Attenborough! This week, we laced up our trainers and headed out on the scenic Monsal Trail in Sheffield for a full school day of adventure, fresh air, and teamwork.
The highlight of the day had to be trialling the very first XP Colour Run – a burst of colour, laughter, and energy that left everyone smiling (and very messy!). It was amazing to see the crew cheering each other on, pushing through the challenge, and celebrating at the finish line in a cloud of bright colours.
To balance the excitement, we also spent time practising some mindfulness activities. It was the perfect chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the beautiful surroundings before heading back to school.
It was a brilliant day to reconnect as a crew, kick off the year with positivity, and make some unforgettable memories together.
Year 7 have kicked off exploring their first case study, Raiders and Rulers! This has taken them back to 1066, a year that changed the course of British history.
In English, they’ve been exploring the themes of love and conflict in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, discovering how Shakespeare’s ideas still connect with us today. Alongside this, in History students have been debating who had the strongest claim to the throne: Harold, William, Hardrada, or Edgar.
We are super impressed with the HOWLS being displayed in Year 7. Take a look at some of their beautiful work below!
This week in Crew Brunel we’ve enjoyed a mix of teamwork, reflection, and celebration. We refreshed our crew photos so staff can easily identify us, and created a playlist full of songs we love – a fun way to share more about ourselves. We also spent time reading individually, progressing with our own books, and worked in groups to take detailed notes during our Wise Wednesday session.
Towards the end of the week, we reflected on our praises and conducts. A huge well done to Elliot and David, who have achieved a no-conduct week again – an excellent start to Year 9 for the two, and a clear sign of the fantastic progress they’re both making. Crew Brunel are very proud of you both! We rounded things off with our whole-school Community Meeting, sharing appreciations, apologies, and stands, and celebrating what makes our school community so strong.
Crew Brunel continues to impress with positivity, focus, and teamwork – a great way to begin the year!
This week, Year 8 students at XP were given an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in their new expedition with a visit from professional artist Michelle Clarke Stables (MC Stables).
Michelle worked with all Year 8 groups, bringing energy, expertise, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live and work as an artist. She inspired students by sharing her personal journey and creative story, showing that art is not just about making something beautiful—it’s about expressing the human experience.
One of the highlights of the day was when Michelle introduced her original artwork and a powerful sculpture titled Entrapment. This piece explores themes of fear, anxiety, and the barriers we sometimes create for ourselves, sparking deep conversations among students about how art can communicate emotion and connect with audiences in powerful ways.
Students also had the rare chance to closely examine Michelle’s original pieces. This hands-on immersion gave them valuable insight into materials, processes, and the layered thinking that goes into creating professional artwork.
The workshops challenged Year 8 to explore expressive mark-making, colour, and words in new ways—laying a strong foundation for their expedition learning. By experiencing art firsthand, students began to see how creativity can give voice to complex ideas, emotions, and stories.
Michelle’s visit has raised the profile of Art across the school, showing students that the subject is not only about developing skills, but also about asking questions, telling stories, and making meaning. She has kindly donated, on loan, some of her pieces to be exhibited within the XP and XPE community which will enrich the arts experience for the whole school; its staff, students, parents and our visitors.
The buzz in classrooms following her sessions has been undeniable, and it’s clear her visit will leave a lasting impression on our budding artists.
“Michelle inspired our artwork in class. I enjoyed that we were able to express ourselves freely through the marks we made. I think it’s good to have authentic artwork around the school. I added XPs Character traits to my own work.” – Jensen E31
What a wonderful start to the year with C31. I’m looking forward to seeing how their work progresses!
This week marked an exciting milestone for Year 7 at XP: their very first immersion week in lessons and the launch of their expedition,This Land is Your Land. The guiding question is, “What’s the story of our community?”
Students have worked as historians, piecing together evidence and time-travelling through four key periods of history:
Medieval
Early Modern
Industrial
Modern
Each lesson gave them a snapshot of how people lived, worked, and shaped the world around them. Together, they began to see how the past connects to the story of our community today.
Immersion also included fieldwork to Murton Park, where students stepped into the past to experience Viking history first-hand. Immersion week has given Year 7 a strong start: asking questions, working as a crew, and beginning to think like historians. We’re excited to see where their expedition journey takes them next.
See photos from the week below! Some scary Vikings in XP Year 7!
