Thank you to those who have already expressed your interest for our Silver DofE. For those who have not yet responded, we’d love to hear from you.
Your child has the opportunity to take part in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) this academic year. The Silver Award is a fantastic way for students to build independence, resilience, and teamwork skills, while enjoying memorable experiences with their peers.
Please take a moment to view the attached information slides which outline what the Silver Award involves. Once you’ve reviewed the details, we kindly ask you to complete the Expression of Interest form using the link below:
What a fantastic first week back at XP! It’s been a week filled with reflection, teamwork, fresh air, and creativity – all rooted in our guiding question: “How can we support each other and act as role models?” Your children have returned with enthusiasm and maturity, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they’ve started the new academic year.
Day 1 – Rebooting Crew & Setting Intentions
We began the week by rebooting our crew, revisiting our norms, and reminding ourselves of what it means to belong to a strong, supportive community. Each student took part in a reflective solo, considering what they want to achieve and experience during their time at XP. This quiet time gave them the space to think deeply and intentionally.
Students then wrote a letter or email to their future Year 11 selves – a powerful exercise in goal setting and self-belief. Alongside this, they made personal pledges to guide their actions this year, setting the tone for a purposeful start.
Day 2 – Fieldwork at Sandal Beat Woods
Our second day took us out into nature with fieldwork at Sandal Beat Woods, where students explored the idea of stewardship in action. They took part in orienteering, mini-beast hunting, conservation work, and survival skills.
A special shout-out goes to Olin, who was the only student to successfully light cotton wool using a flint and steel – a true survivalist! And Alfie went above and beyond in helping clear areas identified by the rangers, showing incredible dedication to caring for our environment.
Every student demonstrated respect, responsibility, and teamwork – true XP values in action.
Day 3 – Inter-crew challenges
On Thursday the gloves were well and truly off when it was time to take on our inter crew challenges. Crew Irwind competitive streak shone through but I was incredibly proud of how all students conducted themselves throughout each task. The level of compassion, integrity and respect from all crew members was amazing to see. Activities included, heads down thumbs up, red light green light, extreme rock parer scissors, jigsaw races, skittle sort rounders and tower building.
Day 4 – Reflection, Creativity & Celebration
We used Thursday to slow things down a little and reflect on our experiences. Students created beautiful products for our crew wall, including:
Collaborative colouring pieces
A photo collage capturing moments from our week
Hand-crafted origami butterflies
These calming, creative activities allowed students to connect with each other in a different way and celebrate their achievements.
Later, we joined up with other XP crews to present our week in our Community Meeting. Our crew shared highlights, reflections, and examples of how they’ve already started being role models within our school.
This first week has set a strong foundation for the year ahead. Your children have already begun to show how they can support one another and lead by example – both within our crew and across the wider XP community.
Thank you for your continued support. We can’t wait to see how our pledges and reflections shape the rest of the term!
The first week of Year 9 was nothing short of incredible for Crew Brunel. From exciting challenges to moments of reflection, we came together as a crew and as a year group to set the tone for what promises to be an amazing year ahead.
Day 1: Rebooting Crew
Our first day began with a crew reboot, revisiting our crew norms and reflecting on our character traits and Habits of Work and Learning (HoWLs). It was a great reminder of how important it is to support one another and hold each other accountable.
Then, we jumped straight into our first round of crew-building activities:
The Egg Drop Challenge – Using sponges, plastic bags, straws, and tape, we designed protective shells to keep our eggs safe during a drop from the balcony. The tension was real, but the creativity was next level!
Plane Races – We crafted paper airplanes, attached balloons and straws, and launched them along a string to see which could travel the furthest.
Then we headed to the sports hall for a series of energetic team games — Rock, Paper, Scissors, Ice Cream Cone, and Marble Balance. These activities pushed us to think strategically, communicate effectively, and most importantly, never give up. It was amazing to see everyone encouraging one another, showing determination, kindness, and resilience.
The afternoon brought a welcome shift in pace with mindfulness activities:
Football – Everyone got involved, supporting one another and demonstrating excellent sportsmanship, even when things didn’t go as planned.
Yoga – Despite some technical glitches, Miss Mitchell stepped in to lead the session. Miss Mitchell and Miss Burnitt reminded us that yoga isn’t about flexibility but about finding calm and moving at our own pace. The session brought balance and focus after our action-packed morning.
We ended the day with mindfulness colouring and bubble making, the perfect way to reflect and relax after an amazing first day together.
Day 2: Building Community
Wednesday began with a community morning where we welcomed the families of our Year 9 students into school. Over refreshments, families, students, and staff connected while taking part in fun games like skittles, curling, parachuting, skipping, and bingo. It was inspiring to see everyone working together, trying new skills, and simply enjoying time as a community.
The afternoon brought one of the highlights of the week: our sponsored colour run in support of Age UK and Diabetes UK. These charities are close to our hearts — diabetes affects members of our school community, and supporting Age UK means giving back to the older generation in our area.
Running laps of the field while being splashed with water and vibrant paint was an unforgettable experience. Parents joined in the fun too, watching us laugh, cheer, and celebrate being part of such a supportive crew.
Day 3: Preparing For DofE
Thursday took us outdoors for an exciting adventure along the Monsal Trail, where we stopped at cache points to collect information for our learning booklets. The walk was tough in places, but our crew showed true grit, determination, and perseverance to complete the trail together.
This is just the beginning, as all Year 9 students will be taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award programme — an amazing opportunity for our students to try new things, challenge themselves, and have plenty of fun along the way! Throughout the programme, they’ll get to learn a brand-new skill, give their time to help others, get active and push themselves physically, and embark on an unforgettable expedition with their crew.
Day 4: Reflecting and Looking Forward
On Friday, we spent time in solo reflection — thinking deeply about the past year and how we’ve grown as individuals and as a crew. We then connected our reflections to this year’s guiding question:
“How can I show kindness to myself and my community and have a positive impact?”
It was a powerful moment of introspection, helping us set personal intentions for the year ahead and reminding us of the strength we have as a crew when we work together.
A Week To Remember!
Our first week in Year 9 has been full of learning, laughter, and growth. From building resilience through challenges to finding calm in moments of mindfulness, Crew Brunel has shown what it truly means to live our values.
If this week is any indication, Year 9 is going to be an incredible journey — one where kindness will guide us every step of the way. Here’s to Year 9!
As our wonderful C28’s progress through their final year in school, there are a number of ways you can support their learning from home.
As such, we would like to invite all Y11 parents and students to our Y11 GCSE Information Evening at XP East on Wednesday, 10th September from 5-6pm.
This evening will focus on providing information about exam layout/content, alongside information and guidance around the revision/work required for each exam and component. This was a really useful evening last year to ensure parents know how to best support our wonderful Y11s throughout their GCSEs. Subject leads and some teachers will also be around if you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you here!
[we are also aware that some students will be out completing their expedition for Silver DofE – parents/caregivers should still attend the GCSE evening].
Crew Darling and X28 started the year off reconnecting, getting outside and embracing a hike together!
A few hours well spent walking around Langsett Reservoir in the Peaks, and capturing the views with some photography challenges! The walk has definitely started us on the right path for the rest of year 11!
Just a reminder that on our first day back (Tuesday 26 August), Year 11 students will be completing a hike around Langsett Reservoir. An information letter, kit list, and consent form has been sent to parents separately by email.
XP students should be at school by 8:15 on Tuesday 26 August for an 8:30 a.m. departure. Students will return to school by 2:30.
XPE students should be at school for the normal time, with a departure of 9:00 a.m. and returning to school by 3:00 p.m.
It looks as though rain may be possible so please ensure that your children are appropriately dressed for the weather. All students will need a packed lunch.
As Year 8 draws to a close, Crew Brunel can look back with pride on a journey that’s been anything but ordinary. It’s been a bumpy ride at times — full of ups and downs, new challenges, and moments of reflection. But through it all, the students of Crew Brunel have shown resilience, growth, and a developing sense of who they are.
This year has been about more than just lessons and work. It’s been a time for each student to start finding their place — not just in Crew Brunel, but within themselves. Whether navigating friendships, academic challenges, or personal growth, every student has taken steps forward.
We’ve taken part in several Student-Led Conferences (SLCs), Presentations of Learning (POLs), and reflective crew sessions, where our crew members stood up and reflected on their academic journeys with honesty and confidence. These moments gave us all the chance to celebrate progress and set fresh goals.
We also threw ourselves into whole-school events — Sports Day was full of energy, team spirit, and a healthy dose of competition. The XP Arts Festival, Brooke, Lily, Chloe, Livvy and Matilda took to the stage with amazing performances that made Crew Brunel beam with pride. Crew Drop Down Day was a highlight of ours, where we welcomed local police officers into school. They delivered powerful and informative talks about the dangers of knife and gun crime, the important role police dogs play in their work, and even gave us the chance to explore some of their equipment — including uniform, vehicles and protective gear. It was a valuable and eye-opening experience for everyone involved.
And of course, we’ve had some incredible achievements to celebrate within crew itself. A huge shout-out to Pippa, who continues to lead the way with a staggering 194 praise points this year! Her consistent effort and work ethic have set a shining example. And let’s not forget Ayden, who’s been named our Crew Champion. His commitment to improving and pushing himself this year has truly paid off — what a journey he’s been on!
As we step into the summer break, we do so with pride and hope. Year 9, here we come — stronger, wiser, and ready for whatever comes next. Well done, Crew Brunel!
Last Wednesday, all XP/E students took part in an awesome Crew Community Engagement Day designed to prepare them for a safe and informed summer.
The day featured hands-on workshops and demos led by local police and services. Students explored police kit, vehicles, and drone technology, gaining insight into how these tools are used in real-life situations. Sessions, talks and Q&As encouraged honest conversations and gave students practical tools to navigate peer pressure and online challenges over the holidays.
Experts also led impressive water search and safety demos, offering essential guidance as students head into the warmer months.
One of the most memorable moments was a powerful session on Guns and Knives Save Lives, highlighting the importance of making positive decisions. Another highlight for each year group was being able to witness a brilliant police dog demonstration from Jess and Kairo, showcasing the vital role of dogs in police work!
We’re proud of our students for engaging so thoughtfully, and grateful to all who supported the day. As summer begins, our young people are stepping forward with greater awareness, confidence, and resilience. A huge appreciation to the team at SYP for helping plan and perform such a fantastic day! We hope all students have a fantastic and safe summer!
This term, our students have been combining their knowledge from science and maths to explore one of the most important issues facing our planet: climate change. As part of a cross-curricular project, pupils worked in groups to investigate different climate-related topics, using the statistical skills they developed in maths to interpret and present real-world scientific data.
Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic work they produced:
Group 1: Comparing Energy Sources – UK vs India
Group 1 investigated how different countries generate their energy. They discovered that in the UK, wind energy is now the leading source, while in India, coal remains the primary energy provider.
They discussed why this difference exists. The UK has invested heavily in renewable energy infrastructure and benefits from strong and consistent winds, especially offshore. In contrast, India relies more on coal due to its large domestic coal reserves and growing demand for affordable energy in a developing economy.
The group clearly presented their findings using pie charts, making the differences in energy sources easy to understand.
Group 2: The UK’s Renewable Energy Success
Group 2 focused more closely on energy use within the UK. They were pleased to find that renewable energy now makes up the majority of the UK’s energy supply—a sign of the country’s ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Using another well-designed pie chart, they showed how wind, solar, and other renewable sources now outpace fossil fuels in the UK’s energy mix.
Group 3: CO₂ Emissions by Country
Group 3 examined global carbon dioxide emissions, identifying which countries produce the most and what that means on a per capita basis. They explained that “per capita” means emissions divided by the number of people—so it shows how much CO₂ each person is responsible for on average. Their research revealed that Saudi Arabia has the highest CO₂ emissions per capita, largely due to its oil industry and high energy use per person. They used a bar chart to compare emissions between countries and make the data accessible
Group 4: Global Temperatures on the Rise
This group explored how global temperatures have changed over time. Using a scatter graph, they plotted temperature data from past decades and found a clear upward trend—evidence of global warming in action.
This group made great use of their maths skills to interpret the pattern in the data and connect it to what they had learned in science about greenhouse gases and climate change.
Group 5: Arctic Sea Ice – A Visual Decline
The final group looked at how Arctic sea ice has changed over time. They created a bar chart comparing sea ice levels from 1995 to 2025, showing a clear decline over the 30-year period.
Their work helped highlight how rising temperatures are affecting our planet’s polar regions—and why this matters for ecosystems, wildlife, and sea levels.
This project was a brilliant example of how students can use maths and science together to explore real-world challenges. Not only did they strengthen their understanding of data and climate, but they also developed teamwork, research, and communication skills.
I am incredibly proud of the effort and thought our students put into their work—and the powerful messages they shared about the state of our planet. 🌍📊
Last Wednesday, 43 students from Year 7 through to Year 10 had the incredible opportunity to visit the heart of British democracy; Parliament!
From the moment we arrived, it was clear our students were representing XP and XP East with pride. Compared to other school groups touring Westminster that day, our young people stood out as the most polite, knowledgeable, and respectful by far. Staff from the Parliament Education Service commented on how impressed they were with the conduct, curiosity, and confidence of our students, feedback that was 100% positive across the board.
Throughout the day, students explored the House of Commons and House of Lords, took part in a hands-on workshop about how laws are made, and even had time to rub shoulders with some politicians. Among the highlights: spotting Diane Abbott in the corridor, chatting with members of the House of Lords, and touring Westminster. Sadly, Sir Keir Starmer was tied up; rumour has it he was a bit busy running the country, but we did meet Sally from the Parliament team, who made time for our brilliant students! However, Students did have the opportunity to discuss petition ideas with Sally Jameson (local MP for Doncaster)!
What really stood out, though, was how every student embodied our character traits to the fullest: respect, craftsmanship & quality, and above all, compassion.
A huge shoutout and heartfelt thanks to Mr Morrison, Mrs Fowler, Mrs cross, and Mrs Burrows for supporting the fieldwork, and for getting up at 4am!.
