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!.
Next Wednesday, 16th July 2025, XP will be hosting a Police Day for students in Years 7 to 10 across XP and XP East.
This is a pre-planned educational event and part of our wider curriculum focused on citizenship, personal safety, and community engagement. Students will take part in a range of age appropriate sessions including workshops, talks, and demonstrations led by members of South Yorkshire Police and other community safety organisations.
Throughout the day, there will be a high and visible police presence on site, including:
Police officers in uniform
Police dog demonstrations
Police vehicles and equipment
Community safety teams
This is nothing to be concerned about; all activities are designed to support learning and build positive relationships between young people and the police. We look forward to an exciting and meaningful day! Students will need pack lunches (FSM are provided). If you have any questions or concerns please email Miss Wilkinson, Mrs Burrows or Mrs Poncia.
As we approach our exciting fieldwork visit to the Houses of Parliament, please take note of the final arrangements to ensure a smooth and successful day.
Key Information:
Date: Wednesday 9th July 2025
Departure from XP: Students must arrive at school no later than 5:00amfor a prompt 5:15am departure
Estimated Arrival in London: 10:00am
Return to XP: Approximately 5:30pm
We will share updates on our journey and arrival times via the school blog and email.
To make the most of the day and stay comfortable throughout, please ensure your child comes fully prepared with the following:
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Packed lunch and snacks
Students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) will be provided with a packed lunch
Breakfast to eat on the coach journey (bag for rubbish)
Two bottles of water or a large reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
A jacket appropriate for the weather – it may be warm, but layers are recommended
Comfortable footwear for walking
A device for use during activities
Any necessary medication (e.g. inhalers, travel sickness tablets) clearly labelled
Reminder: C28 students who will be on work experience will attend their placements for two days instead of three this week, in order to allow them to fully participate in this valuable fieldwork opportunity. This must have been agreed with Mrs Burns on an individual basis in advance of Wednesday.
The spirit of Crew really shone today in Crew Irwin’s first XPD sports day. It was so lovely to see them cheering each other on and working together as a team.
During the morning they took part in two events, either rounders or football and then either an athletics event or dodgeball. A huge shout out to the relay team for an amazing win for our crew!!
We then had some time to grab an ice cream or ice pop before going back to our crew rooms to design our crew mascots, recreate a sporting photo and tackle the 2025 XPD sports quiz.
To round the day off we all went out for the final results and to see XPD’s very own cheerleaders show off their skills, two of the squad being from our crew.
Overall we came a respectable 2nd in X31!
One very proud crew leader for the effort everyone has put in today and for making the day so enjoyable
At the start of the week, Crew Brunel hosted a charity bake sale, all in support of their chosen charity – the Coral Reef Alliance.
The Coral Reef Alliance works to protect and preserve coral reefs around the world, helping marine ecosystems thrive. By supporting their work, Crew Brunel is contributing to a healthier ocean and a brighter future for our planet.
With a table full of cupcakes, brownies, and cookies, students and staff were tempted by the sweet treats, all freshly made and sold with a smile. Crew Brunel worked hard to plan and bake for the event, and their efforts paid off – raising a fantastic £60 for a cause that’s close to their hearts.
A big thank you to everyone who baked, bought, and supported the sale. Your generosity and sweet tooth made a real difference!
This week, X28 took on the big question: ‘Does the soul exist?‘ After exploring philosophical, religious, and scientific views, students in X28 Ethics prepared and delivered powerful debates, showcasing critical thinking, teamwork, and real passion for their given argument!
The debates were thoughtful, respectful, and often fiery! Students presented clear arguments, challenged one another with sharp rebuttals, and reflected deeply on what it means to exist and a be a good human.
MASSIVE SHOUTOUT TO OUR VOTED MVPS; ANNA AND TYLER!
