Sharing our Stories: 18/07/2025
Beautiful Work This Week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust from the last two weeks of term! It’s been filled with all kinds of wonderful things from all of our schools. To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
Why the Arts Matter at XP – Our Festival Highlights @ XP Trust
At the Coalface: POL @ Norton Juniors
Climate Change Through Data @ XP
G29 What a Wonderful World POL @ XP Gateshead
Share your stories with us!
From all of us here at XP – have a great summer break! We’ll be back in the new term with more beautiful work to share!
Why the Arts Matter at XP – Our Festival Highlights
At XP, we believe education should help young people discover who they are, what they stand for, and how they can make a difference. The arts are at the heart of this.
Through music, dance, drama, and visual art, our students learn to collaborate, express themselves, and craft work of real depth and beauty. These aren’t “extras” to the curriculum – they are essential experiences that develop the character traits we value above anything else: courage, craftsmanship, respect, and compassion.
Last Friday, we celebrated these values at our second XP Festival of Arts & Culture – a day filled with music, dance, and art from across all the schools in our Trust. Every primary school showcased their dancing skills in collaboration with Phoenix Dance Company, alongside cheerleaders and singers from across the Trust.
The afternoon culminated in a show-stopping parade led by the New York Brass Band, bringing everyone together for an unforgettable rendition of Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration”. The evening carried the energy forward with live music from XP Doncaster and XP Gateshead students, alongside local bands and professional artists.
Our students were phenomenal – both on stage and in the audience – showing once again the power of Crew in action.
A huge thank you goes to the XP Doncaster and Plover staff who stewarded and supported the event. It was a powerful example of what’s possible when we create spaces for young people to thrive.
Here’s to next year!!!
In Crew,
Andy Sprakes
Crew Schon Attendance
I am absolutely bursting with pride at Crew Schon’s commitment towards their attendance this year. They have absolutely loved trying to win the Crew kitty money each week. Before Christmas we had no crew kitty money to spend at Mrs Fitz’s shop. We were the only crew in KS1 who had no crew kitty money. Since then the children have been very dedicated and motivated towards their attendance and we have absolutely smashed it. Mrs Fitz said she felt we were going for the school record for best attendance as she was handing out so much money to us! Our Key Stage attendance bear, Paddington, has practically lived in our crew room, especially during the Summer Term. Attendance is so important in school and I would like to thank the children and their families for ensuring children do not miss out on vital learning opportunities and experiences. I have had such a wonderful year with you all and I hope you love your attendance rewards, you thoroughly deserve them!
STEM Challenge with Miss Schon
On Tuesday we had so much fun taking part in the STEM challenge. The children who came to work with me were absolutely amazing. Their behaviour was awesome and they were extremely committed to the task, I think they would have carried on building their bridges all day! They were brilliant at recognising any flaws in their design and making adaptions. I had a wonderful day spending time with them all and I loved observing new friendships forming. Here they are with their bridges!
Year 6 Leavers Party 2025
Wow what an amazing day we have had celebrating our fabulous year 6 children. To finish off our week of treats and celebrations, we enjoyed a Hawaii themed party. A fantastic time was had by all – face paint, takeaway, ice cream, singing, a dance off, football and even a little singing from Mr Ambler! We had so much fun and never stopped smiling and laughing all evening. Check out the photos below – some people were a little camera shy and wouldn’t visit the photo booth so hopefully we managed to catch everyone at some point!
Year 1 and 2 product drop off!
Our Year 1 and 2s loved being able to drop off their Paddington themed mobiles at a local day care nursery. We loved sharing our knowledge with the adults too!
Roll UP! Roll UP! Our Amazing Academic Diaries are here for you to purchase!
Wow! Wow! Wow! You do not want to miss out on this fabulous academic diary, jam-packed with craft ideas and important information all about staying fit and healthy! These diaries were designed and curated by the children in Year 3 and 4 as part of their Spring expedition product and we think they look amazing.
Diaries will be available to purchase in person tomorrow at our End of Year Picnic, or you can pre-order by paying with your class teacher in the morning. Each diary is priced at £5.00 with all proceeds going towards supporting events and projects in school next year.
Thank you, the LKS2 team and children x
CrewWalton Graduate!
Crew Walton are preparing to move on to Year 6 by graduating! Sadly, a couple of special faces are missing, but we continue to be Crew!
Drone photo
Recently, we captured a truly heartwarming moment with a drone photo that brought our whole school community together—from our smallest nursery children to our Year 6 leaders. In a striking display of unity and creativity, the children formed the word ‘Compassion’ on the school field, one of our core Character Traits. Seeing every child take part in spelling out such a powerful value was a moving reminder of the spirit that runs through our school: kindness, empathy, and care for others. The aerial shot not only showcases our pupils’ teamwork but also reflects the compassionate culture we nurture every day.
Bridge building with Mrs Shaw
Yesterday I worked with children from year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 to see who could work together to build the strongest bridge out of art straws. It was lots of fun seeing the children mix with different people but I also loved us testing the bridges out at the end! Great work everyone who came to my room!
