This afternoon I have had a great time! I managed to visit all year groups who were in session at XP East and see how settled our starts to afternoon sessions are. In the STEM and HUMs lessons I visited , the focus was immediate. Students wasted no time opening up their books or logging into Tassomai, swiftly immersing themselves in independent reading and targeted retrieval practices.

Craftsmanship on Display in E29

Meanwhile, in the E29 3D Art classroom, a completely different kind of focus was underway. The room was a hub of deliberate, high-quality craftsmanship as students worked diligently on their 3D products.

The attention to detail and standard of work on display today highlighted true pride in curation. From initial structural choices to the final meticulous finishes, our students are proving themselves to be true artisans, pushing the boundaries of their creativity and technical skill.

It has been a fantastic, deeply productive start to the afternoon here at XP East. A huge well done to all of our students for maintaining such high standards and bringing their best selves to their crews today!

I was invited into to the official relaunch of Embrace today — our dedicated hub designed to support wellbeing, foster connections, and provide a safe, structured environment during social times.

We are only a few days into the relaunch, and we are already seeing a massive, positive shift in how students utilise their lunchtimes. While unstructured free time is important, it can sometimes feel overwhelming or isolating for students. By providing a well-structured shared space, Embrace has bridged the gap.

We are already noticing;

1. A Sanctuary for Wellbeing

Navigating the school day can be draining for some of our students. Embrace offers a calm, regulated environment where students can decompress, take a breath, and reset before their afternoon classes. It has quickly become a cornerstone of our daily mental health support.

2. Meaningful Social Interactions

Because the space is structured with intentional activities, board games, and relaxed seating arrangements, breaking the ice is easy. We are seeing students from different year groups sit down together, share, and build new friendships that might never have formed.

3. Reduced Social Anxiety

The environment naturally invites participation, giving everyone a clear sense of belonging and a safe place to land. Staff and Students – Next time you pass by during lunch, take a peek inside!

From discussions about health, wellbeing and personal safety to debates around democracy, British Values and life beyond school, students across XP Doncaster have engaged in thoughtful and meaningful learning through Wise Wednesdays this term. This newsletter celebrates some of the beautiful work taking place in Crews and provides a preview of the important topics students will be exploring next term.

Monday 15 June – XP East
Tuesday 16 June – XP School

As part of their Power and Prejudice expedition, E29 (Year 10) students will be taking part in fieldwork at the National Holocaust Museum. This visit will support their learning as they explore the Guiding Question:

“How does ideology impact people’s lives?”

Travel Arrangements

Students will depart school at 9:15am and are expected to return at approximately 3:15pm. Please note that return times may be affected by factors outside of our control, such as traffic. Any updates to arrival times will be shared via the school website.

What Students Need to Bring

Students should bring:

• A packed lunch
• A water bottle
• A pen

Students who are entitled to free school meals will be provided with a packed lunch by the school.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the fieldwork, please contact Shannam at [email protected] or speak to your child’s Crew Leader.

Monday- Athletics practice 3.30-4.30

Wednesday- Rounders practice 3.30-4.30 and Cricket fixture away return to school for 5.15pm

Thursday- Cheerleading practice 3.30-4.30 and girls badminton fixture away return at 5.15pm. ~No cricket practice due to fixture.

It is truly inspiring to witness students when they are given the reins to help shape the teaching in their own school. This Thursday afternoon, that energy was on full display at XP East as we held interviews for new teachers joining us for the upcoming academic year.

It wasn’t just a formal panel of adults making the decisions. Our students were right at the heart of the process, actively leading the direction of our school and proving once again just how vital student voice is in our community.

Setting the Standard: E31 Pioneer

A massive highlight of the afternoon was the engagement of our E31 Pioneer class. Their focus during the session was outstanding.

The candidates were put through their paces, but what really shone through was how naturally our students integrated our HoWLs (Habits of Work and Learning). They didn’t just participate; they modelled what it means to work hard, get smart, and be kind. It is a powerful thing to watch young people take total ownership of their learning environment.

A Huge Thank You to Our Student Panel

While the students were busy in the lesson, the formal interview process was running in parallel, including the support of Liam, Nicola, and Kiera from E29.

These three students stepped up to support the formal interview panels with absolute professionalism. We deeply value their contributions to the afternoon—their perspectives gave us insights into student teacher relationships and the way these students talked about our school to the candidates with integrity and a genuine pride in How we XP was so beautiful to witness!

Why Student Voice Matters

Thursday was a beautiful reminder of why we do things differently at XP. We don’t just talk about student voice; we live it. When we trust our students to help choose the educators who will teach them, we aren’t just filling a vacancy—we are building a culture.

I have had the best first week back after half term – Mrs Salter

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Class 5 Artists @ Green Top

Y5 Scientists @ Plover

Crew McLoughlin Become Historians! @ Carcroft School

POL and our first XPG Live for all families @ XP Gateshead

Seaside explorers @ Norton Infants

Spotting Greatness in X32 Skipper: Working Hard, Getting Smart, and Being Kind @ XP School

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Cricket will finish at 4pm on Thursday 4th June.

Thanks Team PE

Find out more here and apply to #JoinOurCrew – https://xptrust.org/xp-trust-cleaners/

Monday- Athletics 3.30-4.30

Wednesday- Rounders practice 3.30-4.30

Thursday – Cricket practice 3.3-4.30 and cheerleading practice 3.30-.5pm

Thanks Team PE.