We’re looking for Cleaners at Green Top School!
https://xptrust.org/xp-trust-cleaners/
Find out more here and apply to #JoinOurCrew
Powering the Future: Virtual Reality and Renewable Energy
As part of our current expedition, 8.3: Inside the Code, our Year 8 students have been exploring the invisible systems that keep our modern world communicating. But building encrypted networks and powering communication hubs requires energy—and lots of it.
To explore how we can power our future sustainably, we were incredibly lucky last Tuesday to welcome an expert guest into the classroom: Ian Barnes, the Renewable Manager at AE Spinks.
Mr. Barnes spoke to our students about the critical realities of climate change and how we can use environmentally friendly methods to heat our homes. He gave the class a deep dive into the world of heat pumps—a technology currently revolutionising renewable energy across the UK.
Our students got some fantastic “insider facts” about the industry. Mr. Barnes explained the practical realities of his day-to-day role, including the logistics of fitting heat pumps into different types of housing—explaining exactly what makes an installation straightforward, and what makes it tricky. He also shared his overarching mission: to massively increase the number of heat pumps operating across the UK to help reduce our collective carbon footprint.
Learning about engineering is one thing, but actually doing it is another! Following the talk, the students put on VR headsets to step directly into a virtual installation site.
Taking on the role of a heat pump engineer, students had to physically navigate the virtual environment to build, wire, and install their very own heat pump systems. It was an incredible way to bring complex, invisible engineering right into the classroom, allowing students to apply their problem-solving skills in real time.
A massive thank you to Ian Barnes and AE Spinks for taking the time to visit us, sharing their expertise, and letting our students experience the future of green engineering in virtual reality!
Sharing our Stories: 10/07/2026
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
Crew Irwin attending the ‘We Care’ event @ XP School
Year 9 Sporting Leaders Shine at Owston Sports Day @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Ignite your child’s creativity at XP East!
At XP East, we believe that creativity is a powerful tool for learning, expression, and personal growth. Our Visual Arts Aptitude route offers a unique opportunity for Year 7 students with a natural flair for creativity to gain a place at a school where the arts are truly valued.
This pathway is open to all children, no prior art training or experience required, just a passion for drawing, designing, and thinking creatively.
Through an inspiring curriculum, expert support, and dynamic extra-curricular opportunities, students will develop their talents across a range of visual art disciplines. If your child loves to create, imagine, and explore the world through art, this is the perfect chance to help them shine. Click here to see highlights from our recent annual XP Festival of Arts and Culture
Apply now and let their creativity take centre stage! Find out more about this here: https://xptrust.info/XPEVA
Applying for a place at XP – Fair Banding Assessment
To ensure a balanced intake of students across all ability levels, all applicants to an XP secondary school must sit a Fair Banding Assessment.
This multiple-choice test focuses on non-verbal reasoning and helps us place students into one of five ability bands. There is no pass or fail, and results are used solely to support a broad and representative admissions process.
Completing the assessment is a key part of the application and must be done to be considered for a place.
Please ensure your child is registered by 31st October 2026 and prepared to attend the assessment on 21st November 2026.
Find out more here – https://xptrust.info/XPTFBA
Summer opportunities
Fantastic opportunities for students over summer. Take a look.
Click on the poster
Free Family Event: Lifewise Open Day 2026 🚓🚨
Please see the attached poster regarding the upcoming Lifewise Open Day on Thursday 6 August (10am – 3pm).
It is a fantastic, free day out for families at the Lifewise Centre in Hellaby, featuring emergency vehicles, uniform try-ons, fingerprinting, and crafts.
A dedicated quiet time will run from 10:00am to 10:30am.
A Landmark Day: The First XP Trust Primary Sports Day
This term marked a significant milestone as we proudly hosted the very first XP Trust Primary Sports Day, bringing together pupils from Plover Primary School, Green Top School, Carcroft Primary School and Norton Infant School for a day of sport, teamwork and celebration.
The event was a fantastic opportunity for children from across our Trust to come together, build new friendships and enjoy a wide range of sporting activities in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment. Throughout the day, pupils demonstrated determination, resilience and excellent sportsmanship, encouraging one another and celebrating every achievement.
From exciting races to skill-based challenges, every event gave pupils the chance to challenge themselves, work as part of a team and experience the joy of being active. The atmosphere throughout the day was filled with enthusiasm, encouragement and smiles, with supporters cheering on every participant from start to finish.
The success of the event was made possible through the collaboration of staff from across the XP Trust, whose teamwork and commitment ensured the day ran smoothly and provided memorable experiences for every child involved.
As the first event of its kind, the XP Trust Primary Sports Day highlighted the strength of working together as a Trust. By bringing our schools together, we created opportunities for children to connect, compete and celebrate their achievements as part of a wider community.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to the Doncaster Rovers Academy for joining us to present the awards at the end of the day. Their support added to the occasion and reflects the exciting partnership that continues to develop between the XP Trust and Doncaster Rovers Academy. We look forward to working together to create even more opportunities for our young people in the future.
A huge thank you to all of the pupils and staff who helped make the day such a success. We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part and look forward to making the XP Trust Primary Sports Day an annual tradition for many years to come.
Well done to the winners Green Top Primary School.
LOOK OUT FOR THE VIDEO SOON.
Year 9 Sporting Leaders Shine at Owston Sports Day
Our Year 9 Sports Leaders recently had the fantastic opportunity to support Owston School Sports Day, putting their leadership skills into practice while helping to create a fun and inclusive experience for younger pupils.
Throughout the day, our students led a variety of activities and events, demonstrating confidence, responsibility and enthusiasm. From organising races and explaining the rules to encouraging participants and celebrating every success, they played a key role in ensuring the day ran smoothly.
The Sports Leaders were excellent role models, showing patience, positivity and teamwork as they worked with children across different year groups. Their encouragement helped pupils to take part with confidence, enjoy being active and experience the values of fair play and sportsmanship.
This opportunity provided our Year 9 students with valuable real-world leadership experience. By communicating effectively, solving problems and adapting to different situations, they continued to develop important skills that extend far beyond sport.
We are incredibly proud of the maturity, professionalism and commitment shown by all of our Sports Leaders. Their willingness to volunteer their time and support the local community reflects the character and values we strive to develop at XP.
A huge thank you goes to Owston School for welcoming our students and providing such a rewarding opportunity. We look forward to continuing to build these partnerships and giving our young leaders more opportunities to inspire others through sport.
Sharing our Stories: 03/07/2026
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
Celebrating Our Learning @ Norton Infants
Energy, teamwork and school pride! @ XP School
Inside Out: Beautiful Work at Doncaster Airport! @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
