Last Friday 9 selected students from XP & XPE spent the afternoon at Higher Rhythm listening to presentations from local musicians Dan Whitehouse (freelance musician, producer and educator) & Christian Carlisle (BBC Radio Sheffield presenter and musician). Through the relaxed presentations students got to know more about the opportunities within Doncaster, how to get started in the music industry and learn from the personal experiences of the experts.

Dan chatted to the students about his days supporting the Arctic Monkeys and how he sustains a consistent living as a freelance musician and Christian told the students about his journey from a small Scottish village to arriving in Donny and realising he had a talent for radio. He is now the main man for giving rising stars and fresh new acts a break on BBC Radio Sheffield through his show, BBC Introducing.

Also while we were at Higher Rhythm, Dan gave us a tour of their facilities and explained the ways our students could get involved in order to support their next steps in the business through level 3 courses and Post 16 opportunities along with volunteering sessions and short courses.

It was a great way to experience a local organisation supporting the development of local students into the world of music and how to create a career in this exciting industry. The energy and passion Christian showed us was infectious and he highlighted that if you have the drive to succeed you can achieve whatever you want.

A special mention must go to Chrissy Moog from Higher Rhythm for inviting us and to Mrs Burns (XP / XPE Careers Lead) for her support in organising our involvement too.

We are very lucky to have secured the world class Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band to visit XP as experts for Year 7 (E28) as part of their expedition ‘From The Ground Up’.

We have been studying brass bands as part of this expedition and couldn’t have found a better example for the students to hear than Frickley, who are currently the No.10 best band in the world!

They will visit XP on Wednesday 17th November where they will rehearse for our students from 8:00pm – 9:00pm. Students will need to arrive (through the normal student entrance) for 7:45pm. Students will need to be dropped off and collected by a suitable adult from Car Park 3 (the normal car park at the side of school). Students will come into XP school and sit on the main stairs.

Please complete this form so we have an idea of numbers. It is an expectation for students to attend an event like this unless there is a particular reason for being unable to (eg. a prior commitment or a transport issue).

Any further questions please email Mr Robins ([email protected])

This really will be a night to remember!

The Autumn term instrumental lessons will be in full swing by next week for those students who signed up at the end of last year. Most students have received their lessons this week. Any students that didn’t get started this week will be scheduled to start next week.

Payment for these lessons will be set up on ParentPay asap and this term’s invoice will need to be settled before October half term.

Drum lessons specifically will NOT start until after October half term due to Mr West (drum teacher) being on a UK tour with Sir Cliff Richard! Students will still get the correct amount of lessons from him for this term when he returns to us.

Any questions can be directed towards either Mr Jackson or Mr Robins. Just drop us an email if you need any further info.

New students who would like to start lessons in the near future will receive a letter later this term and have the chance to start in January 2022.