XP East

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We are pleased to announce and confirm that, after long and difficult discussions with the Outward Bound team, Year 8 (C27) will be finally attending an Outward Bound experience in the first weeks back next term. As the Outward Bound Centres are not at full capacity, due to COVID restrictions, and staffing the centres is difficult in the current climate it has meant that they can only offer us very limited access at the start of next term and beyond. Therefore, the proposal is that the arrangements change slightly for Year 8 at the start of next term to ensure they have an Outward Bound experience as follows:

• • Year 8 XP will visit the Outward Bound Centre in Aberdovey Wales on  (Tuesday August 31 to Friday September 3, 2021)
  • Year 8 XPE will attend school as normal in the first week back which will focus on crew activities.

• Year 8 XPE will then visit the Outward Bound Centre in Ullswater on the second week back (Monday 6 September to Thursday 9 September)

• Year 8 XP will resume normal lessons in the second week back (Monday 6 September to Thursday 9 September)

Whilst the changing of dates does cause some difficulties for us logistically in school, we are committed to overcoming them to ensure that Year 8, after a year long, pandemic disrupted wait can finally enjoy an Outwards Bound experience in their crews!

Further details will follow before the end of term.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support in these difficult and unprecedented times.

In crew

Andy Sprakes

After the summer break and the first week back to school (Wednesday 1st September), the students will be having specific Year group activities. To ensure students are supported correctly and staff can manage and care for medical conditions the attached Google Form is requested to be filled in by those parents of students with medical conditions especially if students take their medication at school.

Please ensure Inhalers, Epi-pens and other prescribed medications are sent into school with the child’s name and expiry date clearly visible. 

The Google form is required to be filled in and then press send. This then gives staff consent to administer medication and for it to be kept on school premises. 

Any issues, please contact Miss Mawby via email [email protected]

Thank you!

It is with regret that we have to inform parents and students in our new Year 7 (C28) next year that the Outward Bound experience to Aberdovey in Wales has been postponed. I know this will be disappointing but the decision has been taken out of our hands. We have been in ongoing discussions with the Outward Bound Trust and have explored numerous options but as the Outward Bound Centres are not at full capacity, due to COVID restrictions, and staffing the centres is difficult in the current climate this means they can only offer us very limited access at the start of next term.

Visiting Outward Bound and exploring the idea of crew is very important to establishing a positive culture at our schools. As such we are determined to ensure that at some point in the next school year, probably in the spring/summer term, we will be able to reschedule this most important experience. 

On a positive note, even though we are not visiting an Outward Bound Centre at the start of the year, staff have already been working hard on an alternative experience for students in the first week back which will involve challenges and opportunities for students to build strong bonds and positive relationships in their crew and their year group. Further details regarding the first week back will follow before the end of term.

Finally, whilst the new school year won’t start as we would have hoped and expected, we are still looking forward to seeing you at the start of next term as you make the first steps in your exciting journey at XP and XP East.

With my very best wishes

Andy Sprakes

Please note that on the last day of this term, Friday 16th July 2021, the school will be closing for all students at 1:30pm after Crew. This is for staff to prepare for the new term. There will not be any provision for students to stay after this time so all students need to be collected or have left the school.

Many thanks

XP Office

Unfortunately we have had to cancel Sports day on Friday 9th July. Therefore lessons will run as normal. Hopefully we will be able to run sports day in the next academic year.

Students please can you still bring a packed lunch for the day.

Any questions please ask crew leaders.

Thanks Team PE

We have been notified today that a student has tested positive for Covid19 in Y10/E24, and after liaising with the Public Health England helpline, we have been able to identify 12 students who now need to self isolate until Tuesday 13th July – returning to school on Tuesday 13th July.

The helpline advised me that the year bubble can remain OPEN, and that further positive cases in the year bubble would require additional advice from PHE.

We have either emailed, spoken to or left voicemail messages to all concerned, and I have also contacted the year group to reassure them that if I haven’t contacted them directly they should come to school as normal.

We will now move to a hybrid educational provision where students will be taught in class and at home at the same time – we have become adept at this style of approach due to the issues that we have faced throughout the pandemic.

All students should continue to take the Lateral Flow Tests that school have provided every Sunday and Wednesday. With regards to Y10 students, we recommend undertaking this as a priority tomorrow morning at the latest.

I understand that the student in question is feeling poorly, but is doing well.

Best wishes,

Jamie Portman

Sports day will take place on Friday 9th July.

Please can all students ensure they come to school in their PE kit. They will need:

– A packed lunch

– Water bottle

– Suncream

Any questions please direct them to crew leaders.