E26 Working Harder and Getting Smarter in English

E26 spent time on Friday learning about what to expect in an English Language GCSE exam. Pupils have been focussing on English Literature skills recently, so this was a great opportunity to revisit some of the work on non-fiction from before Christmas. 

As this was a Component 2 Reading Section walk through mock, pupils initially had to read one text and find key pieces of information quickly. Some pupils find it stressful to work to a tightly controlled time limit so this was a valuable experience to get a real idea of how the timings will work in their GCSEs.

Next, pupils conducted close reading and analysis to find examples of how the writer presented snow positively. Many pupils were pleasantly surprised at the simplicity of writing their responses using the scaffolding provided by the teacher. It was great to hear so many pupils asking how to access the highest marks and the top bands. Many were trying to find nine or more quotations to use in their answer, despite only having fifteen minutes to write it! 

Well done to X26, your effort and focus on this task were a credit to you. Both Mrs Desborough and Mrs Cross are very proud of you!

Storytelling Week

As it is National Storytelling Week we have been encouraging our E29 crews to connect with our history and heritage, whilst embedding literacy skills and building confidence.

We read another short story from our Anchor Text ‘War Girls’ which explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women for ever.

We asked members of Crew Dufton why storytelling is so important and we wanted to share our responses with you; encouraging everyone to discover the world of stories around them.

Why is storytelling important?

‘It lets you learn about different cultures and places without leaving where you are’ – Jacob Topping

It lets you escape to a different world. But it also helps us to build our vocabulary and our confidence in reading and writing’ – Delilah England

‘So we can share each others stories and learn about other people’ – Cora Hatch

Tranquil Tuesday

Y11 GCSE Revision Support

We would like to appreciate everyone who came to our GCSE Support evening. We hope you found the information useful and that you and your son/daughter feel more confident about where and how to access revision support for each subject.

We know there was a lot of information to take in on the night so we have attached the presentation for you to go through again in your own time.

As mentioned at the evening, the GCSE Revision Support website is now live with subject specific resources, links to Y11’s 2023 calendar, our current revision timetable and lots more information for students and parents. Please bear in mind that this is a work in progress with new links and information being added as we speak!

If you do have any more questions, here’s a reminder of who to contact (please include your child’s Crew Leader in any emails you send.)

Citizenship[email protected]
Spanish[email protected]
English[email protected]
Maths[email protected]
Science[email protected]
History[email protected]
BTEC Sport[email protected]
Art, Craft and Design[email protected]

If you have any other questions your feel weren’t covered in the presentation, please contact your child’s Crew Leader or Phase Lead: Angella Parker for XP East ([email protected]) and Mel Cocliff for XP ([email protected])

We’d also like to take this opportunity to say a massive ‘well done’ to all the Y11’s who have completed their Student Led Conferences over the past few weeks. This was their opportunity to reflect on their mock exam grades (which most did with honesty and integrity!) and discuss how they are going to keep focussed and motivated during the next few weeks leading up to exams.

Thank you all for your support.

Angella and Mel.

NEU Teachers Union Strike Days

Hello Parents / Carers

Please check your emails as we have sent our XP East School parents and carers a letter to inform you of the plans we now have in place for our students in relation to the upcoming NEU Teachers Union Strike Action days.

Many thanks for your continued support,

XP East Office

Free Electron Microscope Webinar

Good Morning,

As part of ‘You Give Me Fever’ students have been learning about different microscopes including the electron microscopes which can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds! Sadly we don’t have one!

This week X27 students have looked at onion cells through a light microscope, magnifying up to 400x and making a labeled biological sketch. Here’s an image of what they were looking at!


Next Wednesday students are able to join a free webinar held by Oxford Brookes University. They will be using their electron microscope and explaining how it works, showing images of up to 10,000,000x magnification!

To register for the event, scan the QR code or follow the link below.https://brookes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w0zVUJD-Tbe9XYnxIbjmbA

Y11 GCSE Information Evening

We would like to remind all Y11 parents that we are holding a Y11 GCSE Information Evening at XP East this Thursday, 26th January, 5pm-6:15pm.

This evening will focus on providing information about exam layout/content, exam dates, revision/work required for each exam and component. Subject leads and teachers will also be around if you have any questions. 

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Mel & Angella

Crew Da Vinci- Lost property (DOFe Stewardship)

As part of our DOFe award we are making sure that we are stewards of our community. This morning we went through the lost property from last week.

If anyone recognises any of these things then please ask at the XPE office!

Many thanks Crew Da Vinci 🙂

Extra Curricular This Week

Another busy week of sport coming up for our XP and East students,

Wednesday 25/1/23- Badminton Club- 3:30-4:30- All welcome

Thursday 26/1/23- KS3 Badminton Finals- 3:15-5:00- Team sheet up on Tuesday

Also on Thursday- KS3 Girls Football V Ridgewood @ Home- 3:15-4:30- Team sheet up Tuesday.

Any questions please contact Mr Stables.