E30 Pioneer – Working Hard and Getting Smart

E30 Pioneer have really engaged with our current anchor text ‘Lord of the Flies’. This week after reading chapter 3 they considered whether the island is a utopia or a dystopia. We explored the etymology of the words and offered their own opinions and definitions.

Then we looked closely at an extract about the den/shelter that Simon finds in the jungle. The students were tasked with finding evidence to support the statement that this place was Simon’s utopia. They then used this evidence in some analysis.

Many of the comments and inferences offered really considered the implications of being on an island free from structures and rules and how this would affect people in different ways.

Some very impressive work and superb focus. Well done guys!

Mrs Desborough

C29 Presentation of Learning

Good Morning parents,

Year 9 will be presenting their learning for their expedition “You give me fever” on Wednesday 16th April, 4:15 – 5:45.

This is a whole year 9 event in which your child will be showcasing their learning in a health conference. It is an integral part of XP culture for students to have this opportunity and is crucial to their development in school and afterwards therefore attendance is, as ever, compulsory. 

If you or your child is unable to attend please contact the crew leader who will let us know. If there are any students absconding from POL they will be expected to present to a group of peers and staff in school. 

Thanks for your support.

Save the date! Year 9 C29 Presentation of Learning

Dear Parents and Carers,

Year 9 Presentation of Learning: A Focus on Health – 16th April at 4:15pm

We are excited to announce that the Year 9 Presentation of Learning (POL) will be held on 16th April the first Wedensday after Easter! This event is a key milestone for our students, offering them the opportunity to showcase their hard work and learning over the past term.

The students have been working diligently to explore various aspects of health through studying the history GCSE topic ‘The People’s Health’.

On the day of the POL, students will present their findings, insights, and personal reflections on different areas of health.

We look forward to seeing you then,

The Year 9 Team

Tomorrow’s fieldwork E28

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Friday 28th February 2025, E28 (Y10) will be taking part in fieldwork at the National Holocaust Museum. This fieldwork has been planned to support their learning as part of the ‘Nature Vs Nurture’ expedition where students will be answering the Guiding Question: ‘Are We Really Free To Choose?’.

We will depart school at 9.15am and our expected arrival time back at school is around 3.15pm.  We will provide updates on our expected arrival time back at school via the school website as this can be impacted by events out of our control such as traffic.

Students will need a packed lunch for this fieldwork. If your child is in receipt of free school meals, a lunch will be provided.

In addition to a packed lunch, students will need the following equipment:
-Pen
-Water Bottle

If you have any questions about this fieldwork, please contact me [email protected], or get in touch with your child’s crew leader.

With thanks,

Sarah Hannam
XP Trust History Lead

E29 Explorer tackling big questions in HUMAN

E29 Explorer has worked so hard this week! In History we have been studying key time periods regarding migration and analysing trends through historical enquiries. We finished a fantastic week, sat in the sunshine reading our anchor text Boy Everywhere this afternoon. Students shared discussions around the treatment of migrants, the harrowing descriptions of journeys made to a safer space, and did so with the most remarkable compassion. What a week!

E29 (Y8) Explorer – Working Hard during Immersion and Creating their own Countries!

Year 8 have been working exceptionally hard since their POL on Wednesday night! They have started immersion for their new expedition by researching and designing their own countries through a Citizenship lens. Students discussed key international organisations, grappled with existing forms of government and even wrote their own national anthems. Explorer then voted on the country they would most like to migrate too.. watch the video to find out our Winner!

Explorering Science in year 8

8 Explorer took some time out of their Art sessions last week to work on some Physics content. They took to the tennis courts to explore a range of hypotheses based around speed. It turns out that running was scientifically proven to be faster than cartwheeling. Check out Cody trundling along below.

E29 Celebratory Breakfast

Students of E29 were invited to attend a celebratory breakfast during crew time for the effort they have put into their recent Student Led Conferences.
As Crew Leaders we were really impressed with how far they all have come from last year. The dedication and improvement has not gone unnoticed. How could we not do something to show how proud we all are of them!
E29 Crew Leaders 

E29 gathering

This morning during Crew time E29 gathered as a year group to wish our fellow Crew member goodbye and good luck. Ryan will leave a big gap in our year group, and in XP School but we wish him well as his family re-locate to sunny Cornwall.

Whilst doing a whip around to describe Ryan, a few words or phrases came up on many occasions such as ‘funny’ ‘kind’ ‘makes class fun’ ‘energetic’ ‘great guy’ ‘brightens up our day’ Those things sum Ryan up to a tee. How he has grown in strength and character during his time here is remarkable and I’m sure he will apply those skills and qualities in his new school. Crew will feel so different without him, a valued member of our family missing, but we will be sure to keep in touch.

Go show Cornwall all those wonderful character traits we see every day Ryan. See you in the summer for a pasty!

Photo 1 this morning, photo 2 our Crew and photo 3 our Crew on your induction days in July 2022. How you have all changed and grown.

Mrs Fowler, Crew white, E29.