Applying for a place at XP – Fair Banding Assessment

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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 2025 and prepared to attend the assessment on 22nd November 2025.

Find out more here: https://xptrust.info/XPTFBA

If your child has an aptitude in music, find out how to apply for a musical aptitude place at XP here: https://xpschool.org/unlock-your-childs-musical-potential-at-xp-school/

Unlock your child’s musical potential at XP School!

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At XP School, we believe music has the power to inspire and shape young minds. Each year, we offer a unique opportunity for children with a natural flair for music to gain a place in Year 7 through our dedicated Musical Aptitude route. 

Whether your child already sings or plays an instrument, or simply has a keen ear for rhythm, melody, and pitch, this pathway recognises raw musical potential. 

With access to expert tuition, vibrant performance opportunities, and a culture that celebrates creativity, XP School is the perfect stage for your child to flourish musically and academically. Click here to see highlights from our recent annual XP Festival of Arts and Culture https://youtu.be/-tcB979lD_g

Apply now, and don’t miss this chance to join a learning community where talent is nurtured and passion takes centre stage!

Find out more here: https://xptrust.info/XPMA

WC 22/09/25 In PE

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What a great week we have had this week in PE. The netball team had there first netball game. Year 8 and 9 team travelled to Hungerhill. Despite their defeat the girls showed great dedication and team work for their first game back.

Later on the week we had our student leaders supporting with the XP student showcase, the students where brilliant and represented everything we do in PE. Super proud of those students.

Coming up this week;

Wednesday 3:15 – 4:30pm Netball and boys football practice

Thursday 3:15 – 4:30pm Cheerleading. Girls football practice starts this week.

Friday – Year 11 National cup game @home finishing around 5pm

X32- Crew ABT

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X32 Crew ABT have been looking at “Identity” on Wise Wednesday and unpicking what makes us who we are and to Respect each and everyone’s individuality.

As a Crew, It was great to see the students talk about their identity and be proud of who they are and that they feel confident to share this information with their Crew family and feel safe in doing so.

C28 Staff Crew!

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C28’s staff spent an hour on a lovely sunny staff day being stewards of our community by doing a litter pick around lakeside. We always say what’s good for our students is good for us so we also cleared the car park area around the gate. To help us keep this area looking beautiful could parents please remind students to keep their rubbish in bags/pockets until they find a bin.

Thank you for your continued effort supporting our school.

C29’s Festive Presentation of Learning!

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We’re thrilled to invite you to C29’s Presentation of Learning on Monday 8th December, 4:00–5:30pm.

This special event is a chance for our students to showcase the beautiful work they’ve created during their expedition, as well as the acts of kindness they’ve carried out along the way. It promises to be an afternoon filled with creativity, compassion, and community spirit.

The POL promises to be a festive celebration, filled with inspiring stories of learning and kindness, a vibrant showcase of student work, and plenty of holiday cheer to kick off the season.

So, dust off your Christmas jumper, pop some bells on, and join us for an afternoon of joy and celebration. Let’s come together to recognise the hard work, generosity, and festive spirit of C29.

Date: Monday 8th December
Time: 4:00 – 5:30pm
Location: XP School
Dress code: Christmas jumpers encouraged – the more festive, the better!

We can’t wait to see you there!

C29 team

Sharing our Stories: 19/09/2025

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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

Reception: Crew champion music makers @ Green Top

Demonstrating the character trait courage @ Plover

Bye-bye litter! @ Carcroft School

First week back – CREW CHIPS @ XP

Star of the week @ XP East

Rain or shine: Learning outside every time @ Norton Infants

G28 morning fitness, breakfast, revision! @ XP Gateshead

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at comms@xptrust.org –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Crew Chips – praises update

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All members of the crew had picked up praises this week for their efforts in class.

Eoghan and Annabelle led the way with 9 praises this week.

Laura – 7

Bentley – 1

Michael – 7

Seth – 5

Dylan – 7

Rosie – 7

James – 3

Oliver – 5

Grzegorz – 7

Oskar – 4

Jade – 7

Keep up the good work, you are doing amazing

Crew ABT – X32’S Journey from Outward bound to Crew !

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In their first few weeks back from outward bound, our students have shown just how powerful the experience was. The challenges they faced-climbing, canoeing, supporting each other-helped them form strong bonds. Back at XP we have seen that same spirit carry on. Students are looking out for one another, working as a crew, and living out “Be Crew, Not Passengers” every day. Were so proud how they’ve brought those lessons into schooling can’t wait to see their journey continue.

Crew Attenborough FWB

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Crew Attenborough – First Week Back Adventure!

What a fantastic start to the new term for Crew Attenborough! This week, we laced up our trainers and headed out on the scenic Monsal Trail in Sheffield for a full school day of adventure, fresh air, and teamwork.

The highlight of the day had to be trialling the very first XP Colour Run – a burst of colour, laughter, and energy that left everyone smiling (and very messy!). It was amazing to see the crew cheering each other on, pushing through the challenge, and celebrating at the finish line in a cloud of bright colours.

To balance the excitement, we also spent time practising some mindfulness activities. It was the perfect chance to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the beautiful surroundings before heading back to school.

It was a brilliant day to reconnect as a crew, kick off the year with positivity, and make some unforgettable memories together.

Crew Lovelace – Year 10: Off to a Flying Start!

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Crew Lovelace have had an absolutely amazing start to the term! It’s been fantastic to see everyone settling back into routines and showing real maturity, dedication and focus as we dive into Year 10.

Of course, we all make the occasional slip-up along the way, but what’s been even more impressive is how Crew Lovelace are owning their choices and putting things right with maturity and responsibility. That’s the mark of real growth, and it makes me incredibly proud to be their Crew Leader. 🌟

A special shout out to our top 3 praises this week: Aylish, Sara and Martha! Your hard work and attitude are shining through, keep it up!

There have been lots of positives across the whole crew, so keep an eye out for future blog posts where we’ll continue to celebrate all the brilliant things happening in Crew Lovelace. 💛