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.
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!
This week, Year 8 students at XP were given an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in their new expedition with a visit from professional artist Michelle Clarke Stables (MC Stables).
Michelle worked with all Year 8 groups, bringing energy, expertise, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live and work as an artist. She inspired students by sharing her personal journey and creative story, showing that art is not just about making something beautiful—it’s about expressing the human experience.
One of the highlights of the day was when Michelle introduced her original artwork and a powerful sculpture titled Entrapment. This piece explores themes of fear, anxiety, and the barriers we sometimes create for ourselves, sparking deep conversations among students about how art can communicate emotion and connect with audiences in powerful ways.
Students also had the rare chance to closely examine Michelle’s original pieces. This hands-on immersion gave them valuable insight into materials, processes, and the layered thinking that goes into creating professional artwork.
The workshops challenged Year 8 to explore expressive mark-making, colour, and words in new ways—laying a strong foundation for their expedition learning. By experiencing art firsthand, students began to see how creativity can give voice to complex ideas, emotions, and stories.
Michelle’s visit has raised the profile of Art across the school, showing students that the subject is not only about developing skills, but also about asking questions, telling stories, and making meaning. She has kindly donated, on loan, some of her pieces to be exhibited within the XP and XPE community which will enrich the arts experience for the whole school; its staff, students, parents and our visitors.
The buzz in classrooms following her sessions has been undeniable, and it’s clear her visit will leave a lasting impression on our budding artists.
“Michelle inspired our artwork in class. I enjoyed that we were able to express ourselves freely through the marks we made. I think it’s good to have authentic artwork around the school. I added XPs Character traits to my own work.” – Jensen E31
What a wonderful start to the year with C31. I’m looking forward to seeing how their work progresses!
Morning from the not so sunny hills of Stockbridge, students have began there journey and are in great spirits. Heading for a memory filed 3 days see you on the other side
The survey closes on Monday 15th September 2025 at 09:00a.m.
We would also very much appreciate your support in sharing the survey more widely through your communication methods/websites/social media etc
The survey will help us to understand the childcare needs across Doncaster moving forward and support the production of our Annual Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.
Thank you in advance
Why and How do we need this information and why is it so important?
So we can better understand opinions and perspectives of parents.
To make improvements in Learning Environments.
To spark discussions with parents
To improve family retention and lower vacancy rates.
To highlight areas requiring improvement
To provide opportunities for recognition, motivation and empowerment
C30 students during the first week back took part in a colour run hosted on the back field to raise money for Diabetes UK and Age UK. The event was a huge success and all students involved gave it a 100% effort whilst having fun and laughter. Thank you to all the staff, students and parents for their support.
This week has been an exciting one for Crew SLE as they have settled into life at XP and begun their journey in Year 7. Starting secondary school is a big step, but our crew have already shown just how ready they are to rise to the challenge.
From day one, Crew SLE have impressed us with their positivity, teamwork, and willingness to get stuck in. They have embraced the routines of XP with enthusiasm, supporting one another as they find their feet and learn what it truly means to be part of crew.
We have been particularly proud of how quickly friendships are forming and how kind and considerate they have been to each other. Whether it’s helping a classmate find their way, showing resilience in new learning, or contributing to thoughtful discussions, Crew SLE have already begun to live out our values of respect, courage, and compassion.
It has been wonderful to see the confidence of individuals grow throughout the week. Each member of Crew SLE has brought something unique to the group, and together they are already building a strong, supportive community.
We are so excited to see what the rest of the term will bring. If this week is anything to go by, Crew SLE are going to have a fantastic year ahead at XP!
Crew MNO had a fantastic start to year 7, completing the first week away at Outward bound in Ullswater!
Crew MNO demonstrated the XP character traits every day, encouraging and supporting each other to complete different activities ensuring to show compassion at all points in the week. We did activities such as abseiling and jog and dip which all of crew LOVED, they really threw themselves into all of the activities even ones they were unsure about, showing extreme courage.
I’m really proud of crew and how they conducted themselves throughout the trip last week and I can’t wait to see how they grow as a crew throughout year 7 and the rest of their time at XP !!!!!!!
Crew Kelly had an amazing first week back in school!
On Tuesday we revisited our Crew norms, reflecting on why Crew matters, and in the afternoon participated in a mini game of 99 to Beat with the rest of C29. On Wednesday, we headed into Doncaster town centre for an A–Z challenge, explored key landmarks and uncovered interesting facts about our city. Crew Kelly fully immersed themselves into the tasks with enthusiasm and team work.
As we move into Key Stage 4, we know the year ahead will bring big challenges, but judging by the way Crew Kelly have returned – with such positivity and commitment – it’s clear that they are ready to take it on and succeed.
Well done Crew Kelly, I can’t wait to see you all flourish in KS4!
This week marked an exciting milestone for Year 7 at XP: their very first immersion week in lessons and the launch of their expedition,This Land is Your Land. The guiding question is, “What’s the story of our community?”
Students have worked as historians, piecing together evidence and time-travelling through four key periods of history:
Medieval
Early Modern
Industrial
Modern
Each lesson gave them a snapshot of how people lived, worked, and shaped the world around them. Together, they began to see how the past connects to the story of our community today.
Immersion also included fieldwork to Murton Park, where students stepped into the past to experience Viking history first-hand. Immersion week has given Year 7 a strong start: asking questions, working as a crew, and beginning to think like historians. We’re excited to see where their expedition journey takes them next.
See photos from the week below! Some scary Vikings in XP Year 7!
