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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 2026 and prepared to attend the assessment on 21st November 2026.
At XP, Remembrance is about more than looking back at the past. It is an opportunity for our community to come together, recognise the sacrifices made by others and reflect on the people and animals whose lives have been affected by conflict. This year, our focus was on inclusion, diversity and the message that Remembrance is for everyone.
Across XP School and XP East, students took part in a range of activities to deepen their understanding of Remembrance and explore the different stories that deserve to be remembered.
Exploring the stories behind Remembrance
Each year group explored a different perspective on service and sacrifice within the British Armed Forces. Year 7 learned about the contribution of Sikh soldiers, while Year 8 explored the history of Black servicemen and women. Year 9 focused on the changing roles of women in the Armed Forces, and Year 10 developed their understanding of Black military history, considering how representation has changed over time. Year 11 explored LGBTQ+ voices and experiences within the Armed Forces, including the significance of the changes in the law in 2000.
Through this learning, students recognised that the history of conflict is made up of many different experiences and that there are stories which deserve greater recognition.
Creating a shared symbol of remembrance
One of the most meaningful projects this year was the creation of a collaborative Remembrance sculpture.
Students were invited to consider the question: Who or what would you like your poppy to remember?
Using a handmade wire sculpture, students created individual poppies to add to the sculpture. Each represented an act of remembrance, with students encouraged to include a personal message, name, poem or dedication.
Together, these contributions transformed the figure into a shared expression of appreciation, compassion and hope for peace. Students also explored the meanings behind different coloured poppies, including the purple poppy, remembering animals who have served in war; the black poppy, recognising the contributions of Black, African and Caribbean communities; and the white poppy, representing peace.
Remembering our local history
Remembrance also provided an opportunity to connect national history with our own local community. Students explored the story of the 324 Battery, 94th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, developing their understanding of the experiences of those connected to our local area.
We shared the 2026 National Literacy Trust and Royal British Legion Remembrance Assembly. This year’s assembly explored the importance of community, featuring poetry and contributions from veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and young people. It also provided an opportunity to reflect together and take part in the Two-Minute Silence to mark the Armistice.
Remembrance is for everyone
At XP, we want our students to understand not only the events of the past, but also the human experiences behind them. Through exploring different perspectives, celebrating overlooked contributions and creating something together, our students have reflected on the importance of remembering with empathy, understanding and compassion.
Our Remembrance sculpture stands as a lasting reminder of this shared commitment: remembering those who served, those who sacrificed, and those whose stories deserve to be heard.
It has been a busy and positive few weeks in X33 VTA! We have been working together to decorate our crew wall, helping to create a welcoming space that reflects our crew identity.
We have also been making time to circle up and check in with one another each day, giving students the opportunity to share how they are feeling, listen to one another and strengthen our sense of community.
Alongside this, students have been focused on completing their reading assessments and showing their commitment to developing their reading skills.
In recognition of Remembrance Day, we also got creative by making our own poppies and took part in the whole-school Remembrance Assembly. This gave students an opportunity to reflect, remember and show their respect.
Well done, X33, for another lovely few weeks of teamwork, reflection and learning!
This is to show Crew Rock doing their volunteer work for their Duke of Edinburgh award. It shows a beautiful level of stewardship and shows crews determination to create a beautiful space to learn in.
At XP Gateshead, building strong relationships is at the core of everything we do. By leading a close-knit Crew of just 12-13 students, you will guide their daily character development and ensure they achieve real academic success. It’s about helping young people discover that they can do work that truly matters.
We are looking for passionate individuals who dare to break the traditional educational mould. As a Learning Coach, you won’t just support lessons – you will foster a vital culture of teamwork, equity, and belonging.
Join us in shaping thoughtful, kind individuals who are ready to change the world.
A really touching Crew session with Crew White today.
The students spent time creating their own poppies, taking a moment to reflect on the meaning behind them and the importance of remembering those who have served and sacrificed so much for us.
As they listened to stories of some of our heroes and the hardships, bravery and challenges they endured, it was lovely to see the respect, compassion and thoughtfulness shown by everyone.
A simple but powerful reminder of why we remember, and why it is so important that we continue to share these stories with the next generation.
Day 6 (D6!) will continue this Saturday for our Y11 students!
The session will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It’s a voluntary session where students can access additional support with learning or just have a relaxed space for focused self-study away from potential distractions at home.
Students can come and go as they wish and do not have to stay for the whole session; they’ll just need to sign in and out.
D6 is supported by six Student Coaches – ex-students of XP & XPE—who have returned to provide our current students with peer-to-peer academic study support. Please see two of their bio’s below.
Please encourage Y11s to attend to squeeze in some extra revision time ahead of their mock exams which start in just over a week on November 16th. They’ll see the benefits on results day!
This video was created to support the Core Practice on Passage Presentations and features actual presentations from students from XP Doncaster and XP Gateshead. A huge appreciation to all those students sharing their stories and allowing us to create this piece of work to help future Year 9s shape their own presentations.
