XP Gateshead

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome back! We hope you have had a restful half term break and we look forward to welcoming our students back tomorrow.

Please note that this half term is shorter at 4 weeks. We break up for our Easter Holiday on Friday 27th March and return to school on Monday 13th April. 

Our usual reminders for a good start back…

Punctuality

School opens at 8:00am every morning. Students should arrive between 8:00am and 8:25 am and there are spaces available for socialising, reading or completing extended study. Students must be on site for 8.25am for the call to Crew. 

Daily kit list

As always, students need to bring a school bag with:

• A filled water bottle
• Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, purple pen and glue stick
• A fully charged iPad 
• Their AR reading book (please remember that as part of our reading strategy, we expect all students to read between 20-30 mins. each day)
• Headphones 
• A healthy snack for break (no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks, nut products)
• A notebook

Mobile phones and tech in school

As has always been the case, mobile phones are not allowed to be used in school. Mobile phones should be switched off and in students’ bag all day (not on silent, not in a pocket). Mobile phones can only be used in exceptional circumstances, agreed by a member of staff. Phones will be confiscated from students if they are used during the school day. 

For the few students who bring their own device (home iPad or laptop), this must be done through our school network, not using a hotspot phone connection. 

Here is the link to our acceptable use of ICT policy which all families and students have signed.

Wider tech-use

Personal devices are powerful tools that empower our students to be creative and professional, they also require constant stewardship and clear boundaries to ensure they remain a force for good.

We ask that you remain ever-vigilant regarding your child’s tech use at home not just in terms of e-safety and knowing who they are communicating with and how, but also in fostering healthy habits that prioritise sleep, face-to-face connection, and “switching off”. 

To support these conversations at home, here are some organisations providing expert advice:

• Internet Matters: Provides comprehensive, age-specific guides to help parents keep children safe online, including advice on setting parental controls and managing screen time.
• NSPCC – Online Safety: Offers practical tips on everything from social media and gaming to dealing with online bullying and mental health.
• UK Safer Internet Centre: Offers a wealth of resources including tips, advice, and educational films to help you stay safe online.

Dress code

A reminder that we ask students and staff to dress appropriately and modestly. Please note that for a normal day within school, we do not think it appropriate that students wear:

• Hats, hoods & coats inside school
• Revealing clothing, i.e. revealing the midriff, chest or upper thigh
• Noticeable make-up, including false eyelashes
• Valuable, sentimental or impractical accessories / jewellery. For example heavy chains, thick sovereign rings, or false nails
• Impractical footwear

As is always the case, we ask for your support in upholding our dress code. See link here to full details on our website.

The week ahead

National Careers Week

Students will be taking part in activities connected to careers in Crew this week, including a virtual careers fair. For G30 this will form an important part of their Passage Presentations which includes a section on their future self.

G30 also has expert input from Siemens this week around engineering and G31 and G32 will be looking at roles in the NHS.

You can access a careers guide for families from the organisation behind National Careers Week, which has some really useful information on pathways after students leave XP.

PE this week

• G32 (Year 7) have PE on Monday and Wednesday this week
• G31 (Year 8) have PE on Tuesday this week
• G30 (Year 9) have PE on Thursday.
• G29 (Year 10) have PE on Thursday.
• Due to mocks in Spanish speaking and Art this week, there is no core PE for Year 11.

In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls). 

Extended Study and Clubs

Clubs will all run this week along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. As usual, if a student attends an after school club or extended study session they must attend the full sessions until 4:30pm.

Looking Ahead:

Staff Development Days

A reminder that we have two staff development days this half term; Friday 13th and Monday 16th March. 

G30 Passage Presentations

The slots for passage presentations will be shared with families tomorrow morning. Year 9 students will continue to work hard on their passage presentations this week and next. Please talk to your children at home about how their preparation is going and how they are demonstrating their readiness for GCSEs in sessions too: remember there will be feedback given on quality of reflection, quality of writing, integrity of reflection and organisation of the portfolio of evidence.

• Monday 16th March is a staff day

Year 9 students will be welcome to arrive at school earlier than their passage presentation slot to do final preparations, and then should return home after their presentation. If students do not have a passage presentation on this day, there is no need for them to be in school on Monday 16th March.

• Tuesday 17th March is not a staff day

Year 9 teachers will be involved in passage presentations throughout the day so we will not be running a regular timetable for this day for Year 9 students

 Students can come into school for the regular school hours or work from home where families give permission; we will be setting additional extended study to support students in their expeditions which students can access independently. 

Likewise, if students have a passage presentation on this day, and families give permission, then students can go home following their presentation.

A form will be shared with you this week to complete once you know your child’s Passage slot.

Please note that Tuesday 17th March will be a regular timetable day for all of Year 7, 8 , 10 and Year 11.

Presentations of Learning

Below are the dates for our PoLs (Presentations of Learning) which will all take place before the end of this term (except Year 9 and 10). It is important to note that we expect for every child to have a family member there to support them.

Year 7 HUMAN – Why is it important to honour all those who sacrificed in WWI?

Due to our theatre space being out of use, Year 7’s HUMAN PoL will be streamed live on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm. Students will present in school and you will be able to watch them at home. Look out for more details and the link to join the live stream.

Year 7 STEAM – Is survival sufficient?

Year 7 will also present to experts from Edberts House in the week commencing 23rd March. This is not an event that families attend, students will present their food packages to the workers at Edberts House.

Year 8 – What is Power?

This presentation of learning takes place on Tuesday 24th March at Caedmon Hall, above Gateshead Central Library at 5pm.

Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

This is on Wednesday 15th April in school from 2pm. The Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this – this supports professionals from local government, the charitable sector and public health to attend the event.

Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?

PoL takes place next term on Friday 17th April, at Newcastle Sixth Form College, time to be confirmed.

G28 Teacher Student Learning Conferences (TSLCs)

Our final G28 TSLCs will take place on Wednesday 25th March for class 1 and Thursday 26th March for class 2 students. This will give students  a final opportunity to reflect with their teachers on their latest mocks and readiness for final examinations.

As usual if you have any questions please contact your child’s crew leader in the first instance. 

Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Julie Mosley

Dear Families

This week, Andy Sprakes, our Chief Academic Officer, talked to our Key Stage 3 students about the origins of XP and how it all began.

I think we all feel lucky to be part of a founding team at XPG, but recognise what really makes our school so special are the people and the strength of relationships we build. A school is not a building, a school is a community of children, families and staff. Every week we are thankful for the trust placed in us by you, our families, and for the beautiful work that happens week in – week out:

    “To start a school is to proclaim what it means to be human”

Tom James – EL Education

G32 Gurdwara Fieldwork 

On Thursday 12th February, our Year 7 students visited the  Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha in Newcastle to find out more about Sikhi and how temples operate as part of their expedition ‘Do your bit’. Our students had a fantastic experience which included an Indian classical music lesson, learning about Langar and working in the kitchen to prepare Langar for lunch and a meditation session. We are extremely grateful to our friends at the Gurdwara for giving their time and allowing our students the opportunity to learn more about Sikhi. Our Year 7 students were described as phenomenal, and showed great respect throughout the day.

G31 Fieldwork to The Great North Museum

On Wednesday 11th February, Year 8 students have the opportunity to visit The Great North Museum for a series of talks and workshops to learn about careers and opportunities in Geography and Science. 

Our students participated in an engaging environmental science investigation, working alongside University PhD students and the ‘Time for Geography‘ initiative.

The investigation was structured around three key areas:

1. Natural Hazards and Earth Science: Students used a VR headset to visit Eyifajjolokull in Iceland, allowing them to study natural hazards. They also analyzed rock samples, attempted to construct earthquake-proof infrastructure, and explored the science behind ocean currents and weather patterns.
2. Sustainable City Planning: Working in teams, students were tasked with designing and creating a sustainable city using materials like clay and cardboard. This practical challenge required them to tackle real-world problems, with some teams focusing on mitigating the risk of flooding, while others concentrated on increasing green space within their urban model.
3. Ecology and Biodiversity: The final activity took place in the Great North Museum, where students completed a scavenger hunt among the animal displays to learn more about ecology.

Miss Jamison, Mr Azam, Mrs Evans and Miss Jones were incredibly impressed with G31’s engagement and attitude during the fieldwork despite the horrible weather that dampened our journey to and from the museum! I think G31 is a year group of environmental scientists!

G29 Work with an Expert

On Monday, our Year 10 students met Beverley Smith who talked to them about public debate in advance of their final product and presentation of learning: a set of debates at Newcastle Sixth Form College.  Beyond this expedition we intend to initiate a debate club – a huge appreciation to Eliza in G29 who has been instrumental in getting the ball rolling here.

G28 mock exams 

On Friday our Year 11 students completed their final mock exam. A huge well done to G28 for their approach to mock exams and the commitment and care they show to their work and the work of others. It was great to spend time with them in this week’s community meeting hearing their appreciation for each other. 

The week ahead

G29 Teacher Student Learning Conferences (TSLCs) Tuesday 17th February, 4 -7pm

On Tuesday our Year 10 students will sit alongside their subject teachers to present their learning and share their revision plans and readiness for KS4 exams with families. Last week students made 5 minute appointments with staff to take place across the evening. Please check with you child for the appointments which have been made and the time set for these. We look forward to seeing all G29 families in school on Tuesday.

Experts in school

This week we welcome two experts in school

• On Tuesday, G32 will be working with an expert from the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool who will support students learning of the dazzle camouflage used during wartime, which was also influenced by the futurist art movement.
• On Friday, G29 will be working with Professor Mark Shipley to discuss his work on medical ethics connected to their guiding question “How can we continue to make progress in public health?” With the advent of genetics, artificial intelligence and future bio-robotics , now more than ever it’s important that students consider what progress in public health actually means – in respect to questions not only around “can we do this” to also include “should we do this?”Given the rapid advancements in genetics, artificial intelligence, and future bio-robotics, it is now more crucial than ever for students to critically examine the true meaning of progress in public health. This requires them to consider not only the question of “can we do this,” but equally the question of “should we do this?”

Crew Day – Thursday 19th February

This week we have a Crew Day for all students from Year 7 to Year 11. Each cohort will have a different focus, ranging from .

• G32: How can we strengthen our crew by supporting one another, reflecting on our shared experiences, and working collaboratively to grow as a community? – including further work with Nourish in our kitchen
• G31: How can we combine our individual strengths to create a powerful Crew, ready to influence others and make a difference? – including practical music making together in support of their current expedition and presentation of learning.
• G30 – How can we find the calm within the climb? – Including additional preparation for passage and DofE s that students are well-prepared and able to tackle these challenges in the knowledge that they are ready.
• G29 – How can we, as Crew, make a lasting impact on our community? – Including working to a brief from local partners Great Run focussed on increasing participation from young people.
• G28 – How do we maintain Crew beyond XP Gateshead? – including work with Post-16 partners around healthy prep for GCSEs and readiness for the next steps in their education and training..

We use Crew Days as an opportunity to tend to, challenge and build Crew and return to the principle that: We are crew not passengers, strengthened by acts of consequential service to others.

This time invested reaps dividends not just in terms of strengthening Crews, but also in our wider Culture of Crew which is evident in classrooms on a day to day basis. As we say, If we get crew right, we get everything right’

G29 Into University 

On Thursday, a selection of our students will be visiting the Leonardo Hotel on the Quayside for a Business in Focus session. This event is being run in partnership with Robertson’s, an engineering and construction company. Students will participate in business simulations, taking on various roles such as CEO, Finance Officer, Marketing Manager, and Social Media Manager. This will be a great opportunity for students to have deeper insight into their possible next steps and hopefully make some work experience connections! 

Parents of G29 students who are unsure about their child’s participation should check their inbox for an email from Miss Jones regarding the outstanding consent form.

Students will leave school at 09.30 and return at 15.30.

PE this week

• For G32 students (Y7)
  • G32 Class 1 students have PE on Monday
  • G32 Class 2 students have PE on Wednesday
• G31 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday
• G30 students (Y9) do not have PE due to Thursday’s Crew Day
• G29 students (Y10) and G28 students (Y11) have PE on Monday

Clubs and Extended Study

We will be running after school clubs and extended study this week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week only. No after school clubs or extended study will happen on Tuesday due to G29 TSLCs.

Spring Half Term Break 

Spring half term break starts Friday 20th February. Students will finish school at 3:15pm on Friday not the usual earlier time, this is due to the earlier finish in advance of the recent Staff Day 

We return to school on Monday 2nd March 2026. Please see our 2025/26 Calendar for all holiday dates. 

As usual if you have any questions please contact your child’s crew leader in the first instance. Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Julie Mosley

Principal