There are delays to the metro service. We have prioritised getting Year 7 back to school first. They are expected back to school at around 15.20pm. Year 8-10 will follow respectively, but with staggered arrival times of up to ten minutes between cohorts.
Sharing our Stories: 10/07/2026
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
Crew Irwin attending the ‘We Care’ event @ XP School
Year 9 Sporting Leaders Shine at Owston Sports Day @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
Unlock your child’s musical potential at XP Gateshead!
At XP Gateshead, 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 Admissions 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 Gateshead 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
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/XPGMA
iPad Scheme 2026/27
At XP, we are committed to ensuring that all students have access to the tools and experiences they need to thrive, both academically and beyond the classroom. As part of this commitment, we run an iPad Parent Contribution Scheme, which will place a personal iPad at the heart of each student’s learning journey.
We believe that having an iPad as part of daily school life is an essential part of modern education. It allows students to access resources, complete assignments, collaborate with classmates, and develop digital confidence – all skills that are increasingly expected in further education and future careers.
To make this possible, we are inviting all families to purchase or part-fund an iPad through the school’s supported scheme, which offers discounted pricing, extended warranty, and flexible payment plans to help spread the cost.
iPads are the most incredibly creative and productive device around, with GarageBand, iMovie, all the Adobe apps such as Photoshop and Illustrator and Google productivity applications and other Trust purchased apps available through our scheme included.
The iPad scheme includes:
- iPad – 11th Gen 128Mb
- Combo Touch Keyboard & Trackpad
- Pencil (Skriva)
- Screen Protector
- AcademiaCare for 3 years
- All apps included above
This academic year, 2026/27, we can provide this at a cost of £451 (RRP is £607, not including the price of apps) and parents can spread this cost across up to three years, to pay less than £3 per week.
We are aware that for some families, financial contributions may present challenges. In such cases, we ask that you notify the school on the order form and someone will contact you in confidence to discuss your situation. The school will explore all available avenues to support families in genuine need, but it is important to note that resources are limited and we rely on as much parental contribution as possible to make this scheme viable for all students.
Our aim is that every student has their own device to ensure full access to the digital curriculum, both in school and at home. With the support of our parent community, this approach offers significant benefits for your child’s learning and future opportunities.
To order your device, please fill the form by clicking here.
Applying for a place at XP – Fair Banding Assessment
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.
Find out more here – https://xptrust.info/XPTFBA
G33 Transition – Meet Your Child’s Crew Leader
Thanks to G33 families for attending our event yesterday evening.
A few important reminders:
iPad Scheme
The iPad scheme form will go live tomorrow.
Music Tution Form
To ley us know what your child’s preferences for music tuition are, please click here.
Ullswater Participant Form
To complete the Outward Bound participant form please click here.
Please remember if there are any changes, for example an injury to your child, please log in and change the information on the participant form. To contact the Outward Bound Howtown (on Ullsw centre to inform them of changes to the form you can call: 017684 86272
Here are the slides from the evening:
G29 Watch Along POL Thursday 16th of July
Dear Parents and Carers of G29
As our final in person POL for G29 won’t be held until their performance of Romeo and Juliet in term 1 of the next academic year, we are hosting a watch along of the digital final product they have created during the course of this term.
This is two episodes of the historical TV show they have created ‘An Elizabethan Street Through Time’. This will be posted on the XP YouTube Channel at 4.30pm, and we would love everyone to watch along and leave comments praising the students hard work.
The link to the show will be posted on the day of the watch along.
Many thanks
Team G29
Crew Day – Sports Day Friday 10th July
This Friday is our school sports day for all of our students.
We are delighted to have use of both Gateshead International Stadium and Gateshead College Academy of Sport for our sports day this year, as part of our continued partnership with Gateshead College.
We do not have use of the stands at Gateshead Stadium so unfortunately we are not able to invite families to the event on this occasion.
Students will be travelling to the stadium on foot and via metro. Some students that require reasonable adjustments will travel on our school minibus.
The forecast is clear, sunny and high UV levels. The temperature is expected to peak at 25ºC in the shade. Therefore it is really important that all students have with them:
- Appropriate clothing for sports i.e. their regular PE kit
- A healthy packed lunch
- Sports footwear (not crocs)
- Water Bottle
- Sun hat
- Sun cream
We will be setting off soon after registration and kit check at 8.25am so punctuality is as important as ever.
We are staggering our departure times. G30 and G29 will be last to return to school so they may be back to school at around 15.30pm. We will update our website if there are any delays to our return.
We are looking forward to a great day, where Crews support and challenge each other, pushing themselves in healthy competition between Crews. Winners will be announced on Monday next week.
XPG Staffing Update – Tuesday 7th July
Dear Families
I wanted to write to you to update you on changes in staffing for the next academic year. We are really proud to have a committed Staff Crew. Even in the most dedicated of teams, there will be changes year on year.
At the end of this term we say goodbye to Rebecca Marshall, Charlotte Fielding and Victoria Downes who are leaving XP Gateshead for new adventures.
Rebecca Marshall leaves us to join the maths team at Kingsmeadow School. Rebecca has worked with us for the past 3 years and I’m sure that you will join me in thanking her for all of her high quality work at XP Gateshead as a Mathematics teacher, Crew Leader and STEAM School Faculty Lead.
Charlotte Fielding has decided to leave teaching to explore opportunities in the historical sector, a real passion of hers. Again, I’m sure that you will join me in thanking Charlotte for all of her high quality work at XP Gateshead as a Spanish teacher and Crew Leader.
Victoria Downes has worked with us as a Learning Coach at XPG since we started. She has balanced her time as a children’s author and literacy expert working with schools and communities across the region. She leaves us to continue writing and sharing her beautiful children’s books. I thank Victoria for all the support she has given staff and students over the years.
Over this past half term we have had new staff join our team:
- Gayle Crowder who joins us as a Mathematics Teacher, Crew Leader and Y7 Phase Leader
- Rebecca Denny-Holmes who joins us as a Spanish teacher and Crew Leader
- Helen Chambers who joins our Trust to support Mathematics teachers across all XP schools. Helen will be based at XPG for a lot of her work and will be teaching Mathematics with us.
- Mel Girling has joined us on a permanent basis as a Human teacher and Crew Leader
We have also made some internal leadership appointments this year which will start in the new academic year. Congratulations go to:
- Stephanie Jamison who will be STEAM School Faculty Lead
- Hannah Simpson who will be our HUMAN School Faculty Lead
- Rebecca Jones who will be Leader of Crew across school
- Tom Devitt who will be our Y8/9 Phase Leader
- Emmy Tatters who will be our Y10/11 Phase Leader
- Michelle Ross who joins our Trust team to provide coaching capacity across schools. Michelle will be based at XPG.
The premise of our staffing model at XPG is based on the ‘schools within a school’ concept. We aim to put small teams around students so staff get to know them and their needs so they can provide the highest quality of support and challenge. We have created three phases in school; Y6/7 Phase, Y8/9 Phase and Y10/11 Phase. Staff working within a certain Phase are also a Crew Leader within that Phase so that they are able to work closely with students to produce beautiful work, develop character and ensure academic success. This does mean that there will be teacher and Crew Leader changes across the five years of secondary school but, as a small school, adults get to know students well to ensure every student feels a strong sense of belonging as they move from dependent to independent learner.
Within our phase teams we are developing expertise so that Year 7 Crew Leaders excel in inducting students into our culture and helping them to manage the transition to secondary school, Year 8/9 Crew Leaders are experts in developing independence and strong habits in readiness for Key Stage 4 and Year 10/11 Crew Leaders are well-versed in supporting and challenging students through the rigours and demands of GCSEs and Level 2 courses.
Here are our Phase Teams and Crew Leaders for next year:
Year 7 – Gayle Crowder, Y7 Phase Leader
G33 (Year 7) Crew leaders – Leanne Diamond, Emily Bennet, Sevvandi Rajapakse, Gayle Crowder
Year 8/9 – Tom Devitt, Y8/9 Phase leader
G32 (Year 8) Crews
- Crew Robson – Mel Girling
- Crew Booth – Amy Rawcliffe
- Crew Swan – Tom Devitt
- Crew Hepburn – Joe Allan
G31 (Year 9) Crews
- Crew Shakespeare – Stephanie Jamison
- Crew Windsor – Rebecca Jones
- Crew Pankhurst – Mr Azam
- Crew Curie – Mrs Carter
Year 10/11 – Emmy Tatters, Y10/11 Phase Leader
G30 (Year 10) Crews
- Crew Einstein – Hannah Young
- Crew Kahlo – Tilda Macphail
- Crew Earhart – Emmy Tatters
- Crew darling – Rebecca Denny-Holmes
G29 (Year 11) Crews
- Crew King – Tim Macdonald
- Crew Watson – Katy Horne
- Crew Nightingale – Darren Mead
- Crew Attenborough – Hannah Simpson
New Crew Leaders will be in touch with families to introduce themselves as your first point of contact at XPG.
As we near the end of G32’s first year at XPG, we are proud to reflect on what has been a fantastic, jam-packed year. We are delighted to invite parents and carers to our third and final Presentation of Learning (POL), which will take place in school on Tuesday 14th July, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.
The evening will include a Hosted Gallery Walk, where your children will guide you through images and articles from their current expedition, Hold Back the River, which explores the guiding question: How does water shape our world? Students will share their learning and the knowledge they have gained, giving you an insight into the rigour of our academic curriculum while showcasing the development of their HoWLs (Habits of Work and Learning) – Work Hard, Get Smart and Be Kind – alongside our core character traits of Respect, Courage, Craftsmanship and Quality, Integrity and, above all, Compassion.
The evening will also feature the launch of our students’ published book, What’s the Story of Our Community?, as promised back at our first POL in St Mary’s Church in December. Guests will be welcomed in our theatre space with a glass of spritz and a selection of sweet treats as we come together to celebrate the launch of this very special book showcasing the Beautiful Work of our G32 students. This will be followed by a short keynote speech from local artist, entertainer and friend of XPG, Alfie Joey, before students read selected extracts from the book.
Parents and guests will have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book on the evening using cash, or pre-order and pay in advance via ParentPay (the item will be available from tomorrow), with copies then available for collection on the night. Priced at just £6, the book is a wonderful keepsake that celebrates the students’ hard work, creativity and pride in their learning.
We look forward to welcoming you for what promises to be a memorable evening celebrating the achievements of G32.