Weekly Update for Families – W/C Monday 2nd November 2026 

By Julie Mosley1st November 2026

Dear Families

Welcome back after what I hope has been a restful and safe half term holiday.

We are looking forward to seeing all of our students back this week, raring to go and ready to continue their hard work on current expeditions.

As always, a return to school gives us all the opportunity to make a strong start in terms of getting into good habits and being organised. I would like to remind everyone of the importance of punctuality, attendance and being fully prepared for learning and ask for your support in this to make sure that all of our students are getting it right.

Punctuality

All students need to be in school for an 8.30am start so they must arrive by 8.25am at the latest. A minority of students were regularly late for school last half term which impacted on the learning of others (staff and students). Please talk to your child about their punctuality and ensure that they are arriving on time every day. 

Attendance

At XPG we celebrate attendance and will support those students and families who need to improve their attendance. Snapshots will be shared with you this half term which include attendance information and Crew Leaders will be talking with students and their families  about how important attendance is to academic achievement and success in school.

We all understand that school attendance is vital to the life chances of young people and that being in school improves health, wellbeing and socialisation throughout life. We will continue to work hard on attendance and punctuality this half term and will be in contact with families where this is a concern and put supportive improvement plans in place.

As the winter approaches, we are all more susceptible to mild respiratory illnesses including general cold symptoms. It is usually appropriate for parents and carers to send their children to school at these times but it can be tricky making these decisions. The following NHS guidance includes information which may be useful – NHS ‘Is my child too ill for school?’ guidance.

Please share any worries you have around attendance or punctuality with your child’s Crew Leader. 

Being organised

As always, students need to bring a school bag every day with the following items

  • A filled water bottle
  • Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser and pencil sharpener
  • A fully charged iPad
  • Headphones – ideally not expensive ones
  • A healthy snack for break (no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks, nut products)
  • A notebook
  • A reading book (e-reader book, school library book or book from home)
  • A gluestick
  • A purple biro pen
  • A highlighter pen

Please make sure your son/daughter is fully equipped for learning and contact us if there are any problems.

Our week ahead 

Working with experts and fieldwork this week 

G32 – What does it mean to be human?

G32 will have sessions with our friends and experts at The Dialogue Society this week. The sessions will be in the format of a seminar and workshop connected to our curricular seam of cultivating diversity and belonging, through the unique perspective of the Life of a Chickpea.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service 

On Tuesday we have experts from the Fire Service joining all students to give important fire safety briefings as part of our safeguarding work at XPG, especially important in the week leading up to celebrations around 5th November and Bonfire Night. 

G33 – Beamish Fieldwork, Thursday 5th December

This visit will provide an authentic and immersive learning experience, supporting students’ studies of the Industrial Revolution and the importance of coal in shaping life in the Northeast. The workshops will encourage speaking, listening, and historical investigation, helping students make meaningful connections between their Human studies and their work in STEAM where students have been building on their understanding of state changes and learning how learning how George Stephenson applied these principles to experiment with the development of steam engines and machinery that powered the Industrial Revolution. The visit will allow them to see these concepts in action and understand how scientific innovation transformed industry and everyday life.

Students must arrive at school by no later than 8:25am as usual, and we will depart after Crew at 9:15am. We expect to return to school by 4:45pm.

Equipment and clothing:
Students should bring the following items in a backpack:

  • Filled water bottle
  • Pencil case with pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, notebook, and reading book
  • Comfortable shoes and a waterproof jacket, as much of the day will be spent outdoors and the forecast currently indicates a risk of light showers.
  • No iPads are needed for this visit.

A healthy packed lunch will be required. For students entitled to a free school meal, a packed lunch can be provided by school. 

PE sessions this week

Our PE sessions this week are as follows. Please ensure that your child has their  full PE kit.

  • All G33 students (Year 7) have PE on Wednesday.
  • All G32 students (Year 8) have PE on Thursday.
  • All G31 students (Year 9) have PE on Tuesday.
  • All G30 students (Year 10) have PE on Wednesday.
  • For G29 students (Year 11) 
    • Class 1 have PE on Thursday
    • Class 2 have PE on Friday.

Extended Study and Clubs

Our clubs will all run this week along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. There is no cheerleading club after school on Monday this week due to a whole staff meeting at the start of a new half-term.

Important dates for your diaries 

G29 mock exams

Our Year 11 students will have their mock exams this month – the mock timetable can be found here.

Presentations of Learning (PoLs) this term:

  • G33’s PoL will be on the evening of Tuesday 15th December 2026 at St Mary’s Church in Heworth from 4.30pm until 5.45pm. 
  • G32’s PoL will be held on the evening Thursday 10th December in school at 4.30pm.  .
  • G31’s PoL will take place on the evening of Tuesday 1st December at the Farrell Centre, Newcastle University Campus from 3:30pm until 5:30pm. 
  • G30’s PoL will be held on Wednesday 9th December 2026 in school at 4.30pm. 
  • G29’s PoL will take be held in school on Thursday 3rd December at 4.30pm

We will post more details for each of these Presentations of Learning over the coming weeks, in separate posts for each learning expedition.

PoLs are used as an opportunity for students to showcase their learning from their most current learning expedition. PoLs enable students to grow their character and further embed their learning through presenting their work in front of a range of authentic audiences and in a variety of contexts. We expect for every child to have a family member there to support them at a PoL.

As usual if you have any questions about your son or daughter please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance or email general enquiries to [email protected].

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

Julie Mosley

Reminder: Applying for a place at XP Secondary Schools – Fair Banding Assessment

21st October 2026Geoff Hewitt

To ensure a balanced intake of students across all ability levels, all applicants to an XP secondary school must sit a Fair Banding Assessment. Completing the assessment is a key part of the application and must be done to be considered for a place.

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.

Key Dates:

  • Registration Deadline: 31st October 2026
  • Assessment Date: 21st November 2026

Find out more and complete your registration here:https://xptrust.info/XPTFBA

G29 GCSE Information evening

By Martin Said16th October 2026

Thanks to all those families that came to the GCSE information evening for Year 11 yesterday evening.

Here are the slides that were shared yesterday evening as part of our information evening.

The November mock timetable can be found here.

The final summer GCSE exam timetable can be found here.

 

 

G31 9.1 Presentation of Learning 

16th October 2026Rebecca Jones

A reminder that G31’s first POL of the academic year will be at the Farrell Centre on Newcastle University’s campus on the evening of Tuesday 1st December from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. We understand that the timing may be challenging for some parents due to the earlier start time. This is because the Farrell Centre is a public building that must close after the POL.

The POL also includes a walking tour by our students through Newcastle upon Tyne, exploring community buildings and how physical structures impact community relationships.

If you think you might struggle with any aspect of the POL, whether the timing, location, or walking tour, please contact your child’s crew leader as soon as possible so adjustments can be made.

G29 end of half term blog post

By Emmy Tatters16th October 2026

What a fantastic half term it has been for G29!
Our Year 11 students have hit the ground running this term, demonstrating maturity and focus as they prepare for the vital year ahead. We kicked off the term with a series of crew activities and a brilliant visit to Whickham Thorns, where students engaged in challenges designed to help them reconnect with their crews and reinforce that we can achieve anything when our crew has our back.
Out and about on fieldwork, students visited the Victoria Tunnels to deepen their contextual understanding, Geographers completed their second compulsory fieldwork and RS students visited a Mosque. A select group of students participated in a pioneering ‘Scaffolding for Schools’ course, developing practical industry skills and representing our school brilliantly.
In school, our students have been taking big strides toward their qualifications:
  • English Language Speaking & Listening: Students have completed their spoken language examinations, demonstrating impressive public speaking skills, preparation, and confidence. The confidence shown and the questions asked demonstrated great compassion and support for each other.
  • Art & Photography Critique Gallery: Students showcased their creative work in a critique gallery, taking pride in their progress and offering constructive feedback to their peers.
  • Open Evening Ambassadors: A special thank you goes to the students who supported our recent Open Evening—especially those incredible individuals who have volunteered to support every single Open Evening since the start of Year 7! Your dedication to our school community is inspiring.
  • Spanish Speaking Mocks: Congratulations to the students who completed their Spanish Speaking mocks this week; it requires courage to speak in a second language and you all did great. Remember, if you need to build more confidence around this, you can practice with Miss Denny-Holmes on Friday lunchtimes.

Preparing for Mocks & Important Updates

Looking ahead, mock exams are just around the corner. Please refer to the Mock Exam Timetable that was shared at the end of September.
As students begin their revision schedules, it is crucial that they balance revising for mocks with proper rest and rejuvenation. GCSE preparation is a marathon, and taking time to recharge, step away from study materials, and enjoy time with family and friends is essential for maintaining well-being and peak performance.
Please Note: There is a date change for our Presentation of Learning (POL). Updated details and timings will be communicated via Crew Leaders shortly. This will now take place on Thursday 3rd December.

Free Local Activities for the Holidays

If you are looking for ways to unwind over the break, here are some great, free activities available across Newcastle and Gateshead:

We return to school on Monday 2nd November 2026. 

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance. Have a restful, safe, and well-deserved holiday break!

G30 End of half term blog post

By Emmy Tatters16th October 2026

What a fantastic half term it has been for G30!
Our students have settled brilliantly into Key Stage 4, making great starts to their new GCSE subjects. Across classrooms, we have seen excellent focus and determination as they take on the step-up in expectations. A key part of this term has been helping students look towards their next steps and post-16 pathways.
A real highlight was the 1:1 interviews conducted with external professionals. Aligning with their career interests, these sessions gave students the opportunity to put their public speaking and interview skills to the test. The feedback from our visiting professionals was glowing—praising our students for being articulate, confident, thoughtful, and authentic. It was wonderful to see so many proud, smiling faces as they completed their interviews!
In our Learning Expeditions, students have started exploring our new guiding question: “How do we know that bonds help us forge a strong legacy?” We are examining this theme through multiple lenses—from chemical bonds in Science, to social and moral bonds in A Christmas Carol and 19th-century literature, to historical connections during the Viking age. The POL for this expedition will be ‘A Night at the Museum’. An event where students will give illuminating lectures on the real viking artefacts they have seen and handled, alongside their museum cafe, where they will serve an ‘A Christmas Carol’ inspired afternoon tea. This will take place on Wednesday 9th of December. 
Beyond the classroom, our students continue to model what it means to take responsibility for their own learning and community:
  • Open Evening Success: A big thank you to the number of G30 students who offered great support during our recent Open Evening, acting as brilliant ambassadors for our school.
  • Art & Photography Catch-Up: It’s been fantastic to see a dedicated group of students regularly attending Thursday and Friday catch-up sessions for Art and Photography, taking clear ownership of their progress.
  • Extended Study: Students are building really positive, consistent habits around their Extended Study completion, ensuring they are retrieving key knowledge and getting organised early in their GCSE journey.
  • Thomas Hepburn Memorial: Congratulations to the students who represented the school at the annual Thomas Hepburn Memorial event on Saturday.

Holiday Rest & Local Activities

As we reach the break, we want to emphasise the importance of rest and rejuvenation. Key Stage 4 is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking time to recharge, step away from screens, and spend quality time with family and friends is essential for coming back refreshed for next term.
If you are looking for things to do over the holidays, here are a few free activities available in the Newcastle and Gateshead area:

We return to school on Monday 2nd November 2026. 

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout this half term. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance. Have a restful and safe holiday!

Sharing our Stories: 16/10/2026

16th October 2026Geoff Hewitt

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

Year 1’s Burning Ambitions! @ Green Top

2P are Scientists @ Plover

LKS2 Fieldwork Trip to Eden Camp @ Carcroft School

Crew MNO Bake Off @ XP

Wise Wednesday @ Norton Infants

Authors, illustrators and now educators! @ Norton Juniors

Weekly update @ XP Gateshead

C33 engage with Bayeux Tapestry live @ XP East

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 [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

National Film Competition – open to all students

By Martin Said13th October 2026

Is your child passionate about film? Who can tell a good story, create animations, or are budding actors? Then the Childnet Film Competition could be the perfect opportunity your child to use their creativity to inspire change!

The theme for this year’s competition is: Reflect on tech: How can you take control of your digital wellbeing?

Young people aged 7-18 can submit films up to 2 minutes in length with a focus on digital wellbeing. There are a range of free resources available in the competition pack to help your young people create an award-winning film.

Download the Competition Pack and see more details on their blog post.

The judging panel is made up of experts from the TV and film industry rank our final three in each age category, with finalists then invited to an awards ceremony in London. At this exciting event, they can see their film on the big screen and hear from fellow finalists as well as industry experts.

Childnet are not looking for professional or polished films, with those that are creative and including great educational messaging being most impactful within their setting.

Upcoming local community events in East Gateshead

By Martin Said13th October 2026

Fewster Square Outdoor Community Market – Launching 16th October 2026

Embells Community Support Project is expanded their Community Market offer and is launching a pop-up outdoor community market in Fewster Square. This will enable more people to access affordable food and household products and provide more variety with a number of local traders involved.

The market will take place 10:00 – 14:00, monthly and the dates for 2026 are;

  • Friday 16th October
  • Friday 13th November
  • Friday 11th December (Christmas Market)

Gateshead Volunteer Recruitment Fair Returns for 2026

The Gateshead Volunteer Recruitment Fair 2026 will take place on Tuesday 13 October, 10am-1pm at Gateshead Leisure Centre, Alexandra Road, NE8 4HU.

Organised by Gateshead Volunteer Centre, powered by Connected Voice, the event will bring together around 20-30 local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations from across the borough. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet organisations, learn about volunteering opportunities and discover how getting involved can benefit both themselves and their community.

Find out more and plan your visit: Gateshead Volunteer Recruitment Fair | OurGateshead

Brews and Views – Leam Lane fortnightly coffee morning

Sense-

ability matters will be hosting a fortnightly coffee morning, downstairs in the Leam Lane Hub, starting on Monday 9th November 10:00 – 11:30, promising tea, coffee, chat and community – everyone is welcome. Contact Kirsty [email protected] for more information.

GLL Gateshead Community Fund

The GLL Gateshead Community Fund is now open for Round 2. The fund is for new projects and programmes to support people to move more in Gateshead and is open for applications until 30th November.

To find the criteria and application process please head to Gateshead Community Fund.

Have your say on health and wellbeing in our neighbourhoods

Every year, Gateshead’s Director of Public Health, Alice Wiseman, publishes an independent report about the health of local people and what can be done to improve it. This year, Alice wants to hear what matters to you about health and wellbeing in our neighbourhoods. You can respond by clicking here.

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