Dear Families
Looking back on last week and across this half term, I am incredibly proud of the curriculum we offer our students and the purposeful learning experiences, fieldwork and experts they engage with. This only happens on the back of the hard work, craftsmanship and quality of the staff who work here. Starting a school, building as we go demands a staff crew who are fully committed to the XP Curriculum and every week go to great lengths to plan purposeful experiences for our children. The breadth of activities that we post in these weekly updates is testament to the hard work of our Staff Crew and their commitment to our approach.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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’
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
