Unlock your child’s musical potential at XP Gateshead!

9th July 2026Geoff

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

 

Weekly update for families – W/C Tuesday 1st September 2026 

By Julie Mosley31st August 2026

Dear Families

What a first week back we have had!

As I said last week, our first week back is fundamental to us in terms of introducing or reaffirming the importance of Crew, the foundation of our culture at XPG. Staff and students took time to build and tend to positive relationships through many great experiences and challenges reminding each other that:

Year 7 (G33) first week back – What does it mean to be Crew?

Our G33 students have had a fantastic week at Ullswater finding out what crew means. I hope they returned to you full of tales of their outward bound adventures and new friendships. Across the week, students began to form strong bonds with their crew and new crew leaders, supporting each other to rise to every challenge set. We could not have been more impressed by our new year 7 students. The level of challenge meant that all Crews had to support and challenge each other to do more than they thought possible. They were compassionate, courageous, respectful and showed integrity in equal measure across the week. 

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Year 8 (G32) first week back – How can we support each other to lead the learning of our new Year 7 Crew?

Our G32 students returned to school strong and Y8 Crew Leaders were blown away by the quality of student work, depth of thinking, collaboration and leadership shown by students across the week. There is no doubt that Y8 students will continue to work with us across the G33 transition to ensure that our new students are welcomed into XPGateshead and are quickly part of our school community. 

Unfortunately Friday’s fieldwork which was planned by G32 ready for our new Year 7 expeditions to come had to be postponed due to the  weather forecast. Year 8 did get out to the local  nature reserve at Windy Nook to create and complete outdoor crew challenges which can be used for other crews. The postponed fieldwork will take place in coming weeks, details will follow.

The work of G32 last week is a fantastic example of student leadership with students co-constructing learning with their peers and adults in school. The G32 teaching team are delighted with the fieldwork planning and the resources that have been made which are indistinguishable from that of adults. 

Year 9 (G31) first week back – How do we form great habits to tackle initiatives as a Crew with increasing agency, independence and resilience?

Our G31 students showed real strength and character last week returning to school displaying greater maturity and a clear sense of purpose. They were challenged to rethink how they best work as crews and the norms they use, starting to strategically plan crew charity events they’d like to run this year and prepared for fieldwork reconnecting with the Outdoors. See last week’s post.

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Year 10 (G30) first week back – How can we ensure that our future selves will thank us for the next two years?

Our G30 students really stepped up to the challenge last week, working in Crews to consider how they will support and challenge each other to be successful over the next two years of GCSE. The week also provided lots of opportunities to continue their thinking about careers and pathways, beyond Key Stage 4 to Post-16. 

Y10 students also worked on a first CV based on their ambitions, strengths and skills to date, and on Friday they had a mock interview with an external professional who gave  them feedback on how they presented themselves, articulated their ambitions and responded to questions asked during the interview. Again, we raised the bar on our expectations and our students stepped up! The feedback we received from all interviewers was exceptional, commenting on our students’ maturity, confidence and the focus they had on their future success.

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Year 11 (G29) first week back – How can we nurture the best version of our future selves?

Our G29 students enjoyed a week-long journey developing their resilience and exploring what it means to be an independent learner,  taking ownership of their own education by consciously thinking about how they learn and actively seeking ways to improve. They learned that resilience isn’t a solitary trait but a collective strength. As crews they faced challenges together, building trust and discovered that a strong crew provides a vital support system for overcoming adversity. It was great to see confidence and belief growing across the week, especially with academic challenges. A great start to their final year as they move closer to final GCSE exams.

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Our week ahead 

G33 students (Year 7) 

Students will be working in their Crews on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (morning session) reflecting on their Outward Bound experience and thinking about what Crew looks like in the classroom and around our school, and how learning will work at their new school – especially learning through expeditions.

We will hand out iPads to G33 students this week.  These will come with instructions on how to set these up on the school management system which is a fairly straightforward process. Students will need to set these up at home on the evening they are handed out.

Look out for an additional post about the iPads. This will confirm the day that they handed out and will explain how to set up the iPads, including important information on how to make sure they are protected in their cases too.

On Thursday, students will find out their new classes and Immersion for their new learning expedition will start.

G32 students (Year 8) 

After a Crew session on Tuesday, students will begin a week-long immersion for their new learning expedition this week. G32 have their first PE session on Thursday so will need PE kit please.

G31 students (Year 9) 

After a morning Crew session, students will begin immersion for their new learning expedition this week. G31 will have their first PE session on Friday this week so students will need their PE kit.

On Friday, G31 will carry out a Geography Fieldwork in Gateshead locality as part of their immersion. They will also watch the film I, Daniel Blake, please see the website post for more details.

G30 students (Year 10) 

After morning Crew sessions, students will begin immersion for their new learning expeditions this week. There are no PE sessions planned for G32 this week. 

On Wednesday G30 students will travel to York to carry out fieldwork as part of their immersion. Please see the website post for more detail.

G29 students (Year 11) 

After morning Crew sessions, students will begin immersion for their new learning expedition this week. G29 PE sessions take place on Wednesday so students will need their PE kit. 

Making the right start

All students need to be in school for an 8.30am start to sessions so they must arrive by 8.25am at the latest. There will be staff in school supervising so students can arrive from 8.00 am.

We will finish formal sessions at 3.15pm and there will be no extended study or activities after school this week. 

Kit List

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

  • A backpack or suitable sized sized bag to carry equipment
  • A filled water bottle
  • Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, purple pen and a gluestick
  • A fully charged iPad (G29, G30, G31, G32 from Tuesday, G33 on the day following their distribution to students) and headphones (ideally not expensive ones, for example here).
    • The newer iPads have a USB C headphone connection.
  • A notebook
  • A reading book

Students also need to bring a healthy snack for break time – no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks please as we do not allow these in school. Please note there are to be no nut products in snacks or packed lunches – this is especially important as we have students in this cohort who are highly allergic to nut products. 

Mobile phones are not allowed in school. Phones must be switched off and in school bags each morning. Students are not allowed to use mobile phones during the day . If you need to contact your son or daughter please do so via the school office at [email protected] or on 0191 4814360. 

Safe arrivals and exit from site

Cars and parking outside of school

The start of a new academic year is always busier at pick up and drop off, with new Year 7 students getting used to making their way to and from a new school, and all students finishing at 3.15pm until extended study and clubs are up and running.

Please can you ensure that you consider our neighbours when parking and do not block any pathways or drives onto their properties. Of even more importance is the safety of our students when crossing the road outside of school. Please leave space by the barriers outside of the main gates, as we have staff here who can ensure that children are crossing the road safely. With a clear road here we will more easily be able to see any approaching traffic.

Cycling to school

We are really pleased to see so many of our students cycling or scooting to school. Can I remind parents that if  students are to bring bikes or scooters to school then they must have a bike lock. In terms of safety, students should also have a bike helmet. Please check that your child’s bike is in good condition frequently.

Please note that electric scooters (e–scooters) are not allowed in school or as a means of getting to school. This includes all other  ‘powered transporters’ too such as hoverboards and electric unicycles.

Lunches

We are a no nut school. This is very important as we do have children with severe allergies.

Students can choose to bring in a healthy packed lunch (no nut products, confectionery, fizzy or energy drinks) or have a school meal with us. 

Our school dinners are very popular with our students, thanks to our wonderful kitchen crew. Students make a daily food choice in crew each morning and we have a three week menu. Here is a link to this year’s new menu – this week we start on week 1.

If your child receives a free school meal, we will provide lunch. Please contact the school office at [email protected] if you have any questions around school meals or paying for meals via ParentPay. New families and parents of Year 7 will receive a letter which gives details of how to add your child’s XPG lunches to a parentpay account. This will be sent home with your child.

We are really looking forward to welcoming all of our students tomorrow. 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 for your ongoing support and a special thanks again to those parents who have been supporting our new G33 parents with their XPG knowledge and expertise. 

Julie Mosley

Principal

Upcoming Film Viewing: I, Daniel Blake for G31 Students

28th August 2026Rebecca Jones

As part of our Immersion G31, students will be watching the film I, Daniel Blake. We believe this film is important for our students as it is set within our local community and provides valuable insight into the lives of people who may live in our neighbourhoods. The film addresses several mature themes, including strong language, sex references (including references to prostitution) , prescription drug use, criminal behaviour, and some unintentional racism. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has rated this film as suitable for viewers aged 15 and above.

I, Daniel Blake tells the story of a 59-year-old carpenter from Newcastle named Daniel Blake. After losing his wife and suffering a heart attack, Daniel’s doctor advises him to rest and avoid working. However, the benefits system declares him ‘fit for work,’ preventing him from claiming unemployment benefits. The film follows Daniel’s challenging journey through the British benefits system as he appeals the decision. Along the way, he befriends a single mother of two who is also struggling with the system.

If you have any concerns about your child watching this film, please feel free to contact your crew leader or myself at [email protected] by Monday.Thank you for your understanding and support.

G31 – First Week Back – ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’

28th August 2026Rebecca Jones

What a fantastic first week back for G31! Our guiding question this week was: 

‘How do we form great habits to tackle initiatives as a Crew with increasing agency, independence and resilience?’ 

To tackle the question the week was broken down into two case studies: 

Case study one: How we Crew: Showing initiative

Case study two: Reconnecting with the outdoors

For our final products, students developed a finalised set of Crew norms to guide them throughout the year, a strategic annual charity plan, and an initiative designed by their Crew to help other Crews build strong relationships.

Their norms, agency, resilience, and independence were put to the test on Thursday during a student navigated hike around Wylam. The spirit of crew carried into our first Year 9 community circle today, where over half the students shared thoughtful appreciations for their peers.

Students also reflected on the purpose of outdoor learning and wrote personal statements on why connecting with nature is so essential.

Below is a first draft from Donnell (Crew Pankhurst) who plans to build on this with his crew: 

‘After reading and  experiencing XP outdoors with my crew I now realise it’s important to go hiking especially with our community since class rooms  can be overstimulating. But, after going outdoors to bond with my crew it helped us not only develop skills but also understanding others strengths. Lastly, it helps us rewind and take a break from everyday life and help our character grow not just as a person but as a community too.’

What a great start to year 9! I can’t wait to see how the skills they’ve been working on this week will help with the rest of the year ahead!

G33 Ullswater arrival time

By Martin Said28th August 2026

The coach is making good time, the latest estimated arrival time is between 3.30pm and 3.40pm. Please continue to check our website for further updates.

G29 Human revision sessions

27th August 2026Hannah Simpson

Dear G29 parents and carers

Human revision sessions will be starting from next week for our new Y11s, in order that they get as much benefit from them as possible. We will also be running a fitness session before each revision session.

Tuesday (Miss Simpson)

Fitness: 7:15am to 7:50am

English revision: 8:00 am to 8:30am

Thursday (Miss Tatters)

Fitness: 7:15am to 7:50am

History revision: 8:00 am to 8:30am

This year, Miss Simpson will also be running a human drop in session at the dining tables from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on Thursdays. This is an opportunity for students to complete any extended study or revision tasks with a teacher there to advise.

Whilst these sessions are not compulsory, we would strongly encourage all students to attend as many as possible. This year, we saw a strong correlation between students who attended every revision session and students who came in significantly above their predicted grades in English. Establishing these routines early means that students already have a base of revision behind them as we get closer to the exams, significantly reducing stress.

Additionally, attending the pre-revision fitness session can boost energy, help concentration and increase focus at both the revision session and during the rest of the school day.

Thanks as always for your continued support

Team G29

G30 Immersion Fieldwork Wednesday 2nd September

27th August 2026Hannah Simpson

Dear parents and carers of G30

As part of their Human Immersion, on Wednesday the 2nd of September next week, G30 will be travelling to York to examine some Viking artefacts. This is a key part of their immersion and the work they do on their visit will form an important part of their learning throughout the term.

We are travelling by coach, which will depart from XP Gateshead at 8.30am prompt. We will depart from York at 2pm, aiming to arrive back at XPG by 4pm.

Our visit will be solely within the museum and gardens, but as always students will need to wear sensible shoes (no crocs or sandals), bring a packed lunch and appropriate layers.

Many thanks

Team G30

G33 Reminders for Ullswater Outward Bound tomorrow

By Martin Said24th August 2026

There is more in us than we know.

Arrival in school tomorrow, Tuesday 25th August

Year 7 students will start at the normal time of 8:25am. They can arrive from 8:00am tomorrow. We will meet students and families at the gate to collect deposits and any medication.

Please do not wait for the departure of the coach later that morning. This makes it more difficult for children to take that first step. There is more in your children than you know!

Students will need a packed lunch for arrival at the centre. Following that all meals are provided by the centre.

Returnable Deposit

Students must bring a £10 deposit with them on the morning which will be handed back to them at the end of their adventure if there is no loss or damage to equipment. This is an important part of the process for the week, and teaches the students about join responsibility as a Crew.

Medication

Any medication for students must be in the original box, clearly labelled with your child’s name and details of regularity of administration and dose. This includes:

  • Inhalers
  • Epipens
  • Travel sickness pills
  • Painkillers
  • Antihistamines

Please get in contact with [email protected] if your child will be bringing medication and we can provide you with a self-administration or permission to administer form.

Kit List

Specialist equipment such as walking boots, tents, sleeping bags, hiking rucksacks and waterproofs will be provided by the centre.

The kit list for students is listed below. Please ensure that your child has all of these items.

Older clothes are far better for the week as they will get wet and or muddy.

  • 1 large bag or suitcase to take kit on the coach
  • 2 bin bags –  to store wet and dirty clothes
  • 1 pair of trainers for getting wet – these trainers will definitely get wet so it is important that you have a second pair.
  • A second pair of trainers to stay dry for day to day wear – these are likely to get muddy so preferably not new.
  • 3 sweatshirts, jumpers, hoodies or fleeces – Fleeces are ideal as they dry quickly but any of the other items are a good substitute. You should include at least one warmer fleece for your expedition.
  • 3 pairs of trousers – Lightweight trousers (not denim) such as walking trousers, leggings or tracksuit bottoms.
  • 3 T-shirts – Aim for tops that cover shoulders from the sun.
  • 1 long-sleeved base layer/top 
  • 1 pair of shorts – Not denim
  • 1 pair of nightwear/pyjamas
  • 1 set of casual clothes for around the centre
  • 7 sets of underwear including socks – This is a minimum number. Trainer socks aren’t recommended as they may cause blisters.
  • At least 2 pairs of thick walking socks
  • Sunhat, sunglasses, suncream – don’t bring expensive sunglasses, suncream needs to be at least factor 30.
  • 1 set of warm hat and gloves
  • At least 1 towel – Quick drying microfibre towels are great. You will need a towel for showering and on activities, so bring at least one.
  • Watch with alarm if possible
  • 1 set of swimwear plus t-shirt and shorts for use in water
  • Toiletries – including soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, blister kit, plasters, insect repellent, lip salve, hand sanitiser, wet wipes, talcum powder (for your feet), etc.
  • 1 pair of flip slops or sandals – optional

Mobile Phones

Students can bring mobile phones with then. These will be handed to Crew Leaders before departure and will not be used on the coach journey.

Students will be given some time to contact home before their evening meals on Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday students will be on overnight expedition and will not have access to their phones.

Should you need to contact the centre for any reason, here are the contact details:

The Outward Bound Trust
Howtown Centre
Howtown
Penrith
CA10 2ND
Tel: 017684 86272

If you do not hear from your child, this might be because they have not got signal, or they’re having too much fun! No news is good news.

Return to school on Friday 28th August

We expect to be back in school at around 4pm on Friday 28th August. We will update the website if there are any delays. Please be conscientious when parking and do not block the drives of any of our neighbours.

We ask that the space at the western end of Swards Road is kept clear for the coach to be able to park so that students can alight safely and collect their luggage.

Sessions in school the following week

Due to the Bank Holiday, students will return to school after Ullswater on Tuesday 1st September at the normal time arriving between 8:00am and 8:25am.

They will have two days of sessions in their Crew, where they will re-familiarise themselves with our building and daily protocols, reflecting on the importance of their shared experience at Outward Bounds and preparing for academic sessions. They will start their first academic learning expedition on Thursday 3rd September.

Weekly Update for families – W/C Monday 24th August 2026 

By Julie Mosley23rd August 2026

Dear Families

Welcome back!

Next week we return to school for our first week back which is fundamental to us as an XP School. We will spend time introducing or reaffirming the importance of Crew which is the foundation of our culture at XPG, and take the time to build and tend to positive relationships in Crew through shared experiences and challenges. 

 ‘If we get Crew right, we get everything right’.

The activities in the first week back are carefully planned and bespoke to each year group. 

Arrival Times on Monday (Y11, Y10) and Tuesday (Y7, Y8, Y9)

We will be running a staggered start to the term for students across Monday and  Tuesday to ensure a smooth start back. 

Monday 24th August

On Monday we welcome our Key Stage 4 students back to school.

  • G29 (Year 11)
    • Year 11 students will start at 10:30am and can arrive from 10:15am on Monday.
    • Please note that our Y11 Crews  will be undertaking fieldwork across Tuesday to Friday – more details below.
  • G30 (Year 10)
    • Year 10 students will start at 11:30am and can arrive from 11:15am on Monday.

Tuesday 25th August

On Tuesday, our Key Stage 3 students return to school joining our older students.

  • G33 (Year 7)
    • Year 7 students will start at normal time, 8:25am and can arrive from 8am on Tuesday.
    • As always, our new Year 7 students will be heading off to Ullswater for their Outward Bound experience – more details below.
  • G31 (Year 9)
    • Year 9 students will start at 9:30am and can arrive from 9.15am on Tuesday.
    • Please note that our Y9 students will be undertaking fieldwork on Thursday – more details below.
  • G32 (Year 8)
    • Year 8 students will start at 10:30am and can arrive from 10.15am on Tuesday.
    • Please note that our Y8 students will be undertaking fieldwork on Friday – more details below.

First week back guiding questions and fieldwork next week 

Each cohort has a different guiding question for the week with purposeful activities which help them to answer this question. As such there is no PE this coming week, but there is physical activity for all year groups as you will see below.

G33 (Year 7) students – Outward Bound Expedition

G33 students head off to Howtown, Ullswater for their Outward Bound Expedition and their guiding question for the week which is:

“What does it mean to be crew?”

Importantly, students will need a packed lunch and a £10 deposit with them when they arrive at school on Tuesday. See the detailed website post which has full information on travel, kit, medical requirements, communication and return time back to school on Friday.

G32 (Year 8) students

“How can we support each other to lead the learning of our new Year 7 Crew?”

As part of their first week back in school, Year 8 students will be planning fieldwork in our local area which will involve them retrieving and consolidating their learning from last year’s expeditions as well as evaluating the effectiveness of new fieldwork activities in order to support the learning of our new Year 7 cohort. 

G32 Fieldwork on Friday 28th August

To answer their guiding question, students will plan and risk assess a piece of fieldwork.

Students will complete the fieldwork during the school day on Friday 28th August and will be back in school for around 3.30pm.

Each Crew will put together a ‘Crew picnic’. Your child will be able to give you more details on how they plan to contribute towards this picnic.

G32 students should also be prepared for the weather conditions, so they must have their regular kit and in addition:

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Appropriate clothing for the weather
  • Suitable footwear for a day’s walking in urban area
  • Water bottle
  • Suncream
  • A cap or hat

G31 (Year 9) students

This week serves as an introduction to the types of challenges that year 9 students will face this academic year. Their guiding question for the week is:

“How do we form great habits to tackle initiatives as a Crew with increasing agency, independence and resilience?”

G31 Fieldwork on Thursday 27th August

See website post for full details

As part of their first week back in school, Year 9 students will be carrying out a hike in Northumberland around Wylam, learning how to navigate together on Thursday during the school day. As this is a hike, a consent form will go home to students on Tuesday.

Each Crew will put together a ‘Crew picnic’. Your child will be able to give you more details on how they plan to contribute towards this picnic.

Students will be travelling by metro and train during the regular school day and will return back to school for around 3:30pm. We will keep you updated on the school website of our expected arrival time.

G31 students will need the following kit for the day.

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Appropriate clothing for the weather
  • Hiking boots or footwear that is suitable for a rural hike.
  • Water bottle
  • Suncream
  • A cap or hap

G30 (Year 10) students

Students will be working together in Crews on their guiding question:

‘How can we ensure that our future selves will thank us for the next two years?’

There are two foci for the students for the week. The first of which is focussing on the step up to Key Stage 4 and how they need to adapt their Crew norms to ensure that they are supporting and challenging each other to be successful.

Secondly students will continue their thinking about careers and pathways, beyond Key Stage 4 to Post-16. As part of the week students will hear from experts and employers about what pathways are available to them and what employers and education providers are looking for in candidates.

During the week, students will also put together a CV based on their ambitions, strengths and skills to date, and on Friday they will have a mock interview with a professional who will give them feedback on how they present themselves, how they articulate their ambitions and reflect on themselves and how they respond to  questions. Year 10 students should wear more formal dress on Friday for their mock interviews.

G29 (Year 11) students – including fieldwork throughout the week

Year 11 students will have a week which focuses on

  • Facing the challenges of Year 11 head on, and thriving!
  • Developing resilience and being comfortable with challenge.
  • Self-regulation techniques, good learner behaviors and target setting.

As part of this week students will complete a series of outdoor challenges at Whickham Thornes Activity Centre with their Crew Leader. Students will be travelling to the will travel there by minibus. A consent form will go home with students on Monday 24th August.

  • Crew Nightingale will carry out the challenge on Tuesday 25th August.
  • Crew King will carry out the challenge on Wednesday 26th August.
  • Crew Watson will carry out the challenge on Thursday 27th August.
  • Crew Attenborough will carry out the challenge on Friday 28th August.

For the day of their outdoor challenges G29 students will need the following kit:

  • Footwear appropriate for sports as per PE:
    • Trainers, not baseball boots or plimsolls.
  • Comfortable clothing such as:
    • Leggings or tracksuit pants. Jeans are not appropriate.
    • Waterproof jacket and a warm top. Fleece or hoody.
  • A packed lunch for the day.

Regular Kit and dress code for this week

All students in Year 8-11 will need their regular kit for every day this week. They should also be in regular dress code for the start of school this week on Tuesday, just as in any other week. See our website post for a reminder on our dress code expectations.

A reminder that for day to day kit we expect students a school bag (backpack) with the following:

  • A water bottle
  • A fully charged iPad
  • Headphones – ideally not expensive ones, for example here
  • Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, purple pen and glue stick
  • Notebook
  • Reading book

School Lunches 

Students can choose to bring in a healthy packed lunch (no confectionery, fizzy or energy drinks) or have a school meal with us. Please note there must be no nut products in snacks or packed lunches – this is especially important as we have students in this cohort who are highly allergic to nut products.

Our school dinners are very popular with our students, thanks to our wonderful kitchen crew. Students make a daily food choice in crew each morning and we have a three week menu. For more on school meals this year, please see this detailed website post.

Staffing Update and Crew Leaders

Sevvandi Rajapakse (Mrs RJ) accepted a new job during the school holidays so, due to notice periods, will not return to XPG in the new term. She goes on to a Lecturer role at Newcastle College and I know that her work will have the same positive impact on staff, students and families as it has with us. I’m sure that you will join me in thanking Sevvandi for the high quality work she has done in supporting young people to access all areas of the curriculum and the care she has given.

Lauren Cadenas joins our teaching team on a permanent basis as a G33 (Y7) Crew Leader and teacher of PE.

Crew Leaders this academic year

A reminder that our Crew Leaders for this academic year are:

Year 7 – Gayle Crowder, Y7 Phase Leader

Our Year 7 Crew leaders – Leanne Diamond, Emily Bennet, Lauren Cadenas, 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

Regular timetabled sessions

Regular timetabled lessons and new learning expeditions will start for Years 8-11 on Tuesday 1st September.

When they return to school from Ullswater, Year 7 will have two days in Crew on Tuesday 1st  and Wednesday 2nd September. This will give them time to further debrief their adventure, consider what it means to be Crew in academic sessions and further orient themselves in their new school and new building. They will start their new learning expeditions and timetabled sessions on Wednesday 2nd September.

There will be no clubs or extended study for the first two weeks of term.

We are really looking forward to welcoming all of our students back to school next week. 

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 for your ongoing support and a special thanks to our existing parents who have been sharing their XPG knowledge and expertise with our new G33 parents. Together we are definitely stronger #WeAreCrew.

Julie Mosley

Principal

G28 A Momentous Milestone: XP Gateshead’s First-Ever GCSE Results!

By Julie Mosley20th August 2026

Today is a historic day for XP Gateshead and we couldn’t be prouder of our pioneering G28 cohort, who have received their GCSE results.

Five years ago, G28 students walked through our doors, joining us as pioneers and they have helped us build XP Gateshead from the ground up. From day one, they have worked alongside us building a strong culture, showing us all exactly what it means to be Crew. 

We have repeated the words of Kurt Hahn many times over the past 5 years and the actions and behaviours of G28 have embodied them.

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives, we will be unwilling to settle for less.” 

Year on year they have been the role models for new crews joining us, showing everyone what it means to be a student at XPG. 

Indications are that students have been awarded grades well above national expectations of attainment in almost all areas. Today’s GCSE results are a testament to the phenomenal hard work and effort of our pioneering students and staff who have shown a determined and unwavering work ethic and commitment to doing beautiful work across the last five years. We also want to pay tribute to the outstanding support and trust we have received from all of our G28 families.

Compared to national and local averages, our students’ results place us in the top third of school consistently across subjects, with phenomenal attainment in particular in English Language, Geography, Religious Studies, Photography, Sports and Interactive Media.

We also have a very high proportion of students achieving grades 4s and 5s in Maths and English, with strong performance overall in students achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grade 7 too.

This is all the more remarkable to say that students work in mixed ability classes, and have studied an expeditionary curriculum right the way through to their final exams.

At XP, we absolutely do get our kids to pass exams, but we know that academic achievement is only one measure of success.

Through our cross-subject expeditionary curriculum, students have enjoyed an engaging, creative and rich learning experience. This has allowed our students to engage with the world and create beautiful work that really matters and that has made a difference to them and to their community.

For example, our students in G28:

  • Are published authors, having published a local history book on our mining heritage which was launched at Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s literature.
  • Have fed families for a week with recipes designed to be nutritious and easy to make with budget ingredients.
  • Are published podcasters, having written and recorded about unheard voices of WWI such as women on the home front and soldiers from Commonwealth countries such as India. This was broadcast on a national radio station – Memory Lane Radio – as part of their remembrance services.
  • Produced a geocaching route, encouraging families to enjoy our local green spaces together whilst learning about species that are protected in the local green plan.
  • Have written and delivered public speeches about what it means to be human.
  • Performed Macbeth at Caedmon Hall to an audience of over a-hundred people, with supporting presentations around science and chemical changes.
  • Produced a film that honours and shares the stories of migrants to and from our country which was showcased at Newcastle University.
  • Produced a sculpture which was exhibited at The Farrell Centre, the national centre for Architecture at Newcastle University  and later exhibited at Gateshead Library.
  • Hosted a public health conference challenging local leaders such as politicians and health professionals to do more on the challenges of healthy eating and health inequalities in our region.
  • Written poetry which reflects our relationship with the natural world.
  • Taught lessons to invited guests as part of a presentation of learning.
  • Engaged in debates about challenging topics such as eugenics and the role of the public in Germany in the rise of Nazism at Newcastle Sixth Form College.
  • Hosted and catered for an afternoon tea, tackling loneliness in elderly members of our community.
  • Developed a sustainable energy plan for the future, drawing upon their learning from Science.
  • Supported charities associated with their Crews through events in school. Crews Stanton, Frank and Aneglou have raised £1000s for the Tiny Live, Bobby Robson Foundation and Young Minds respectively. Crew Parks are responsible for the fields of saplings in the grounds outside of our school as part of their work with Trees for Cities.
  • Exhibited their artwork as part of our first XPG Live – all students in G28 have studied either fine art or photography.
  • Directed and performed in a production of Romeo and Juliet using our school building to create a piece of immersive theatre
  • Carried out high quality fieldwork and cultural experiences including professional performances of plays such as I Daniel Blake, worked at our local universities and Post-16 providers, carried out ecological studies and conservational work in local green spaces such as Windy Nook Nature Reserve. There is so much more that we could list!

As adults, we are judged by who we are and the quality of our work. The work we do is three-dimensional. This is why we focus relentlessly on character growth and beautiful work as well as academic success. Qualifications will get you through the door. Who you are and the quality of your work will get you the job, the place at university, the start up business loan.

Our founding G28 students leave us today with the qualifications they need for their next steps, but more importantly, with the character and values to succeed in the wider world. They understand that they are important, because they have done work that matters, and improves their community. We are so incredibly excited to see where their stories take them next, knowing they are empowered to become agents for positive social change, ready to protect the planet, stand for social justice and cultivate diversity and belonging wherever they go.

A massive thank you to our phenomenal staff, our trusting families, and our community for walking this pioneering path with us.

And to G28, our first-ever graduating Crew: you have set the foundations at XP Gateshead and we could not have asked for a better Crew of young people to start this journey with. 

Congratulations, and thanks to you all G28.

G28 GCSE Results Day 20th August

19th August 2026Darren Mead

Dear StudentsParents and carers,

We  are excited to welcome Students and their families into school from 9am tomorrw to collect their results. We are looking forward to seeing you all! Results will also be available on the Education Records App, but only from 11am, so the quickest way to get your results is to come into school. 

School will be open from 9am until 11:30am and Crew leaders will be there to celebrate with you and provide guidance if needed. 

While you are here please make sure that you complete the destination survey. 

Remember the results are provisional and the official GCSE certificates arrive in School late October, students will be invited to a presentation evening in November to receive their certificates. .

Any queries please contact Mr Mead ([email protected])