Acceptable Use of ICT – Reminders and updates around wider tech use.

By Martin Said23rd September 2026

This last week we have dealt with a couple of incidents related to use of technology inside and outside of school that have had a significant impact on staff time and school resources.

We ask all families to ensure that they re-familiarise themselves with our Acceptable Use  of ICT policy (linked below). We also need your support as parents and guardians to:

  • Discuss healthy use of technology with your child
  • Monitor their use of technology outside of school
  • Support us in teaching your children and holding them to account for their use of tech, so that we can keep our school a place where tech is used to enhance learning.

Young people need to develop good habits around tech use, and this will not come from preventing students from having any access to technology, but from strong schooling and parenting in partnership.

In that regard, please read the following very carefully as it contains important information and some recent updates…

Mobile phones, tech in school and acceptable use of ICT.

As has always been the case, mobile phones are not allowed to be used in school – this is now also a government directive.

Mobile phones must be switched off and in students’ bags for the whole school 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.

iPads are a requirement for students at our school, and it is an expectation that they are used in line with our acceptable use policy.

Government Consultation & Social media accounts

The government has been consulting on restricting use of tech for children, including:

  • Age Restrictions: Exploring potential age limits or bans for under-16s on social media, some gaming platforms, and AI chatbots.
  • Addictive Features: Reviewing restrictions on addictive design elements like infinite scrolling, streaks, and algorithmic content delivery.
  • Screen Time & Curfews: Assessing digital curfews and screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16.

The government have recently announced that Social Media will be banned for Under-16s from Spring 2027. More information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fact-sheet-new-rules-to-protect-children-online/fact-sheet-new-rules-to-protect-children-online

We see in schools, all too frequently the harm that unrestricted or unsupervised access to social media can cause. Sadly in some cases this harm is very serious.

The NSPCC has recently posted on the social media platforms that are most linked to abuse of children. More information can be found here:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2026/new-childline-data-reveals-top-five-platforms-apps-linked-to-online-child-sexual-abuse/

Wider tech-use and health habits

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.

Ensuring safe use of school-managed iPads at home

After 4.30pm the safety controls are handed over to you as a family.

For the best level of protection we recommend setting up an Apple family set of accounts, and using parental controls such as screen time.
If you do not already have an Apple iCloud account, guidance on how to do that is here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108647
Here are some instructions on how to set up a family sharing set of accounts and add any existing accounts with Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108380
Once you have the child account linked to yours through a family set of accounts you can then also use parental controls to determine what features can be accessed and at what times: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/105121
You can also control screen time on the iPad directly, without a family account, by inputting a screen time password which only you know: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102677.
Thanks for your continued support. The world of tech changes quickly; we will do what we can to ensure that our children are equipped for the modern world and protected from the potential harms of tehnology.

G29 Fieldwork to the Victoria Tunnels 23rd and 25th September

22nd September 2026Hannah Simpson

Dear parents and carers of G29,

This week sees our students heading out on their historic site study visit. This is a required practical element of their history GCSE, for the component entitled ‘History All Around Us’.

A reminder, Class 1 are heading out tomorrow. The visit is wholly within school hours and they will be back in time for lunch, so a packed lunch is not needed. The weather forecast tomorrow has an 80% chance of rain, so please ensure your child has a waterproof hooded jacket and sensible footwear. It can also be cold in the tunnels, so please ensure they have an extra layer to wear during our tour.

Class 2 are heading out on Friday. The visit is wholly within school hours and they will be back in time for lunch, so a packed lunch is not needed. The weather forecast shows a chance of rain, so please ensure your child has a waterproof hooded jacket and sensible footwear. It can also be cold in the tunnels, so please ensure they have an extra layer to wear during our tour.

They will be travelling by metro.

Kind regards

Team G29

G32/33 Football Fixture at Heworth.

21st September 2026Tom Devitt

The next G32/33 football fixture is this Wednesday 23rd September at Heworth Secondary School, 4pm kick off. Mr Devitt will pick a squad that will be shown on student notices tomorrow morning (Tuesday 22/09). Students selected will need to bring football boots, shin pads, football socks, and a PE top to travel in. Official football kit will be provided to all students.

Students will walk to the venue straight from school at 3.15pm and will be brought back to school after. The arrival time will be around 5.15pm and this will be updated should there be any change. Parents are able to attend this fixture if they wish too and are able to take their child home straight from the fixture, as long as this has been communicated with Mr Devitt before departing Heworth. 

If there are any further questions please don’t hesitate to email Mr Devitt. Thank you. 

Extended Study at XPG

By Martin Said21st September 2026

For more details on our rationale for extended study, please click on this link.

Students are set work through Google Classroom, which students access through their school login. Your Crew Leader can make sure that families are invited to receive a weekly digest which updates you on the work set through Google Classroom. Some of our apps, SPARX Maths and Tassomai Science also send updates to families on completion of Extended Study.

The tables below show what a typical week looks like in KS3 and KS4, the days on which extended study is usually set, and when it is due.

KS3 Years 7-9

KS4 Years 10 and 11

Sharing our Stories: 18/09/2026

18th September 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

KS1 Community Crew @ Green Top

Open the book @ Plover

Strong Foundations In Crew Ramsay @ Carcroft School

What does it mean to be human? @ XP

]We are making our mark! @ Norton Infants

Stepping back in time at Norton Village Hall @ Norton Juniors

Weekly update @ XP Gateshead

Sports Day Winners @ 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!

Celebrate XP… support a charity!

18th September 2026Andy Sprakes

Announcing Our New Publication: ‘Celebrating Ten Years of Expeditions at XP’

A new publication, ‘Celebrating Ten Years of Learning Expeditions at XP’, written by our co-founder, Andy Sprakes, is now available. The book highlights an extensive and broad selection of the beautiful work created by our young people and staff from across our Trust. It is a profound and often moving reminder of the purpose, agency, and consequence of our work; illuminating the transformative power and far-reaching impact of Learning Expeditions.

In the next few weeks, the book will be made available to the general public and will retail at £20. However, to mark the publication of this much-anticipated book, it is being made available exclusively to staff across our Trust for a not-for-profit cost price of £5. In the spirit of Crew the proceeds will be donated to charity.

When staff fill in the google form and order the book at this price, they will be able to choose to donate to one of two local charities and one national charity that have supported and worked alongside us in the past. 

ORDER THE BOOK HERE
FILL IN THE FORM HERE

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the exceptional staff across our Trust whose unwavering dedication, creativity, and passion made this publication, and the transformative work within it, possible.

Charities Staff can support by purchasing the book

Curriculum Seam: Protecting Our Planet

RSPCA – https://www.rspcadoncasterrotherham.org.uk/

Curriculum Seam: Standing for Social Justice

Schools of Sanctuary – https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/

Curriculum Seam: Diversity and Belonging

Children in Need – https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/

G32/G33 School football fixture at Thorp Academy 16/09/26.

14th September 2026Tom Devitt

The first G32/33 football fixture is this Wednesday 16th September at Thorp Academy, 4pm kick off. Mr Devitt will pick a squad that will be shown on student notices tomorrow morning (Tuesday 17/09). Students selected will need to bring football boots, shin pads, football socks, and a PE top to travel in. Official football kit will be provided to all students. Consent forms will be given to all students participating in the fixture and should be signed and returned to school on Wednesday.

Students will travel to the fixture at 3.20pm straight from school via the school minibus and will be brought back to school after. The arrival time will be around 5.15pm and this will be updated should there be any change. Parents are able to attend this fixture if they wish too and are able to take their child home straight from the fixture, as long as this has been communicated with Mr Devitt before departing Thorp.

If there are any further questions please don’t hesitate to email Mr Devitt. Thank you.

Weekly Update for Families – W/C Monday 14th September 2026

By Julie Mosley13th September 2026

Dear Families

We have continued to be impressed with our students this week and the HOWLs (habits of work and learning) they are exhibiting in sessions. It has been great to see the fantastic start each year group has made and hear praise from the teams who work with each of our cohorts. A special mention to our new Year 7 students on how well they have transitioned to life in secondary school and our expectations here at XP Gateshead.

It has been great to hear students’ appreciations, apologies and stands during year group Community Meetings last week and I look forward to this week’s Whole School Community Meeting on Thursday. The language our students use around our character values and HOWLs shows a real depth of understanding and commitment to character development. These are not just words on a wall at XPG

Guiding Questions

At the start of last week immersion came to the end for all year groups and guiding questions (GQs) have been set with all students. 

GQs influence, shape and act as a reference point for student learning. GQs provoke thinking and deepen learning throughout the 12 week expedition and allow students to be engaged in authentic and purposeful work which makes connections between different subject areas and disciplines. During the course of a learning expedition, our children experience a range of case studies, with challenging texts which deepen their understanding and help them to develop an answer to the rich GQ for the expedition.

Presentations of Learning

At XP we make our work public. One of the most important ways we do this is through Presentations of Learning (PoLs). PoLs usually take place towards the end of expeditions and they 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. In addition, students develop oracy skills by presenting to different audiences and in different contexts which builds confidence and further allows students to grow their character whilst developing key skills. 

It is essential that each student has at least one family member in attendance at PoLs. Presentations of Learning are designed to help students develop character, showcase their beautiful work, and reinforce the vital partnership between family, school, and students in their academic and personal growth.

This terms’ Guiding Questions and Presentation of Learning:

G33 -“What’s the story of our community?”

The presentation of learning for this event will be held on Tuesday 15th December 2026 at St Mary’s Church in Heworth from 4.30pm until 5.45pm. Please keep this evening free in your diaries. The final product for this expedition will be a local history book, charting the story of Gateshead and the North East – by the end of the academic year all of our Year 7s will be published authors!

G32 – “What does it mean to be Human?”

G32’s presentation of learning will be held on the evening Thursday 10th December in school at 4.30pm. This will take the form of a series of educational talks on aspects of our shared humanity. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust again this year. The students’ final artwork for this expedition will be curated at the Cardiothoracic Centre at The Freeman Hospital. This is the only cardiothoracic unit in the UK that provides specialist treatment for all types of heart and respiratory related conditions in adults and children, including (congenital) heart and lung surgery, heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. The artwork will encourage blood and organ donation – our Year 8s work will save lives!

G31 – “How are structures important in helping us to explain our world?”

G31’s presentation of learning will take place on the evening of Tuesday 1st December at the Farrell Centre, Newcastle University Campus from 3:30pm until 5:30pm. We are working with a new partner for this learning expedition. In addition to our ongoing work with Newcastle University and The Farrell Centre, this year our final product will be artwork celebrating Gateshead’s urban spaces, which will be hosted in Felling Community Centre on Smithburn Road.

G30 –  “How do we know that bonds help us forge a strong legacy?”

G30’s presentation of learning will be held on Wednesday 9th December 2026 in school at 4.30pm. The final product and presentation of learning take the form of a series of lessons centred on viking artefacts, looking at the history of these objects and their material provenance too. In addition, there will be a meal provided by students encouraging us to form bonds as a community in the run up to Christmas.

G29 – “What’s love got to do with it?”

Students will be producing revision resources to Romeo and Juliet as their final product and will also perform excerpts from the play with directorial narration and analysis of each scene. This will take place on Wednesday 4th November in school 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.

Our week ahead 

G33 Fieldwork – Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th September

All G33 (Year 7) students will be carrying out fieldwork at the location of the former Whitburn Colliery and Marsden Village near to Souter Lighthouse in South Tyneside. They will also be doing geology studies in Marsden Bay. This fieldwork will build on work that students have done in the immersion to their new learning expedition – which has a focus on the industrialisation and subsequent de-industrialisation of our region.

G33 Class 1 will be going on Monday 14th September

G33 Class 2 will be going on Tuesday 15th September

Students need to be in school for 8.00am for the day of their fieldwork and we expect to return to school a little later than the normal end of the school day, with students finishing at 4.00pm but will update our website should there be any delays due to traffic.

Please see last week’s website post from Mr Said for full details on the kit needed. 

PE sessions this week

Please can parents make sure that their child has a PE kit  for PE sessions. We expect students to change into their appropriate PE kit, and not wear the same clothes they wear in school. Similarly, students must change out of PE kit afterwards, into their normal school clothes. For safety, jewellery must be removed and hair must be tied back.

  • G33 students (Year 7) have PE on Wednesday.
  • G32 students (Year 8) have PE on Thursday.
  • G31 students (Year 9) have PE on Tuesday.
  • G30 students (Year 10) have PE on Wednesday.
  • Due to our shortened week, G29 (Year 11) do not have PE this week.

Extended Study 

Over the coming week, teachers will start to set extended study. Students can choose to complete this at home, or in school in our staffed extended study sessions.

Look out for a separate post this week with details of our rationale for Extended Study, the nature of the work for each discipline and the days on which the work will typically be set.

Google Classroom

Students are set work through their Google Classroom. Families receive weekly updates from Google Classroom via email. For existing Y8-Y11 families you should already receive these – if you are not yet receiving these please check your email address for an invite from Google Classroom, including your SPAM folder. You child’s Crew Leader can check if you have accepted the invite and should therefore be getting these emails.

Year 7 families, please look out for an invite to Google Classroom updates this week.

After School Extended Study sessions

Staffed, after-school extended study sessions will start this week. We offer extended study sessions from 3:15pm – 4:30pm Monday – Thursday.  Students attending these sessions must stay for the full session until the end at 4.30pm. These sessions allow students to work with their peers and staff on extended study tasks in school where support is on hand. Extended study is optional for most students but for some who struggle to complete and miss deadlines, extended study may be directed.

If you have any questions about extended study or how you could best support your child, please contact their Crew Leader for support.

Lunchtime and after school clubs

There are a wide range of club tasters taking place this week. Please see the website post for full details. All students will review this week’s offer in Crew on Monday morning and sign up for taster sessions. Please encourage your son/daughter to get involved in taster sessions.

Staff Development Days

We have staff days each term at XP so that our teachers can collaborate across the Trust to create and deliver the high quality curriculum that our students study. These are shown in blue each year’s calendar, these can be found here. 

This week on Friday, the following week on Monday are the first of our staff days where students are not expected to be in school.

  • Friday 18th September – Staff Development Day 
  • Monday 21st September – Staff Development Day 

On staff days our students do not attend school and there is no expectation that they complete work beyond their regularly set extended study (homework). Students will find this work on Google classroom.

Students are expected back to school on Tuesday 22nd September at the usual time (by 8:25am at the latest).

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.  Together we are stronger #WeAreCrew.

Julie Mosley