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G31 FIRST WEEK BACK
G31 will complete a hike on Thursday 27th August as part of their first week back. Although closely supervised by staff, this will be the students’ first experience navigating with a map in the great outdoors.
To travel further into the countryside, we will be taking the train to Wylam. Because trains on this route run hourly, we may return to school slightly later than usual. We aim to be back by 15:45, but please be aware that any train delays or cancellations could delay our return by up to an hour.
Students will receive a consent form on Tuesday 25th August when they return. This form allows you to provide consent for the late return and to update us on any medical conditions we should be aware of.
This hike requires students to wear suitable walking boots or shoes. If this is not possible, please let your child’s Crew Leader know, as we have spare boots and shoes available for students to borrow.
Retailers like Trespass and Go Outdoors offer quality walking boots and shoes at reasonable prices. A Go Outdoors membership costs £5 and provides discounted pricing on all of their stock.
Students will have the chance to wear these boots again as they develop their navigation skills in year 9.
Below is an excerpt from our core principles regarding the importance of our students spending time in nature:
‘XP Outdoors is an integral part of our learning in our Trust. It is important now, more than ever, for students to actively engage in looking after our natural environment and take responsibility for its future especially in light of the concerns over climate change. Being outdoors in nature has a hugely positive impact on our students’ wellbeing both physically and mentally so getting students outdoors within expeditions and Crew is highly important.
The XP Outdoor curriculum can enhance expeditions and Crew by allowing students to develop additional skills and grow their character. It is also an opportunity to teach students through alternative methods which can benefit students that often struggle in the usual classroom environment. Therefore, in light of the above, we are determined to extend our classrooms outside of our school building, into nature and the wider community.
Watching our children standing on their own two feet is the most magical feeling for parents. Watching them fall can often be the worst, but sometimes we must. There is a saying that goes, “The safest place for a ship is in the harbour, but that is not what ships are built for”.
At XP, we create safe opportunities that support and challenge our students to do more than they thought possible, for them to never accept any less of themselves. These opportunities go beyond just preparing for tests in a classroom. Even beyond our learning expeditions, all our students go on outdoor expeditions.’
More information about year 9 will follow in blog posts in our first week back!
Have a wonderful summer
The year 9 team!
Sharing our Stories: 17/07/2026
Beautiful work this week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!
To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
Powering the Future @ XP Doncaster
Colour run fun! @ Norton Infants
Year 6 raises money for local donkey sanctuary @ Norton Juniors
G29 Final product @ XP Gateshead
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
G29 Final product
Dear Parents and Carers of G29
Here is the link to Youtube for G29’s first episode of ‘An Elizabethan Street through Time’. The second episode, both exiting and informative, will follow in the new term!
Happy watching
Thanks for your support as always
Team G29
What Does it Mean to Be Human? XP Gateshead students’ artwork displayed at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary
Year 8 students from XP Gateshead have collaborated with the Newcastle Hospitals Charity arts programme to create an immersive public art installation exploring the question: What does it mean to be human?
Now displayed at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, the installation combines artwork, written reflections and anatomical imagery created by students as part of their ‘Being Human’ Learning Expedition. The work aims to encourage conversations around identity, compassion and organ donation through a thoughtful and interactive experience.
Throughout the expedition, students explored the idea of what it means to be human through a range of subjects, including Science, History, Religion and the Arts. Their learning encouraged them to reflect on themes including resilience, empathy, creativity and collaboration, while also considering the role compassion plays in healthcare and organ donation.
The final installation features large-scale visual artwork alongside written speech extracts produced by students, inviting visitors to reflect on humanity through the voices and perspectives of young people. Anatomical illustrations and layered artistic responses encourage viewers to consider both the complexity of the human body and the emotional experiences that connect us all.
One student wrote: “A human is more than organs, skin and blood. A human is a person with feelings and emotion.”
Another reflected: “Being human is about using our creativity to help others in need. If we work together we can make a difference.”
The charity arts programme team were integral in the development of this project with representatives Katie Newell and Holly Richardson, coming into school to launch the brief with the students. We are incredibly grateful, as this gave the students an authentic experience of working as commissioned artists alongside a client; an invaluable experience. To further the collaboration, Dominic Manning, specialist nurse organ donation with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) also visited the students in class to discuss organ donation and transplantation, not only from a clinical perspective but exploring the moral and ethical aspects further emphasising the importance of the students’ work.
Katie Newell, head of arts programmes of Newcastle Hospitals Charity said:
“Through the arts programme, we are delighted to have worked with XP Gateshead, to create an artwork for display in Newcastle Hospitals that promotes wider conversation around organ donation. Year 8 students met with staff in Great North Children’s Hospital and NHSBT to understand more about the work they do and have made a creative, large-scale mural, in the hope of normalising family discussions about organ donation and transplantation. It’s great to be able to share their reflections and drawings with patients, staff and visitors to the New Vic Wing, RVI.“
Dominic Manning, Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “It was a real pleasure to work with the students from XP Gateshead and the Newcastle Hospitals Charity to explore the importance of organ donation and explain the work that we do at NHS Blood and Transplant. The artwork that the children has created is a testament to the conversations they have had and the reflections they have drawn on. It will serve to encourage people to take a moment to consider their thoughts about organ donation – and when they have, we encourage them to take two minutes to confirm their donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.”
Emmy Tatters, the Teacher who led the Learning Expedition said:
“This project gave students the opportunity to explore a deeply important and complex question through authentic and meaningful work. Seeing their ideas and artwork displayed publicly within the RVI has helped students understand the real impact their work can have beyond the classroom. We are incredibly grateful to Newcastle Hospitals Charity and the experts who supported students throughout the process.”
The installation is currently on display next to the pharmacy at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Flu Immunisations – Information for all parents
Good afternoon, please find the information below from our school immunisation team regarding their vaccination programme for all year groups.
The flu vaccination programme will commence in the Autumn term for children in year 7 up to and including year 11.
The date for your school is 05/11/2026
Can all parents/carers of those attending in September complete the following link before the end of term.
https://www.northumbriaimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/Flu
The school code is: NB148617
Summer activities from Gateshead FC
Gateshead FC are delivering a range of fun, inclusive and engaging holiday activities for children aged 5–16 years, with sessions taking place at both Kibblesworth Park Pavilion and White Mere Primary School throughout the summer holidays.
Please see below for 5 timetables of their summer holiday camp offers.
Their programme includes a wide variety of activities including:
Football & sports activities
Creative activities
Food-based activities
Outdoor learning & nature activities
Friendship building & team games
Sensory play, Lego, giant games and free play opportunities
There are have both:
Funded HAF places available for eligible children
Paid places available for families who do not qualify for HAF funding
Booking links are below:
Funded HAF Places:
https://app.holidayactivities.com/parent/providers/gateshead-united-fc
Paid Places:
https://form.jotform.com/261745261095055
Gateshead United FC/ LJB Coaching
[email protected]
07580 420361
Dear Families
Welcome to our final weekly update of this academic year.
Last week was another exciting week for us at XPG with our G30 PoL (presentation of learning), our final Crew Day of the year, a Sports Day on Thursday which took place at Gateshead International Stadium and a chance for new G33 families to meet their child’s new Crew Leaders.
There was great work achieved as always last week and our students continued to work hard, get smart and be kind even as end of term tiredness kicked in. Seeing students work together supporting each other to be their best versions, leaning in on crew and culture was a real strength. An external consultant spent the day with us on Thursday for our safeguarding and attendance review and emailed this weekend to say:
”…as well as being a strong school, you are a strong XP school. Knowing all of the XP schools, I know what you’re about as a trust, and Gateshead really lives that”.
We look forward to reading her full report when we receive it later this week.
Here are a some of the highlights from our week:
G30 What a Wonderful World PoL
On Thursday we enjoyed a fantastic evening with year 9 students and their families where students shared their final expedition products as well as their learning from their current expedition: What a Wonderful World, with the guiding question: “What is our relationship with the natural world?”.
The evening was structured in three parts, with poetry, artwork and a hosted discussion in our outdoor area. Thanks to all families that left feedback on our exit tickets:
“The PoLs just keep getting better and better”
“Impressive use of the school grounds to teach us more about our relationship with nature.”
“Beautiful poems, well read.”
G33 Meet your child’s Crew Leader
On Tuesday it was great to welcome back our G33 families to a final transition meeting of the year. Like our students, our new ‘family crews’ circled up and got to know XPG staff, each other along with some of the protocols we use at XPG. Can I thank all families for their time on Tuesday, especially our already established families who were on hand offering advice , guidance and support to new families.
Here is a link to a post with the slides from the event.
Crew Sports Day, Friday 10th July
On Friday we had our final Crew Day of the year, our Sports Day. The whole school travelled together by metro to Gateshead International Stadium to spend time in crews competing in field and track events. It was great to see staff and students enjoying time with their crew, supporting and celebrating each other.
This week
G32 Presentation of Learning, Tuesday 14th July, 4:30-6:00pm
We are looking forward to our final Year 7 PoL on Tuesday. Our students will be hosting a gallery walk sharing images and articles from their current expedition, Hold Back the River, which explores the guiding question: How does water shape our world? The evening will also feature the launch of our G32 students’ published book, What’s the Story of Our Community?, as promised back at our first POL in St Mary’s Church in December. Guests will be welcomed in our theatre space with a glass of spritz and a selection of sweet treats as we come together to celebrate the launch of this very special book showcasing the Beautiful Work of our G32 students. More details here.
G29 Presentation of Learning, Thursday 16th July
As our final in person PoL for G29 won’t be held until their performance of Romeo and Juliet in term 1 of the next academic year, we are hosting a watch along of the digital final product they have created during the course of this term.
Our Year 10 students have created two episodes of the historical TV show ‘An Elizabethan Street Through Time’. This will be posted on the XP YouTube Channel at 4.30pm, and we would love everyone to watch along and leave comments praising the students hard work. Please enjoy our first TV show produced by students at XPG. Look out for a link later in the week.
PE sessions this week
After a day of sports and physical activity on Friday, there will only be PE sessions for our Key Stage 3 students (Y7-9) this week. Our PE sessions this week are as follows, please ensure that your child has their full PE kit.
- G32 students (Y7)
- Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week
- Class 2 have PE on Wednesday this week
- G31 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday this week
- G30 students (Y9) have PE on Monday this week
No Extended Study and Clubs
Due to the Presentations of Learning we are not running clubs or extended study this week.
Staffing Update
This week we will be saying goodbye to three members of staff – Rebecca Marshall, Charlotte Fielding and Victoria Downes. Please see the staffing update posted last week for full details.
As is always the case, it’s sad to see staff leave our school but we will always be grateful for the work they have done and the part they have played in shaping our school and its culture whilst they have been with us. I know that as parents and carers you will join me in thanks to these staff for the care and compassion they have shown to your children.
Summer Holidays
We break up for Summer holidays this Friday 17th July. Please remember that, as always, our students finish at 1:30pm on Friday to allow staff to de-gunge and replenish rooms and teaching spaces ready for the new academic year.
Looking ahead
GCSE Results Day – Thursday 20th August
GCSE results day is the 20th August. Students and families will be welcomed into school from 9am to collect their results. We look forward to seeing all of our G28 students and families and celebrating our first GCSE results and the hard work and success of our G28 Pioneers.
Return to school ready to start our new term
Our new term begins on Monday 24th August and we will run a staggered return to school to ensure all students have a strong start to the new academic year.
For next year’s full calendar please see this page. Make sure that you click on Gateshead calendars (and not Doncaster).
Monday 24th August staggered start for G29 and G30 students (Y10 and Y11)
Tuesday 25th August staggered start for G33, G32 and G31 students (Y7, Y8 and Y9)
We will share full details of timings for the first week back to school in a post later this week.
Can I remind all parents of the importance of attendance at XPG – every day at school matters. If students are not at school, they are not forming positive habits and are not performing academically, there is a direct correlation between regular attendance and academic achievement.
As you are aware, at XPG we have a five week Summer Break and a two week October half term break and we do not authorise pupils to take holidays during our school term times.
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
Julie Mosley
Sports Day Arrival Back at School
There are delays to the metro service. We have prioritised getting Year 7 back to school first. They are expected back to school at around 15.20pm. Year 8-10 will follow respectively, but with staggered arrival times of up to ten minutes between cohorts.
Sharing our Stories: 10/07/2026
Beautiful work this week
Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!
To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.
Top of the Blogs
Crew Irwin attending the ‘We Care’ event @ XP School
Year 9 Sporting Leaders Shine at Owston Sports Day @ XP East
Share your stories with us!
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!