Dear Families

Last week saw a lot of hard work from students across all year groups. Our culture at XPG is underpinned, fortified and sustained by our Character Traits and our Habits of Work and Learning

The character traits are a manifestation of the values and attributes we want everyone involved with XP (students, staff, families and wider partners) to develop and share, and our HOWLs are the habits, attitudes and behaviours we want our students to acquire and hone during their time at XPG so that they are ready for the world beyond school. 

In Community Meetings this week it has been great to hear students celebrating and reflecting on Character Traits and HOWLs when making their appreciations, apologies and stands. 

 

The Day

We have recently taken up a subscription with ‘The Day’  is a leading digital literacy resource providing schools with daily, unbiased current affairs to boost literacy, critical thinking, and debate.

This resource will be incredibly helpful to us in school in support of our text-rich curriculum, depp guiding questions and curricular seams and to provide reading and discussion points in Crew around current affairs and aspects of our Crew curriculum such as PSHE and RSHE.

This resource is available to all students from the homepage on the XP Gateshead website by clicking on the “TD” icon. You can also access from home using the link that will be sent out in a separate email from our Office. Please do try this wonderful resource, it would be great to hear from families that have been reading together at home.

Summer term expeditions 

G32 and G31 students have all had their Summer expeditions and guiding questions revealed and have made a great start to these new expeditions. This term’s expeditions and guiding questions are:

Year 7: How does water shape our world?

Students will investigate how river and coastal processes shape the land and the species that live in these ecosystems. They will also study a range of literature inspired by water 

Year 8: Is Migration worth the risk?

Students will look at push and pull factors that lead to migration, and will study some cases where conditions have led people to seek refuge such as war or climate change, as well as economic factors such as rural to urban migration in India. 

Year 8 students also had a further session with Into University where they looked at self-discipline and what is needed to succeed at university-level study.

New expeditions

Year 9 and Year 10 are both currently in the immersion of their new learning expeditions, more details to follow next week, including exciting news about the Year 8 final product and presentation of learning.

As part of their immersion, Year 9 this week carried out a Conference of the Parties, with each student taking the role of representatives from nations with different and sometimes opposing interests with regards to the changing climate and decarbonisation.

Year 10 used grid references and the features of our school site to create a Geographical fieldwork enquiry, all in the space of two hours!

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Year 11 Final Exams

G28 students have continued to work hard preparing for their final GCSEs. This term already our Media students have completed their non-exam assessment and last week our Spanish students completed the speaking section of their final GCSE. Our G28 pioneers continue to be role models for the rest of the school in the way they are approaching their final exams and the focus they display in every session and revision class. 

The exam timetable is here:

You can get further advice on supporting your children on our Revision Website. Navigate to Parents, GCSE Revision.

 

You can get further advice on the local offer for Post-16 on our Careers Website. Navigate to Students, Careers, Personal Guidance.

This week

G28 Art and Photography GCSE Exams

On Wednesday and Friday our Year 11 students will complete 10 hours of assessment. The art exam represents the culmination of months of preparatory work (worth 40% of their final GCSE grade). During these supervised hours, students will produce a final, focused outcome based on their chosen theme.

A huge thank you to Mrs Carter and Ms MacPhail for all of their hard work and support they have given our Y11 students. Our students have really appreciated their support.

G29 Mock Exams

This week our G29 students will get their first real experience of GCSE exam papers in exam conditions. This is the start of their journey to final exams and we will be supporting them all the way. In the coming weeks after marking and moderation takes place, we will share the mock results with students along with our predictions at this stage for their final outcomes next year. G29 mock exam week schedule is linked here.

G33 Transition – Family meetings

Transition has started for our new G33 cohort. We are really looking forward to getting to know our new students and families this week as online family meetings take place for every child with their family. Families will receive invites to these meetings in the coming days.

PE sessions this week

There are some changes to PE sessions this week due to exams and staff interviews. Please make sure that your child has their full PE kit for sessions.

• G32 students (Y7) have PE on Wednesday this week
• G31 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday this week 
• G30 students (Y9) have PE on Monday this week with an additional session for Class 1 on Wednesday
• G29 students (Y10) have PE on Monday this week.
• G28 students (Y11) have PE on Monday this week

Extended Study and Clubs

Extended study and after school clubs will be running Monday to Thursday as usual this week.

If you have any questions please contact your child’s crew leader in the first instance. 

Thank you as always for your ongoing support.

Dear Families

It has been a strong first week back at XP Gateshead with some great work from students and staff alike. We have had several visitors in school this week who have all commented on how confident and articulate our students are when talking about their learning, the strength of relationships at XPG which mean our students are safe, are known, feel seen and valued.

G32 and G31 students have all both started their Summer expeditions and have made a great start  – guiding questions will be revealed this week.

G30 and G29 saw the culmination of their Spring expeditions:

Year 9: How can we continue to make progress on public health?

G30’s expedition ‘You Give Me Fever’’ culminated on Wednesday last week in a Public Health Conference  where students shared their knowledge and expertise on public health health inequalities in Gateshead today, looking at the correlation between disease and deprivation. Experts invited to the conference included local politicians, NHS experts and health charities and they were blown away by the quality of work produced by our Year 9 students and the confidence they showed when sharing their knowledge. The leaflets on the dangers of alcohol our students have produced were on display and are heading to printers now so local health centres and hospitals can stock these and share them across our community. 

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Year 10: Are we really free to choose?

G29 travelled to Newcastle Sixth Form College on Friday for their presentation of learning for their expedition ‘Act Naturally’. Families and guests enjoyed watching and voting on a debate between classes, dealing with some of the issues that have arisen during term two studies. During the afternoon our students got the opportunity to tour College facilities and find out more about the courses on offer at Sixth Form and student life.

It was a great afternoon for our Year 10 students and they conducted themselves with real maturity. A special mention goes out to those groups who picked up the load for absent students on the day. G29 are really starting to step up, facing challenges head on and showing real resilience. These skills are crucial now as we move towards mock exams in readiness for final GCSEs. 

XPG get their voices heard and demand change on a regional stage 

On Thursday, 12 of our Y9 and Y10 students presented a keynote at a North East Conference at the Baltic, Brighter Future, Young People in the North East. Yet again, our young people were amazing and we have had feedback from many organisations and experts who attended the conference praising students’ confidence, quality and the beautiful work they shared from the last three years of our Public Health Conferences. To get young people’s voices heard and listened to around issues of social justice is key if we want our students to affect positive social and cultural change.

This week

New Expeditions for G30, G29

This week sees the start of new expeditions for our Y9 and Y10. Immersion will take across the week and students will be working hard to find out what their new guiding questions are and the challenges and new learning their expeditions will bring.

PE sessions this week

There are some changes to PE sessions again this week due to staff training and G28 exams.Sessions will be caught up in the coming weeks. Please make sure that your child has their full PE kit for sessions.

• Year 7 
  • Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week.
  • Class 2 have PE on Wednesday this week
• Year 8 
  • Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week.
  • Class 2 have PE on Tuesday this week.
• Year 9 
  • Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week.
  • Class 2 have PE on Tuesday this week.
• Year 10 and 11 will not have PE this week as Mr Devitt is not in school on Monday.

Extended Study and Clubs

After school sessions will all start again this week.

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

Dear Families

Welcome back, we hope you have enjoyed your Easter break.  We are really looking forward to welcoming our students back tomorrow for the start of our Summer term at XP Gateshead.

Passage feedback from G30 families 

We would also like to gather feedback from G30 families following last term’s Passage Presentations so would appreciate your time in completing the following form.

You can give us your feedback by clicking here.

Important reminders for a good start back to school…

Punctuality

School opens at 8:00am every morning. Students should arrive between 8:00am and 8:25 am and there are spaces available for socialising, reading or completing extended study. Students must be on site for 8.25am for the call to Crew. A calm start to the day is really important for students to settle into learning so we ask that parents support their child with this. 

Dress code

Please refer to our website post for full details on our dress code. Can I remind parents of the following expectations around daily dress within school and ask for your full support around this as we move in to a new term 

For a normal day within school, it is not appropriate that students wear:

• Hats, hoods & coats inside school
• Revealing clothing, i.e. revealing the midriff, chest or upper thigh
• Noticeable make-up, including false eyelashes
• Valuable, sentimental or impractical accessories / jewellery
  • For example heavy chains, thick sovereign rings, or false nails
• Impractical footwear:

• For example sliders, flip-flops or high heels.

Daily kit list

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

• A filled water bottle
• Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, glue stick and purple biro pen. 
• A fully charged iPad.
• Their AR reading book (please remember that as part of our reading strategy, we expect all students to read between 20-30 mins. each day)
• Headphones 
• A healthy snack for break (no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks, nut products)
• A notebook

Last term we continued to have issues with individuals arriving at school without a charged iPad. Please ensure your child has a charger at home so that charging issues can be avoided this term. We do not provide replacement chargers. 

Attendance

At XP Gateshead, we believe that 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. Regular attendance builds strong routines, boosts self-confidence, and fosters essential life skills like reliability and friendship building.  It is vitally important that all our pupils attend our school as much as physically possible, and that all stakeholders (students, parents/carers, Crew Leaders) recognise that every day at school matters and the part we all play in this.

We will continue to work hard to improve attendance this term and the ways we support those students and families who need to improve their attendance.  As you know, we expect every student to be in school and want every young person to hit our 97%+ attendance target. Attendance is discussed with students on a weekly basis and crew attendance is celebrated each week along with improved attendance and 100% attendance.

If, for any reason, your child is unable to attend school you must contact the school office before 8:25 am by telephone. This is a safeguarding procedure which has to happen on every day of absence.

We do not authorise pupils to take holidays during school term times. Please note our this year’s and next year’s term dates: 2025/26 Calendar and 2026/27 Calendar. 

The term ahead

This summer term is always a lovely time of year, as the weather improves and expeditions tend to focus on our curriculum seam: protecting our planet.

We also see our pioneering students in G28 move into the final chapter of their time with us. A huge appreciation goes out to the students and staff that worked over the Easter Break in preparation for the summer exams. This is the last push now for G28 students, and we look forward to sharing in their success later in the summer.

This week

New Term – New Expeditions for G32, G31

A new term means new and exciting expeditions for our Y7 and Y8. Immersion will take place this week and our students will be working hard to find out what their new guiding questions are and the challenges and new learning their expeditions will bring.

G30 and G29 Presentations of Learning

Year 9 HUMAN – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

G30’s expedition ‘You Give Me Fever’’ culminates this week. Our students studied public health over time and investigated health inequalities in Gateshead today, looking at the correlation between disease and deprivation.  

G30’s Presentation of Learning will be a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students in school on Wednesday 15th April at 2pm.

G29 – Are we really free to choose?

G29’s PoL will take the form of a debate on Friday 17th April at Newcastle Sixth Form College at 4:30pm. 

Alongside the Presentation of Learning which is in the form of a debate. See Miss Simpson’s post for more details.

PE sessions this week

• Year 7 have PE on Wednesday this week.
• Year 8 have PE on Tuesday this week.
• Year 9 have PE Monday this week.
• Year 10 and 11 each have PE on Thursday this week.

Extended Study and Clubs

As is usually the case at the start of a new term there will be no extended study or after school clubs running this week. After school sessions will all start again next week.

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

Dear Families

Here we are at the end of another fantastic term at XP Gateshead and what a term it has been! 

G32 and G31 Presentations of Learning

Year 8 students presented their ‘What is Power?’ expedition at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead Central Library on Thursday. We were all blown away by the quality and depth of their understanding – performances of Macbeth intertwined with insights into the meaning of the word power in society, science, history, geography, music and art. 

Year 7 students delivered an outstanding PoL, which marked the culmination of a full term’s work across the Humanities and Arts subjects.

Year 7 have also culminated their expedition with the guiding question ‘Is Survival Sufficient?’ this week. Today they have delivered their food boxes to Edberts House to support families in need. A true act of compassion.

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Lego League Tournament

Congratulations to all of our Digital Leaders that competed in the Lego tournament today at Gateshead College Academy for Sport! Students were great ambassadors for the school and successfully navigated some very tricky robotics challenges.

G30 and G29 Presentations of Learning to come

I’m really looking forward to seeing G30 and G29 families at our upcoming PoLs at the start of the Summer Term. See below for details:

Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

PoL on Wednesday 15th April in school from 2pm. This Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this.

Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?

PoL on Friday 17th April at Newcastle Sixth Form College after school. 

Students will be using the campus earlier as part of the preparation for the PoL and also as part of their continued preparation for Post-16. We will post a confirmation of the start time in a separate blog post.

I am sure that you will all agree that our students have continued to rise to the challenge – they continue to work hard, get smart and be kind on a daily basis producing beautiful work, developing their character to achieve academic success.

Thank you so much for your continued support. 

We look forward to seeing you after the holiday on Monday 13th April at the usual time where we will be starting on our next exciting expeditionary adventures.

Happy Easter from all the staff crew at XP Gateshead.

Julie Mosley

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to the final week of our Spring Term.

Last week was definitely a week full to the brim with high quality work and learning with staff crew on Monday, G29 Passage Presentations across the week, Fieldwork for G32 and G31 and Experts in and outside of school working with our students. It is a testament to staff and students alike that we are able, as a small school, to continue to thrive during weeks like this with every visitor to school. This is a product of  the strength of our school culture, the character values shown by students and staff and high quality work seen across our school. Our expectations are high at XPG and I know, we set the bar high but time and time again our students step up to this challenge. 

Every visitor to school this week has commented on the warm welcome they have received from staff and students alike, the openness and integrity shown in all discussions and the strong culture that runs through all of our work. Our students and staff are important and together we are building a school where academic success, beautiful work and character are equally valued and celebrated.

In the words of Finn from G30:

“It is great to come to a school where being a good person is highly valued.”

G30 Passage Presentations

Without a doubt, Passage Presentations are one of the highlights of the year at XP Gateshead and last week we saw our G30 students stepping up to, and indeed surpassing, the high expectations and demand of Passage. 

Over the past three weeks we have seen our Year 9 students work hard to produce beautiful scripts to tell their XP journey to date with integrity and how they have developed as a learner. Students have supported and challenged each other to show real craftsmanship and quality in their writing, lifting each other to produce work better than they thought possible. The spirit of Y9 crew and compassion has underpinned all of this work and the success students have achieved.

We would love to get your feedback as families on the process. You can let us know your thoughts using this Google Form.

To stand and present to an audience takes real courage and maturity, as reflected by our panellists (families and experts alike). Many of our panellists who support the process year on year and have paid special tribute to the quality of this year’s in comparison to what were already really strong precedents. This is testament to the hard work of Year 9, their Crew Leaders and other teachers that have supported them through this process.

Andy Sprakes, Chief Academic Officer at XP Trust, posted a blog last week about ‘The Power of Passage Presentations at XPG’. It’s well worth a read if you haven’t already done so.

The words of Kurt Hahn couldn’t be more true

“There is more to 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” 

Preparing for the culmination of expeditions

As always, the hard work continues in sessions at XP Gateshead. Students have been working hard on termly assessments, completing their final products for expedition and getting ready for presentations of learning (PoLs). 

Year 7 have been preparing for their presentation of learning which will be streamed via Youtube on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm . They have worked hard on their drama performances of the play White Poppies and drafting their creative writing, uplifting lesser heard voices of WWI.

Our Year 8 students have been working hard on their Macbeth performances as part of the ‘What is Power?’ expedition. Our students are showing real courage and stepping up to the challenge of performing in front of an audience.  On Friday they worked with actress, playwright and director Christina Berriman Dawson who was full of praise for our students commitment to their roles, especially our leads who are playing the royal couple – Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.

This is another important moment in developing character, especially courage and we can’t wait for families to see the students’ work on Tuesday evening this week.

Not content with knocking it out of the park for Passage, Year 9 are also now preparing for their Public Health conference which will take place in the next half term. As well as an expert panel, every student will host a marketplace on an issue related to the impact of alcohol on public health. This week will see students working with more public health experts to help them to be ready for this event.

Year 10 are working on preparing for their debate which takes place in the first week of next half-term and stepping up their revision in readiness for their mocks.

As a reminder, please note the Presentation of Learning (PoL) dates. There have been some changes this term due to venue changes so please check these carefully.

Year 7 HUMAN – Why is it important to honour all those who sacrificed in WWI?

This will take place via a stream on our Youtube channel on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm – with students presenting live from school. We will post a link to the stream in a separate post later this week. 

Year 8 – What is Power?

PoL on Tuesday 25th March at Caedmon Hall, above Gateshead Central Library at 5pm. 

ALL YEAR 8 FAMILIES: Please use this Google Form to let us know how many family members will be attending. See Ms Tatters post for full details of the event and how G31 need to be equipped on Wednesday.

Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

PoL on Wednesday 15th April in school from 2pm. This Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this.

Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?

PoL on Friday 17th April at Newcastle Sixth Form College after school. 

Students will be using the campus earlier as part of the preparation for the PoL and also as part of their continued preparation for Post-16. We will post a confirmation of the start time in a separate blog post.

The week ahead

G31 PoL – What is Power?

Students have additional rehearsals this week, and will be travelling to Caedmon Hall on foot on Tuesday. Students will have an earlier lunch so will not need a packed lunch unless usually provided. The forecast for Thursday is mild and dry. See this post for more details.

On Thursday G31 students will need:

• Black (or dark) clothing for the performance, ideally as plain as possible e.g. black jeans/trousers/skirt and black t-shirt. (XPG polo shirts are fine for this performance)
• Usual full kit including fully charged iPad and water bottle
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers (not crocs)
• A coat
• Optional: A packed tea or healthy snacks if they want to eat before the presentation starts at 5.00pm.

G28 Final TSLC (Teacher Student Led Conference) – Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March

These final TSLCs for G28 students and their families will be an opportunity to discuss strengths and areas for improvement arising from the latest round of mocks. Staff will give guidance on where students need to focus their revision over the Easter Break and the programme for students once they enter the flow of daily exams.

Whilst it is important for students to come back energised from the Easter Break, we will also advise on striking the right balance between productive revision and well-earned rest. This is now the final push in advance of GCSE examinations after which students can rightly enjoy a long summer knowing that they have given their best.

G28 Interactive Media Mock

Students in G28 iMedia will have a mock non-exam assessment this Wednesday during the school day. Over the last term G28 iMedia students have worked on manipulating assets, responding to client briefs and preparing proposals. In this block of time students will have the opportunity to practise the 5 hour production section of what will be a 17-hour assessment scheduled to take place across their first week back after Easter.

LEGO Tournament – Friday 27th March

Our Digital Leaders that are part of our LEGO league team will be competing against other schools this Friday. Mr Said has emailed families with information for this.

PE this week

• G32 (Year 7) students will have PE on Thursday this week.
• G31 (Year 8) students will not have PE this week due to the PoL on Tuesday.
• G20 (Year 9) students will have PE on Monday this week.
• G29 (Year 10) and G28 (Year 11) both have PE on Wednesday this week.

Extended Study and Clubs

Due to preparations for the end of term and presentations of learning, our after school clubs (including extended study) are not running this week. Please ask your child to check student notices and our timetable for more details.

Easter Holidays

We break up for our Easter Holiday on Friday 27th March and return to school on Monday 13th April at the normal time.

As is always the case at the end of a term, our students leave school earlier on Friday at 1:30pm to allow for a full school de-gunge and set up of areas for next term’s new expeditions and immersion.

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

Dear Parents/Carers

Without a doubt, last week has seen our G30 students step up to the challenge as they get ready for their Passage Presentations taking place this coming week. Students have been working hard writing with deep reflection about their progress since joining us and their readiness for GCSEs. 

The presentations we saw today were strong and our students spoke with such integrity and authenticity. We are delighted today that all students have either passed their passage presentations, or passed with conditions that need to be met over the coming weeks. Multiple expert panelists today talked about the high quality passages and the quality of reflection our students show about their learning.

In preparing for passage, Year 9 really are demonstrating their readiness for the next stage in their education and their potential for greatness in the years to come. What a joy and honour it is to sit alongside families watching their children shine and talk so beautifully about themselves with such honesty.

The week ahead

G30 Passage Presentations

Presentations continue on Tuesday during the school day and on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. A huge appreciation to our panellists for helping to make this a rigorous process and for their kind, specific and helpful feedback to our students. And of course thanks to you, our families for supporting your children in this important work.

Year 9 Families: If you have not already done so, please make sure that you have let us know about arrangements for tomorrow and whether your child will be attending school or working from home using the form linked here.

G31 fieldwork – “What is Power?”

On Thursday this week, year 8 students will be carrying out fieldwork at The Discover Museum in the morning – this will involve looking at sources associated with suffrage in Newcastle. This will take place during the regular school day – we expect to be back in school at around 3.30pm.

They will then step back one hundred years to explore the stories of the decades-long campaign for the women’s vote as they walk through the heart of the city centre and learn more about the remarkable local women who contributed to the movement. 

The forecast at the moment is cool and dry.

Students will need:

• Their regular school kit
• A packed lunch
• A coat
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers (not crocs)

G32 Commonwealth War Graves Commission Fieldwork – “‘Why do we need to honour all those who made sacrifices during WWI?”

Year 7 students will be carrying out fieldwork this Friday at St Mary’s Church in Heworth with an expert from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. This fieldwork will help students to uncover some of the stories of local people who served for our country during The Great War, ultimately leading to their burial in our local church.

This fieldwork will take place in the morning before lunchtime so there is no impact on lunch.

The forecast at the moment is cool and dry.

Students will need:

• Their regular school kit
• A coat
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers (not crocs), the church graveyard is likely to be muddy.

PE this week

• G32 (Year 7)
  • Class 1 have PE on Thursday this week
  • Class 2 have PE on Wednesday this week
• G31 (Year 8) have PE on Tuesday this week
• G30 (Year 9)
  • Class 1 have PE on Wednesday.
  • Class 2 have PE on Friday
• G29 (Year 10) have PE on Thursday.
• Core PE returns next Monday for Year 11.

Extended Study and Clubs

Due to passage presentations some clubs are not running this week. Please ask your child to check student notices and our timetable for more details.

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

Dear Parents/Carers

It was great to see our students make a strong start back to school last week after their half term break. Students were back to working hard, getting smart and being kind, stepping up to our high expectations in and outside of sessions. 

On Friday, we said farewell to Mr Watson. I want to take the opportunity to thank Mr Watson for his work with our students as a Crew Leader, Human teacher and in the clubs that he ran too. We wish Mr Watson every success in the future. 

Secondary School National Offers

Parents of Year 6 students received notification of secondary school places last week. As in previous years, we received more applications than we can offer places and our admissions were determined by a random lottery overseen by the Local Authority.

I’d like to thank all families who expressed an interest in our school and the work we do here. An appreciation too for our existing families and students for showing our school for the really special place that it is. Again we are massively oversubscribed with around six applicants for every place at the school.

For our new families, welcome to XP Gateshead and congratulations! We are delighted to have you and your children join our school. See our welcome post for more details. 

Experts in school last week

Suffragette expert working with Year 8

Pat Stevens is a Newcastle City Guide, retired teacher, and author who has specialized in researching and sharing the history of the suffragette movement in the North East of England. Pat’s work with our students helped them to consider their guiding question “What is power?” as a historian.

Siemens Careers session with our engineers 

Students in Year 9 and those in Year 10 with an interest in engineering had a session with a representative from Siemens. The focus of the session was careers in engineering, but also keeping an open mind about pathways and ensuring the development of skills, knowledge character is something that is a consistent aim.

Lego team work with the talented Dr Steve Bunce 

Our Digital Leaders’ LEGO robotics team had the opportunity to work at Royal Grammar School on Monday and then again with Dr Bunce on Tuesday afternoon. This is in preparation for a regional inter-school tournament on Friday 27th March.

 

Keeping children safe is our number one priority and this permeates all of the work we do at XP Gateshead. It is the responsibility of us all to work in a way that will safeguard and promote the welfare of all of the students at our school and provide a safe environment in which all can learn and where all students and staff are respected and valued. Our students are taught how to identify risks and stay safe, including online, through various teaching and learning opportunities and we are committed to this throughout the delivery of our curriculum.

We have the highest expectations of our students for their character growth, beautiful work and academic performance at school. When pupils do display poor behaviours, there are clear restorative practices and sanctions that are shared and owned by the community at XPG. 

Our behaviour policy and protocols detail how we collectively support and challenge each other to put things right when we do things wrong to maintain the high expectations of XP school culture.

G28 Final GCSE Exam date

Parents of G28 please note the final GCSE date is officially the 24th June 2026 which is the contingency day. The JCQ state “Students must remain available until this date, as it would be used for exams rescheduled due to national or local disruption.” Please bear in mind that when booking holidays. https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/JCQ-Preparing-to-sit-your-exams_-2025_2026.pdf 

At XPG, G28 students will be presenting their Final Words across the week beginning Monday 22nd June and we will hold our final community meeting on Friday 26th June 2026.

Last week our G28 crews worked on a revision planner for their final months leading to the exam period. Please talk to your son or daughter about this and what support they might need from you. Here is the final Summer exam timetable.

 

The week ahead

G31 Fieldwork – Music Studio Recording – Tuesday 10th March

On Tuesday this week members of our Year 8 Rock Bands will visit Blank Studios in Newcastle. For our students this will be an experience of working in an industry-standard environment to record Patti Smith’s Power to The People. Students in Year 8 have already recorded backing vocals in school and now our rock bands will add lead vocals, guitars, drums and keyboards.

We can’t wait to share this with you at their Presentation of Learning.

This fieldwork is entirely during the school day, however students will need a packed lunch. See Mr Allan’s post for more details.

Iftar Dinner at XP Gateshead – Wednesday 11th March

We are delighted to invite our whole school community to a special Family Iftar Dinner in celebration of Ramadan. This event is an opportunity for families, staff and friends of the school to come together, share a complementary meal and learn more about the spirit of Ramadan — a month centred on reflection, gratitude, charity and community. 

We warmly welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds to attend from across our school community. We would like to particularly encourage families of G31 students (year 8) to attend, as celebrating diversity, building compassion and learning more about Islam links directly to the expedition they will embark on in term 3. 

If you would like to attend and haven’t already done so, please complete the google form. 

G29 Medical Ethics workshop

As part of their expedition with the Guiding Question: “How can we continue to make progress on public health?”, students in G29 will this week carry out workshops with experts from Newcastle University who. Students will gain an insight into cutting-edge research which considers important questions of ethics around developments in medicine such as testing of drugs, autonomy in clinical care, genomics, end-of-life decisions, and the ethics of technological advances such as AI.

G30 Fieldwork – Thursday 12th March

On Thursday 12th March, students will be conducting fieldwork to explore the question: Why are there variations in life expectancy in Gateshead? 

To prepare for this investigation, students will analyse secondary data from the national census in school and now they need to enhance their understanding by gathering primary data through firsthand observations. Students will spend the full day on foot, walking between XPGateshead, Felling Square, and Durham Road (Low Fell High Street) to examine inequalities in the local area. The data they collect will contribute directly to their Presentation of Learning.

Please see the website post for more details.

SPLIT DECISIONS Theatre Performance – Thursday 12th March

“Split Decisions” is an emotive 60-minute performance and workshop taking place with our Year 7 and 8 students. The performance promotes key messages surrounding pedestrian safety, including on public transport, whilst raising awareness of pedestrian dangers such as distractions (phones, music and friends) and risk-taking behaviour. It will also help our students to identify, challenge and cope with peer pressure and influence by highlighting the severe and far reaching consequences of unsafe behaviour.  

PE this week

From this week there is a change to the regular days for PE. Mrs Cadenas continues to work with our Year 7 students on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Mr Devitt and Miss Tatters lead the sessions with Year 8 on Tuesdays.

• For G32 students (Y7)
  • G32 Class 1 students have PE on Thursday
  • G32 Class 2 students have PE on Wednesday
• G31 students (Y8) have PE on Tuesday

 

In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls). 

• Year 9 will now typically have PE on Mondays, as will Year 10 and Year 11.

For Years 9-11 this week, they will meet our new member of staff Kelsey Cairns – this provision is the start of what we know will be a great working relationship with Gateshead College Sports. This week Mr Devitt will introduce our students to Miss Cairns and remind students of norms and expectations – as such PE kit is not needed for Years 9-11 this week.

Extended Study and Clubs

Clubs will all run this week along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. 

Staff Days – Friday 13th and Monday 16th March

Friday is the first of our staff days this half term, the second is on Monday 16th March. Our staff team will be planning for next term’s expeditions. Students will not be expected to be in school on Friday or Monday unless they are G30 students who have a Passage presentation on Monday. If G30 students want to come to school on Friday to prepare for their passage, they must organise this through their Crew Leader.

Looking Ahead:

IMPORTANT – Passage Presentations next week

G30 are working hard on preparing for their passage presentation next week. They will be using Crew time and additional time in sessions to get ready for this important moment in their time at XP Gateshead.

 

Passage presentations are hugely important benchmark demonstrations of learning over multiple years that mark this pivotal transition from Key Stage 3 into Key Stage 4 and GCSEs. During the presentations, students will use their portfolios as a guide to articulate their progress and growth. These presentations are another means by which we help students to develop their character and hone their public speaking. The rubrics that will be used during the presentations can be found here.

Monday 16th March is a staff day.

Students will be welcome to arrive at school earlier than their passage presentation slot to do final preparations, and then should return home after their presentation. If students do not have a passage presentation, there is not a need for them to be in school on Monday 16th March.

Tuesday 17th March

This is not a staff day, however Year 9 teachers will be involved in passage presentations throughout the day so we will not be running a regular timetable for this day for Year 9 students. There are three options for Year 9 students and this day:

• Come into school for the full school day (including staying in school after a Passage Presentation).
• Come into school for a Passage Presentation and then leave with their family.
• Work on extended study from home.

Please can all G30 families use this Google Form to let us know what your child will be doing, and whether they will need a school lunch

 

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

Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome back! We hope you have had a restful half term break and we look forward to welcoming our students back tomorrow.

Please note that this half term is shorter at 4 weeks. We break up for our Easter Holiday on Friday 27th March and return to school on Monday 13th April. 

Our usual reminders for a good start back…

Punctuality

School opens at 8:00am every morning. Students should arrive between 8:00am and 8:25 am and there are spaces available for socialising, reading or completing extended study. Students must be on site for 8.25am for the call to Crew. 

Daily kit list

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

• A filled water bottle
• Pencil case including: pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, pencil sharpener, purple pen and glue stick
• A fully charged iPad 
• Their AR reading book (please remember that as part of our reading strategy, we expect all students to read between 20-30 mins. each day)
• Headphones 
• A healthy snack for break (no confectionery (sweets), fizzy drinks or energy drinks, nut products)
• A notebook

Mobile phones and tech in school

As has always been the case, mobile phones are not allowed to be used in school. Mobile phones should be switched off and in students’ bag all 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.

Wider tech-use

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.

Dress code

A reminder that we ask students and staff to dress appropriately and modestly. Please note that for a normal day within school, we do not think it appropriate that students wear:

• Hats, hoods & coats inside school
• Revealing clothing, i.e. revealing the midriff, chest or upper thigh
• Noticeable make-up, including false eyelashes
• Valuable, sentimental or impractical accessories / jewellery. For example heavy chains, thick sovereign rings, or false nails
• Impractical footwear

As is always the case, we ask for your support in upholding our dress code. See link here to full details on our website.

The week ahead

National Careers Week

Students will be taking part in activities connected to careers in Crew this week, including a virtual careers fair. For G30 this will form an important part of their Passage Presentations which includes a section on their future self.

G30 also has expert input from Siemens this week around engineering and G31 and G32 will be looking at roles in the NHS.

You can access a careers guide for families from the organisation behind National Careers Week, which has some really useful information on pathways after students leave XP.

PE this week

• G32 (Year 7) have PE on Monday and Wednesday this week
• G31 (Year 8) have PE on Tuesday this week
• G30 (Year 9) have PE on Thursday.
• G29 (Year 10) have PE on Thursday.
• Due to mocks in Spanish speaking and Art this week, there is no core PE for Year 11.

In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls). 

Extended Study and Clubs

Clubs will all run this week along with extended study sessions every day except Friday. As usual, if a student attends an after school club or extended study session they must attend the full sessions until 4:30pm.

Looking Ahead:

Staff Development Days

A reminder that we have two staff development days this half term; Friday 13th and Monday 16th March. 

G30 Passage Presentations

The slots for passage presentations will be shared with families tomorrow morning. Year 9 students will continue to work hard on their passage presentations this week and next. Please talk to your children at home about how their preparation is going and how they are demonstrating their readiness for GCSEs in sessions too: remember there will be feedback given on quality of reflection, quality of writing, integrity of reflection and organisation of the portfolio of evidence.

• Monday 16th March is a staff day

Year 9 students will be welcome to arrive at school earlier than their passage presentation slot to do final preparations, and then should return home after their presentation. If students do not have a passage presentation on this day, there is no need for them to be in school on Monday 16th March.

• Tuesday 17th March is not a staff day

Year 9 teachers will be involved in passage presentations throughout the day so we will not be running a regular timetable for this day for Year 9 students

 Students can come into school for the regular school hours or work from home where families give permission; we will be setting additional extended study to support students in their expeditions which students can access independently. 

Likewise, if students have a passage presentation on this day, and families give permission, then students can go home following their presentation.

A form will be shared with you this week to complete once you know your child’s Passage slot.

Please note that Tuesday 17th March will be a regular timetable day for all of Year 7, 8 , 10 and Year 11.

Presentations of Learning

Below are the dates for our PoLs (Presentations of Learning) which will all take place before the end of this term (except Year 9 and 10). It is important to note that we expect for every child to have a family member there to support them.

Year 7 HUMAN – Why is it important to honour all those who sacrificed in WWI?

Due to our theatre space being out of use, Year 7’s HUMAN PoL will be streamed live on Wednesday 25th March at 4.30pm. Students will present in school and you will be able to watch them at home. Look out for more details and the link to join the live stream.

Year 7 STEAM – Is survival sufficient?

Year 7 will also present to experts from Edberts House in the week commencing 23rd March. This is not an event that families attend, students will present their food packages to the workers at Edberts House.

Year 8 – What is Power?

This presentation of learning takes place on Tuesday 24th March at Caedmon Hall, above Gateshead Central Library at 5pm.

Year 9 – How can we continue to make progress on public health?

This is on Wednesday 15th April in school from 2pm. The Presentation of Learning is in the form of a Public Health Conference, hosted by our students. Please note the earlier time for this – this supports professionals from local government, the charitable sector and public health to attend the event.

Year 10 – Are we really free to choose?

PoL takes place next term on Friday 17th April, at Newcastle Sixth Form College, time to be confirmed.

G28 Teacher Student Learning Conferences (TSLCs)

Our final G28 TSLCs will take place on Wednesday 25th March for class 1 and Thursday 26th March for class 2 students. This will give students  a final opportunity to reflect with their teachers on their latest mocks and readiness for final examinations.

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

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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’

G29 Into University 

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

Dear Families

“There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.”

On Monday our year 7 students worked in the kitchen with experts from Nourish as part of their current STEAM expedition exploring the guiding question: ‘Is survival sufficient?’ 

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Our year 7 students have had the privilege of working online with expert Rav Singh, the founder of ‘A little History of the Sikhs’ in their Human session this week. Rav worked with our students on their current HUMAN expedition exploring the guiding question: ‘Why do we need to honour all those who made sacrifices during WWI?’, helping students to understand the experience of Sikhi soldiers and their contribution during WW1. 

G32 SLCs continued last week and our Year 7 Crew Leaders have been full of praise for the courage students have shown in their first SLC and the high quality of their work and presentation. Our students have definitely set the bar high.

G31 SLCs also continued last week and it was great to hear from both parents and students about the step up made in SLCs since Year 7 and the growing confidence and maturity shown in presentations.

This week G29 students spent time with experts from Northumbria University who discussed the Business School and routes into that pathway. Our Year 10 students are also reflecting on their progress and targets in each subject area in readiness for their Teacher Students Learning Conference (TSLC) which takes place Tuesday 17th February. Students will sit alongside their subject teachers to present their learning and share their revision plans and readiness for KS4 exams. Students have been making 5 minute appointments with staff. Please check that your child now has appointments with teachers for all subjects.

Mock exams have continued for our Year 11 students and G28 have continued with their great attitude in terms of maturity, resilience, determination and support for each other. We are really proud of the way G28 lead the way in school and are great role models for our younger students.

G30 Passage Presentation Slots

Work on passage preparation is well underway for G30 students and they are really starting to step up to this challenge. It has been great to read many early drafts of scripts and already, the integrity of reflection and the care they are giving to this work is impressive. Having considered metaphors for their time at XPG, students are currently reflecting on their progress as writers, mathematicians and artists using evidence from their portfolios across Year 7 and Year 8. Students have also been considering the learning journey they have been on at XPG their character development.

There will be slots during the day on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March and some limited slots after school on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th March. Can all G30 families please complete this form to indicate your preference for a slot. We will do our best to accommodate as many first preferences as possible.

The week ahead

National Apprenticeship Week

This week is National Apprenticeship Week. Over the week we will provide students with more information about possible routes into careers through apprenticeships at a range of levels, from intermediate through to degree level. This will include testimony from existing apprentices.

Children’s Mental Health Week 

This week is also Children’s Mental Health Week with the official theme ‘This is My Place’. We know that our sense of belonging as individuals, in our friendships, in school, and in communities plays a vital role in our mental health and wellbeing. To know our place and really feel part of our environment is a basic human need. It can have powerful and long-lasting impacts in lots of areas of our lives, including our physical and mental health, education, employment and relationships. When we feel that we belong, it empowers us to contribute to the world and make a real difference

This week, in crew sessions, we will look at how peers, families, schools and communities can create inclusive and nurturing environments, where children and young people feel they belong and can say “This is My Place”.

Safer Internet Day

It is Safer Internet Day on Tuesday this week. The focus for this year is ‘Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI’. We will be exploring this issue with students across sessions on Tuesday.

Here are some useful Top Tips for Parents and Carers and Top Tips for Young People (across three age ranges) from the UK Safer Internet Centre.

G31 Fieldwork – Wednesday 11th February 

On Wednesday 11th February, Year 8 students are visiting The Great North Museum for a series of talks and workshops to learn about careers and opportunities in Geography and Science. This event is for all of Year 8. Please see the website post for more details.

G32 Fieldwork – Thursday 12th February 

On Thursday 12th February our Year 7 students will visit 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’. Please see the website post for more detailed arrangements.

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) have PE on Thursday
• G29 students (Y10) and G28 students (Y11) have PE on Monday

In line with our dress code, we expect students to arrive at PE lessons with a change of kit which is appropriate for the activity and all accessories removed. This includes sports trainers with non slip soles e.g. running shoes/astro turf (not plimsolls). Please ensure that your child has a full PE kit. 

Dates to note – holiday dates

Please check dates carefully as they do not always fully align to other Gateshead schools. 

We do not authorise students to take holidays during our school term times. 

Spring half term break starts Friday 20th February. We return to school on Monday 2nd March 2026. Easter Holidays. We break up for Easter holidays on Friday 27th March and return to school on Monday 13th April 2026.  See 2025/26 Calendar.

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