Our Open Evening Event on Tuesday 30th September is now FULLY BOOKED

Our Open Evening on Tuesday 30th September is now fully booked.

Due to high demand and our limited size and space in our current temporary building, we have had to limit the number of places at the event. If you have not registered to attend, please do not turn up on the evening as we will not be able to accommodate you.

More information about our school:

Our website is also a valuable source of information and will give you a real flavour of the rigour of XP and our relentless focus on academic success, character growth and beautiful work.

Last year we put together an information website for families that were are not able to attend, which you can find here:
https://sites.google.com/xpgateshead.org/xp-gateshead-online-open-eve/home

Information on how to apply for a place at our school can be found here: https://xpgateshead.org/how-to-apply-for-a-place-at-xp-gateshead/

Frequently asked questions about our school can be found here:
https://xpgateshead.org/category/faq/

Sharing our Stories: 26/09/2025

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

Class 6’s visit to 1666 @ Green Top

Amazing craftsmanship and quality in home learning @ Plover

]Crazy Crew Challenge @ Carcroft School

Outstanding Craftsmanship and Quality in X29! @ XP

Crew Hoy – Not Passengers @ XP East

Continuing Our Marvellous ME Expedition @ Norton Infants

Weekly Update for Families @ XP Gateshead

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!

Next week there is a virtual work experience opportunities with HSBC. There are two experiences for students in year groups 7-9 (First Step) and 10-11 (Next Step). These events are taking place outside of school hours, so you students would sign up and then access them from home individually.

FIRST STEP – Years 7-9

Wednesday 1st October May at 4.30pm (virtual session hosted on MS Teams)

“Pitch for a Purpose: Plan the Ultimate Charity Event with HSBC”

  • A 45-minute briefing with the HSBC team
  • Complete the career challenge at your own pace
  • Certification awarded on completion
  • Register now! (students)

NEXT STEP – Year groups 10-13

Thursday 2nd October at 5pm (virtual session hosted on MS Teams)

“HSBC the National Trust – Nature Projects That Make a Difference”

  • A 45-minute virtual briefing with the HSBC team
  • Complete the career challenge at your own pace
  • Certification awarded on completion
  • Register now! (students)

Flu Immunisations

Good morning,

Please see a message below from the school Immunisation team regarding the flu vaccination.

Dear parent / guardian,

 As you will know, all school children in the UK are offered their flu vaccination in school in the autumn or early winter before the flu season typically starts in December or January. This ensures your children have the best protection when flu starts to spread. The flu season usually starts in October, but it is usually worse from December to March. The School Aged Immunisation Team offer the flu vaccination to over 130,000 children in 487 schools.  Some schools will be given a date in November or December.  The children will still get protection even if they are vaccinated late in the school term.

 We change our planner every year, so the same schools are not visited at the end of the flu season.

 Please see the link below if you require any further information.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/#:~:text=The%20children%27s%20flu%20vaccine%20is,children%20(Reception%20to%20Year%2011)

Kind regards,

School Immunisation Team

 

If you have not already signed the consent form, please see details for XP School below.

The following date has been planned XP Gateshead: 04/11/2025

 Can parents please complete the following consent form, for siblings, you will need to complete separate forms for each child.

https://www.northumbriaimmunisations.co.uk/Forms/Flu  

 The school code is: NB148617   

Kind Regards

School Office

G28 GCSE GEOGRAPHY FIELDWORK

On Thursday 25th September, G28 Geographers will be taking part in their second compulsory fieldwork visit of the course, to Seaham.

The focus of the day will be the enquiry question: “How is erosion changing the coastline at Seaham?”

To be properly prepared in addition to normal kit, students will need:

  • A packed lunch

  • A waterproof jacket

  • Suitable footwear (sports trainers or walking boots)

The weather is currently sunny with clouds and 16°C but it may be windy at the coast so please ensure students are wearing warm clothes.

We aim to return to school by 3:30pm. However, as trains from Seaham to Heworth only run once per hour, it is possible that we may not arrive back until around 4:30pm. If there are any delays to our expected 3:30pm return, an update will be posted on the school blog.

Dear Families

At the start of last week we spoke to all students about the need to uphold our character traits in light of the multiple challenging situations that our society faces, where young people – often through social media – are more likely to be exposed to views which promote violence or discrimination.

Teaching through expeditions and having Crew at the centre of our work affords us the opportunity to go beyond the National Curriculum with our students and in addition pay close attention to making a stand for social justice, cultivating diversity and belonging and protecting our planet – key issues of our time and ones that we need the next generation of young people to continue to address.

Whilst the solutions to these issues are difficult, we know that as individuals, as families and as a community the way to face them is with respect, courage, integrity, craftsmanship & quality and above all…. Compassion.

As we have said many times before, our character traits are not just words on a wall. We expect each other to model them and support and challenge each other to do so – that goes for all members of our community: students, staff and families alike. 

Celebrating the development of character through beautiful work in the community

Every week our students demonstrate our character traits in spades, and every week we celebrate these and honour them through our community meetings and share updates here.

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We also take great joy in receiving messages from families about development of character and successes outside of school. Below are some recent achievements of our students, going above and beyond in beautiful work and developing their chacrater!

Will in Year 11 and his brother smashed their target to raise £500 for Crew Franks Charity Sir Bobby Robson thanks to some amazing support!

Harry in Year 10 gained a sliver in Teams Kumite and a bronze in Pairs Kata when competing in the Northern Open Classic International Karate Championship.

Brooke in Year 8 has achieved her maiden first place, and after stepping up to grade 3. This is a brilliant achievement.

Sylvia in Year 8  recently competed in a relay meet representing Gateshead Harriers, running in the 4 x 100m U13 relay team placing 3rd and then 2nd. Gateshead Harriers won the overall competition and secured the ‘cup’!

Hector and Josh in Year 7 also completed the Junior Great North Run, and Hector was awarded club member of the year for his trampolining club as well as receiving an award to recognise his success at national competitions throughout the season with his syncro partner.

Mia in Year 7 has been volunteering with Richmond Exotics, a local reptile rescue and education centre, for over a year. She’s raised almost £300 so far by making and selling homemade bracelets, crochet animals, keyrings, and sweets at stalls and events.

European Day of Languages – Friday 26th September

On Friday this week we will celebrate the European Day of Languages, focussing on the importance of valuing other cultures as well as where the study of language can take you in life, and the doors that a language opens.

Students are invited to come to school in Spanish themed dress on Friday, which could be as simple as a red or yellow item of clothing. We think Miss Fielding might well come dressed in full flamenco!

We will also mark the occasion with a range of events in school, many of which also have a Spanish focus, that being our taught language at KS3 and KS4:

  • Spanish dancing before school
  • A community meeting to discuss the importance of experiencing and valuing other cultures and languages
  • An online workshop with the British Council for Year 9 and GCSE Spanish students.
    • This workshop will feature young adults speaking about their own study of languages and the opportunities this has given them in life.
  • A Spanish themed menu at lunchtime.
  • A game of ‘El Classico’ football at lunchtime.
  • Competitions in school.

Our week ahead 

G30 Class 2 – Fieldwork to the Farrell Centre

Students in G30 Class 2 will be travelling to the Farrell Centre on Newcastle University Campus tomorrow morning – Tuesday 23rd September –  to learn more about their brief for their final project and to see the exhibits at the national centre for architecture. More details here. Class 1 will be doing the same fieldwork next week.

G28 LOOL – Geography Fieldwork to Seaham

Students in G28 Geography will be carrying out fieldwork on Thursday 25th September  to look at the impact of coastal erosion on Seaham’s beach.  They will be travelling on foot and by rail. Students will need to be prepared for the weather and will need a packed lunch. We will return to school by 3.30pm. More details to follow.

G28 LOOL – Religious Studies Fieldwork to a local Mosque

Provisionally we are also close to finalising fieldwork on Thursday 25th September  for GCSE RS students to visit a mosque, connected to their study of Islam for their final examination. This will be confirmed as soon as possible.

Crew Darling – Fieldwork to Northumberland and the Farne Islands.

Last year Crew Darling carried out sponsored work on a Crew day to be able to fund a visit to the Farne Islands and the coast where their Crew’s namesake Grace Darling carried out her incredible rescue. Crew Darling will be travelling to Northumberland via minibus and then weather permitting using Billy Shiels boats to tour the Farne Islands on Friday 26th September during the school day. More details have been shared with families in an email from Mrs Ross.

Breakfast Club supported by Magic Breakfast

Breakfast club continues each morning from 7.45am.

Extended Study 

Our supervised extended study will run again this week after school from 3.30pm until 4.30pm. We will be starting tasters for clubs soon. More info to come in a separate post.

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.

G32 students (Year 7) have PE on Wednesday.

G31 students (Year 8) have PE on Tuesday.

G30 students (Year 9) have PE on Thursday.

Due to our staff day on Monday, there is no PE for Year 10 or 11 this week.

As usual if you have any questions about your son or daughter please get in touch with your child’s Crew Leader in the first instance or email general enquiries to [email protected].

Thank you as always for your ongoing support.  Together we are stronger #WeAreCrew.

Julie Mosley

Sharing our Stories: 19/09/2025

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

Reception: Crew champion music makers @ Green Top

Demonstrating the character trait courage @ Plover

Bye-bye litter! @ Carcroft School

First week back – CREW CHIPS @ XP

Star of the week @ XP East

Rain or shine: Learning outside every time @ Norton Infants

G28 morning fitness, breakfast, revision! @ XP Gateshead

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!

An important part of this year will be considering Post-16 options for the next stages in your child’s education and training. Throughout this year, we will continue to work with students to help them to make good decisions about what they want to do and where they want to go after their time at XP.

G28: GCSE and Post-16 Information Evening – Monday 6th October

We will be hosting an information evening for all G28 families on Monday 6th October at 6pm. This will include information on supporting your child through Year 11 examinations, as well as guidance around helping them to make choices for Post-16 pathways.

 

Our local colleges and sixth forms also host a range of Open Evenings for students and their families to find out more about the courses that they offer. We are sharing these links and dates (where published) now so you can plan if you would like to attend.

Gateshead College

Gateshead College offer a range of A-Levels, Level 2 & Level-3 vocational courses and T-Levels.

https://www.gateshead.ac.uk/support/16-18-how-to-apply/

Gateshead College will publish their Open Evenings here.

Newcastle College

Newcastle College offer a range of A-Levels, Level 2 & Level-3 vocational courses and T-Levels.

https://www.ncl-coll.ac.uk/study-areas/16-18-college/

Newcastle College Open Evenings:

Newcastle Sixth Form College

Newcastle Sixth Form College offer a range of A-Levels and a Year 12 access course. The college is adjacent to the Rye Hill Newcastle College campus.

https://www.newcastlesixthformcollege.ac.uk/subjects

Newcastle Sixth Form College Open Evenings:

  • Wednesday 1st October 2025: 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 5th November 2025: 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Wednesday 3rd December 2025: 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Gateshead Sixth Forms

The following schools in Gateshead have sixth forms as part of their provision, see their websites for more details:

On Tuesday 23rd September, G30 Class 2 will be heading out on fieldwork to the Farrell Centre, an architecture museum in Newcastle upon Tyne. During the visit, students will take part in a workshop on regeneration in Gateshead, which will help them explore and answer their guiding question:

“Why are structures important in helping to explain our world?”

Students will return to school in the afternoon. Please ensure your child:

  • Brings a packed lunch

  • Wears their full kit

  • Has a jacket – the forecast is currently cool, cloudy and dry, but with the weather being so changeable, it’s best to be prepared!

Class 1 will complete the same fieldwork on Tuesday 30th September and will also need to bring a packed lunch.

 

G28 morning fitness, breakfast, revision!

Big shout out to Holly, Maddie, Ethan, Archie, Evan, Daniel and Oliver for attending fitness this morning; great work! The session will be the same Thursday, so anyone who slept in today is welcome to join Thursday, please let Miss Tatters or Mr Devitt know. Can you also aim to arrive by 7:10am so that we can make a prompt 7:15am start please.

There were an additional 13 students joined for English Literature revision this morning at 8:05am – well done to; Sonny, Rafa, Bella, Louis, Anya, Katie, Jess, Macie, Daria, Sabrina, Daniel, Charlie, Lily. This morning focused on Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney and the slides are on classroom if you missed it.

Thursday morning will be a history session focused on the Victoria Tunnels during the Industrial Period. The session will start promptly at 8:05am so if you want breakfast, you must arrive earlier to get this. Thanks to Katie, Anya and Lily for offering some helpful critique of the session too. We welcome any critique from students and are committed to ensuring these sessions are as helpful as possible.

We hope to see everyone again (plus some extras) on Thursday.