G28 Are we really free to choose? POL date and location

20th March 2025Emmy Tatters

The POL for the current expedition; Are We Really Free to Choose? needed to change due to crew day. This has now been scheduled for Wednesday 16th April, starting at 4:30 at Newcastle Sixth Form College. As always, it is important that every student has someone attend the POL to share in their successes and support them. There will also be important information regarding work experience which will be shared with parents at this event, as well as a celebration of DofE success too.
We are also excited that this will take place at Newcastle Sixth Form College. This is partially because our theatre in school is still out of action but also because it gives us the opportunity to familiarise the students with a possible post-16 destination. Students will be working ‘on campus’ in the college throughout the day, utilising the independent and collaborative work spaces, giving them a feel for campus style, post-16 learning. They will also be given a tour of the college and receive input regarding the Newcastle Sixth Form college offer. We feel that this is especially pertinent for this expedition as their post-16 destination is an important choice that students can only make ‘freely’ if they are fully informed around the opportunities available to them.
There is some free on street parking on the road outside the entrance to the college (Elswick E Terrace). For public transport, the nearest metro is central station (a 15 minute walk from the college).
Please fill in this google form to confirm your attendance and to confirm that someone will be taking your child home from the POL.
Please reach out to your child’s crew leader in the first instance if there are any problems with this.
Thanks for your ongoing support in helping our students to challenge themselves to become the best version of themselves.

Another chance for G28 and G29 to order a Science Revision guide

By Darren Mead20th March 2025

We are pleased to offer your child the opportunity to purchase the CGP GCSE Combined Science AQA Revision Guide, an excellent resource to support their studies.
We highly recommend this revision guide as a valuable tool to support your child’s preparation for their GCSE Combined Science examinations.
Pricing:
By purchasing these through school you will be able to buy at a discounted price.
Foundation or  Higher Level Revision Guides: £6.75 (RRP £11.99)
Exam Practice Workbook – Higher or Foundation (includes answers): £7.50 (RRP £11.99)
To buy these please use the XP Trust Shop. We would recommend buying the Higher editions as they contain all of the information for both foundation and higher entry. We can direct students at a later date to content that is relevant to their GCSE entry in year 11. Please select the ‘pick up’ option at checkout.
In the first instance could you please order before Wednesday 26th of March, so we can place the order. If you miss the deadline we will be organising a second order later in the next half term..
https://shop.xptrust.org/collections/xp-gateshead-revision-guides
Many thanks.
The Science Crew.

Crew Shakespeare Sporting Stars!

By Stephanie Jamison19th March 2025

Huge congratulations to Crew Shakespeare (G31) sport stars Evie and Abbie on their beautiful work over recent weeks.

Abbie starred in her first competitive ice hockey match with the Whitley Warriors after lots of hard work to make the team and train – we’re mega proud of you Abbie!

Abbie geared up for her Whitley Warriors match

Evie took home a medal for her shot put event at her regional indoor athletics event and has been invited to start shot put training, as well as smashing her personal bests in her 60m sprints!

Evie taking her place on the podium

Year 8’s No-Bake Sweet Treats – On Sale Tomorrow!

By Michelle Ross18th March 2025

Our Year 8 students have been working incredibly hard during their Crew Day today creating delicious no-bake sweet treats that they can’t wait to share with the whole school.

These tasty treats will be on sale tomorrow at break time for both students and staff to enjoy. Prices will range from 65p to £1.25, with all profits going to Crew charities.

Come and treat yourself to something sweet while supporting great causes.

Change to lunches this week

By XP Gateshead Office18th March 2025

There is a change to the advertised lunches this week. Tomorrow on Wednesday 19th March it will be Indian curry, and then on Friday it will be Southern Fried Chicken.

Weekly Update for Families – w/c Monday 17th March

By Julie Mosley17th March 2025

Dear Parents/Carers

Without a doubt, last week has seen our G29 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. 

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.

This feedback from a panellist and member of our local governing committee really sums up what a special day it has been today:

“What an absolute privilege it was to be able to be part of the passage presentations this morning. The work that is being carried out within XP Gateshead is transformational in the young people’s lives within the school community. This was evident to see in the passage presentations that I was involved with, in terms of character growth and the journey that students are on with regards to being owners of their own learning. 

XP Gateshead is truly a very special place and it is these reflective processes that allow us to really take notice of the amazing work that happens every day within school. “

NHS Fieldwork

Huge praise today to the Year 9 students that took time out of their passage prep and on a staff day to visit the QE hospital in Gateshead. This visit was in support of the upcoming public health conference after Easter. Well done and thanks for your commitment Fallyn, Imogen, Georgia, Eleanor and Scarlett!

Presentations of Learning for Year 7 and Year 10

We have made the difficult decision to postpone the scheduled Presentations of Learning in this half-term for Year 7 and Year 10. Unfortunately, our theatre space is still not ready for use at the moment.

Year 10s Presentation of Learning will now take place in the first week back following the Easter break in the w/c 14th April. We are working with a range of partners to find a suitable venue for the debate and will let you know the date and time as soon as we possibly can.

Year 7s Presentation of Learning will instead be recorded in school and steamed for families to watch with their children at home via Youtube. This will also take place in the first week back after the Easter Break. 

(Year 8s Presentation of Learning is still taking place next week at Caedmon Hall on Thursday 27th March at 5pm).

The week ahead

G29 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 this form.

G31, G30 and G28 Crew Day – Tuesday 18th March

On Tuesday whilst passages are taking place, our Year 7, 8 and 10 students will spend the day with their crews giving staff and students the opportunity to ‘tend to’ crew. Returning to agreed crew norms, developing team work, crew identity and wellbeing is key to our continued success. 

‘If we get Crew right, we get everything’ right at XPG, so it is vital we take the time to ‘cultivate crew’.

Year 7 will be working as a team focusing on collaboration, spending time in the kitchen continuing to learn base recipes which will allow them to cook a range of dishes; this week it is a batter-based recipe of miniature toad in the holes.  They will also be carrying out stewardship activities to improve our school site.

Year 8 students are preparing for a bake sale to raise money and awareness of their chosen crew charities, they will also be spending time outdoors creating art in the local area. 

Year 10 students will be working looking at revision techniques and healthy study habits so they are equipped to look after themselves in the coming months and rise to the challenge of GCSE exams.   

Crew days allow us to focus and build our strong school, attend to relationships in crew and ensure we are supporting and challenging each other to be the best versions of ourselves.  It is key that our students realise the positive impact that they can have on each other and their community. Without this strong culture and shared commitment, we would not be able to do the work we do here at XPG.  

Teacher Interviews Wed-Fri this week

This week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we will be interviewing candidates to join our staff Crew in Art, HUMAN and Spanish. This is our final year of staffing the school to our full capacity. Whilst this does impact the timetable, making sure that we have the best staff in front of our children is one of the most important things that we can do as a school and we know that our students will do us proud in the interview lessons and panels as part of the process. Candidates that experience interview days at our school are always at pains to praise our students for how articulate they are and their kindness and pride in their school.

PE this week

  • G31 (Year 7)
    • All Year 7 students will have PE on Wednesday this week
  • G30 (Year 8)
    • All Year 8 students will have PE on Friday this week
  • G29 (Year 9) 
    • All Year 9 students will have PE on Thursday this week
  • G28 (Year 10)
    • All Year 10 students will have PE on Thursday this week

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

G31 Families – Staying Alive: Food donations for families in need

By Stephanie Jamison17th March 2025

As you know, students have been using the Jack Munroe book ‘Cooking on a Bootstrap’ to plan and try out recipes.

 

Students have now collated all of their plans and we have put together the ingredients for a collection of “Hello Fresh” style boxes using recipes from the book. Students have been really thoughtful in their recipe selections, making adjustments to recipes to ensure they are family friends, delicious and provide a range of nutrients. Students have also worked hard in Computer Science honing their spreadsheet skills in order to generate nutritional information data tables for their selected recipes.

Once put together, the two food boxes will be donated to Edberts House, who will pass them on to two families in need; this is such important work that the students have done to have a positive impact on their community.

We are now asking for small donations for the non-perishable items to go into these food boxes. It would be fantastic to have all of the items needed by Monday 24th March.

In Google Classroom students have access to a spreadsheet where they have each indicated which ingredient/s they think that they can donate. Please have a conversation with your child about this. If there are any problems in sourcing the ingredients, please do ask your child to talk to their Crew Leader.

We will provide the additional perishable items so there is no need to provide anything beyond what your child has said they think they can contribute.

Please ask your child to give their donation to school and we will store these until we are ready to donate the boxes. All donations will be gratefully received and put into the food boxes alongside the week’s worth of recipes from the book. Of course, most importantly, the food will go to families that need it the most. This is what we do at XP, our curriculum and your children’s work impacts positively on our community.

We are so proud of your children for their compassion and the work that they have done on these boxes, and of course, thanks to you for your continued support.

Beautiful work from Mohammed in Year 7

By Martin Said16th March 2025

Mohammed’s dedication and determination shone through in his recent karate grading, earning him ‘A’s across the board and a well-deserved yellow belt. His drive to push even further and aim for two grades next time is truly inspiring. We couldn’t be prouder—well done, Mohammed!

Year 6 Transition Timeline 2025

By XP Gateshead Office10th March 2025

Dear Year 6 Families

We are delighted to be able to announce the calendar of transition events that we have planned to welcome your children and your family into our community at XP Gateshead.

More details on each of these events will follow in due course, but here is an overview of the activities so that you can plan ahead and discuss this with your child.

Online Family Meetings

In the coming weeks we will send you details of how to book an online family meeting. Meetings will be in the fortnight commencing 28th April. These take place via Google Meet during the evening and are with a senior leader in the school. The meetings are a first chance for us to meet you and your child, to find out about them and discuss our expectations as a school. Your meeting will last up to 30 minutes. We will send details of how to book an appointment to you on 24th March.

Primary School Visits

We aim to visit every child in their Primary School in the summer term. This is done by members of our transition team and means that as well as seeing your child in an educational setting, they get to know another friendly face before they come to us.

In-Person Information Evening for parents/carers

We will be holding an In-Person Information Evening at our school on 22nd May at 6pm.

It is vital that all families attend as we will give important information about the Outward Bound course that takes place for all students at the start of Year 7 as well as our iPad scheme. In addition, we will address some of the misconceptions about our school so that families are completely clear on what we are: ‘A mainstream school with a relentless focus on beautiful work, character growth and academic success’, and also what we are not. There will be an opportunity for you to ask us questions too of course.

Transition Days at XP Gateshead

Your children will join us in school on Tuesday 1st July and Wednesday 2nd July. Again more details of these days will follow in due course. Like a regular school day, students can arrive in school from 8:00am but need to be present by 8:25am. Our school day finishes at 3:15pm.

Your child will follow a typical day at XPG on both days which include some crew sessions, expedition sessions and a community meeting.

Meet your child’s Crew Leader

Following the transition days, on Tuesday 8th July we will invite parents and carers into school in the evening to meet your child’s new Crew Leader. We expect all families to attend this event. We are proud of the strong relationships that we form with families at XP Gateshead and this is an important opportunity for you to begin to build that relationship with the person that will be the key adult for your child when they start with us. As well as our cross-curricular learning expeditions, our pastoral structure Crew is what sets us apart from other schools.

We start school earlier than other schools in the local authority to allow for the Outward Bound experience. Our first day of term for year 7 is Tuesday 26th August 2025. More info on our term dates can be found by clicking here.

We are really excited to get to know our newest students and their families over the coming months.

Welcome to our community and crew at XP Gateshead!