Exploring day, night and the phases of the Moon ☀️🌑

In science this week, Year 6 explored why we have day and night, as well as the fascinating reasons behind why the Moon appears to change shape in the night sky.

After investigating these cosmic phenomena, the children were amazed to discover that it is Earth’s rotation—rather than the Sun moving—that causes us to perpetually experience daytime when facing the Sun and nighttime when facing away from it. Building on this, they also investigated the lunar cycle, mapping out how the Moon’s phases are created by its orbit around Earth and the changing angles of sunlight hitting its surface.

This hands-on inquiry led to fantastic writing outcomes, with students producing detailed, accurate explanations featuring high-level scientific terminology. Who knows—we might just be raising the next generation of astronomers and scientists!

Shining a Light on Science

This week, our classroom transformed into a mini-astronomy lab as we tackled some of the biggest questions about our planet: Why do we have day and night and what causes the changing seasons?

Equipped with mini globes, bright torches and a lot of curiosity, the children took hands-on learning to a whole new level!

Sharing our Stories: 25/09/2026

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

Year 2 G-Block – Sketching @ Green Top

Compassion Crew Bear Rules @ Plover

Strong Foundations In Crew Ramsay @ Carcroft School

Crew AJA Outward Bound @ XP

]The bog baby @ Norton Infants

Year 4 English Quizzers @ Norton Juniors

G30 Blog @ XP Gateshead

Year 11 History: Living under Nazi rule @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Sharing our Stories: 18/09/2026

Beautiful work this week

Here’s a selection of beautiful work from across the XP Trust!

To read about other stories from across the XP Trust, visit xptrust.org.

Top of the Blogs

KS1 Community Crew @ Green Top

Open the book @ Plover

Strong Foundations In Crew Ramsay @ Carcroft School

What does it mean to be human? @ XP

]We are making our mark! @ Norton Infants

Stepping back in time at Norton Village Hall @ Norton Juniors

Weekly update @ XP Gateshead

Sports Day Winners @ XP East

Share your stories with us!

We now have a new dedicated news email so that you can send your stories, updates or ideas about potential news articles directly to us in Comms.

It might be something you or your students have achieved, a charity you’re supporting or anything at all that deserves a wider audience.

Write to us at [email protected] –  we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!

Celebrate XP… support a charity!

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

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

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

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

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

Charities Staff can support by purchasing the book

Curriculum Seam: Protecting Our Planet

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

Curriculum Seam: Standing for Social Justice

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

Curriculum Seam: Diversity and Belonging

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

Stepping Back in Time at Norton Village Hall!

Last Friday, September 11th, our Year 3/4 classes took a wonderful trip back to the 1940s with our Fieldwork to Norton Village Hall. It was a fantastic day of hands-on history!

The children had a brilliant time learning what life was like for kids during World War 2. We put away the screens and modern toys to try our hand at classic games that would have kept children entertained during the war years. The hall was buzzing with excitement as everyone played:

  • Hopscotch
  • Jacks
  • Cannon
  • Noughts and crosses
  • Spinning Tops

It was amazing to see how much fun can be had with such simple games! Some of the children even got into the spirit by wearing fantastic 1940s-style clothing, like flat caps and knitted jumpers for the boys, and pinafores with pigtails for the girls.

To really complete the authentic WW2 experience, we all sat down together for a traditional wartime snack. Everyone enjoyed simple jam sandwiches and a warm, comforting mug of Ovaltine. It was the perfect way to warm up and chat about all the new things we’d learned.

It was a brilliant day out, and a huge thank you to all the parents and carers who helped their children look the part!