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This week in Crew, we have been exploring what makes every family unique, celebrating the different shapes and sizes families come in, and reflecting on the many ways they support, care for and help us grow. We also got creative by writing acrostic poems about our own families, using words and phrases to capture what makes them special to us
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!
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!
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.
]The bog baby @ Norton Infants
Year 4 English Quizzers @ Norton Juniors
Year 11 History: Living under Nazi rule @ XP East
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
This week, Year 4 have been flexing their English learning from so far this year by tackling a quiz all around the hall! The children demonstrated their knowledge incredibly well and were able to take on this great challenge! Well done, Year 4!
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.
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
Write to us at [email protected] – we want to hear about it, write about it and celebrate it!
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/
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:
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!
This term, Year 3 & 4 have been immersing themselves into the Second World War. To engage with this, we have crafted a range of Blitz skyline artwork which are all a feast to behold! Well done to all of our future artists!
