Year 6 have been busy constructing their Solar System models this week. They have been practising the skills of sawing wood and joining materials with a hammer and nails. The models are coming along nicely and the pupils can’t wait to show them off during their presentation of learning.
EYFS pupils from Green Top embarked on a cross-curricular expedition to explore the guiding question, “How do we show we care?” Through engaging activities and three case studies, they learned about kindness, empathy, and their place in the world. Immersion began with The Everywhere Bear, inspiring children to care for a crew teddy bear and fostering classroom environments of love and kindness. Hook week focused on settling children into school while emphasising kindness as a superpower.
Case studies included visits from the school nursing team, exploration of stories like Dogger and The Smartest Giant in Town to examine feelings and actions, and activities like kindness pledges, litter picking, and porridge-making tied to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Celebrations like Bonfire Night and remembrance activities deepened understanding of history and empathy. In the final case study, children compared global settings through books like Elmer and participated in charitable actions, including creating a board for the DRI children’s ward with the message “You are special. You are loved. We care,” alongside donations from their sponsored walk.
Since our first XP school opened we have been welcoming visitors from all over the world. In the last three years the number of global delegates across our Trust has run into the thousands.
Whether sole visitors or part of a group; for example twice in the last year over 60 students from Hong Kong joined us in one day; what these guests bring to our schools is invaluable.
Our students love to take them on Ambassador tours and our staff deliver CPD that allows us to share what we do and how and why we do it.
Sometimes we are presented with thoughtful gifts, which form part of a display in our Comms area shop at XPE.
A boomerang from Australia, a lucky panda drawing from a school in Hong Kong, biscuits from the Netherlands, Chocolates from Switzerland, pens from Australia and beautiful textiles from India are just some of the special thank you’s we have received.
Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew
With the end of our autumn expedition in sight, 5CC have began the physical labour of creating their final product. In DT (third case study), the children were given the opportunity to practice and perfect measuring and cutting square timber before cutting the measurements of wood needed for their project – a model rotating solar system. With several more lessons needed to fully create their model, 5CC will now construct their models in groups ready for the big reveal at their presentation of learning in December. Will their creations measure up? Will their efforts be out of this world? Stay tuned!
What an amazing effort from these guys this week. Over 1211 classes entered the SumDog maths week competition with over 12,000 children around the country playing. 5HJ worked with determination to achieve 13th place with 9 children actually completely the maximum 1000 questions. I couldn’t be prouder of you all! What a team!
The lovely Year 5 & 6 children have been learning all about Children in Need this week and why the cause is so important. They wanted to raise more awareness, so even more children could be supported. We hope you like their version of ‘I’ll Stand by You’ as we stand with everyone who needs the support!
Check out these recent beautiful curations at Green Top School from our Comms Crew!
We asked our students at Plover what Crew looks like and what it means to be Crew – this was their response.
On Friday 15 November Koen Timmers, the world renowned climate educator, visited XP Doncaster to present our students with a plaque entitled, ‘Climate Action Heroes’ in recognition of the work done by students across our Trust in pursuit of our curriculum seam of ‘Protecting Our Planet.’
The recognition is also for being part of the Climate Action Project which allows us to connect with students and learners from across the globe to find practical and impactful solutions to the climate emergency.
Last term, students met a few of the Doncaster Rovers first team players and were able to have photos and get autographs from the players. Students asked questions about the life of a professional athlete and the journey that the players have been on playing for different clubs. It was great to hear the players speak about our character traits and how these character traits link to sport.
In the same week, students visited Hill House school to listen to Olympic gold medal GB hockey player Sam Quek. Her experience as an athlete and the ups and downs she has faced really helped our students to understand that if you want something in life you have to work hard for it! Students were able to have a photo and ask questions to Sam at the end – they even held her gold medal.
Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew
Year 11s Hard at Work Annotating Poetry Anthologies @ XP East
4TE have been flexing their musical muscles this afternoon with some beautfiul and energetic renditions of ‘This Little Light of Mine’. The children had loads of fun and shall likely be repeating the song all the way home!
This week 3EG have completed some challenging maths problems, working collaboratively and supportively with others. They needed to utilise a range of maths skills including addition, subtraction and multiplication. Well done Year 3!
Year 6 have been enjoying their Sing Up music sessions this half term. Today, we learned how to keep a strong, steady beat using cups whilst singing What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor.
