XP Trust – Above all, Compassion

We’re looking for a SEND Learning Coach at Green Top!

21 October 2025

Geoff Hewitt

Find out more and apply here to #JoinOurCrew: https://xptrust.org/green-top-send-learning-coach/

We’re looking for a Cleaner at XP Doncaster!

14 October 2025

Geoff Hewitt

Join our Crew! XP Doncaster is looking for a Cleaner! Be part of a team that makes a difference every day. Apply now: https://xptrust.org/were-looking-for-a-cleaner-at-xp-doncaster/

We’re looking for an awesome STEAM Teacher at XP Doncaster!

13 October 2025

Geoff Hewitt

Don’t miss this opportunity to join our Crew at XPD – find out more here: https://xptrust.org/xp-doncaster-steam-teacher/

From Dream to Legacy: Green Top School Launches New Library and Community Book Drive

10 October 2025

Geoff Hewitt

A dream that began with a handful of students and a shared love of reading has blossomed into a beautiful new library at Green Top School in Thorne – and now the team behind it are inviting the community to help keep it growing.

The new library, officially opened this week, was the result of months of planning, creativity, and fundraising led by students and their teacher Mrs Becky Knowles, with vital support from the Friends of Green Top. The launch event brought together families, staff, and community partners, with special guests including representatives from XP Trust and Councillor Mark Houlbrook.

“This has been such a special project to lead,” said Miss Rebecca Knowles, who worked with students throughout the process. “Our children have shown true commitment – from fundraising and planning the space to hosting the opening event. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our Friends of Green Top, who helped make our dream a reality. The new library represents everything we believe in at Green Top: collaboration, compassion, and a love of learning.”

The library’s transformation was captured in a short film created by students, showcasing how the project grew from an idea into a lasting legacy for the school. Now, Green Top is launching an ongoing book drive to ensure the shelves remain full of stories that inspire.

“We’re asking anyone in the community who can to donate books suitable for children aged up to 11,” said Headteacher Kelly Overson. “Whether it’s a much-loved favourite from home or a new title, every donation will help more children experience the joy of reading. We’re so proud of what our students and community have achieved and we’d love everyone to be part of the next chapter.”

The book drive was inspired in part by the generosity of author Phil Sheppard, who attended the library’s opening and donated a wonderful collection of books to help launch the space. His contribution reflects the spirit of the project – bringing people together through reading and shared values.

Donations can be made by bringing books directly to Green Top School reception or by contacting the school. The appeal is ongoing, with all donations helping to strengthen the school’s reading culture and provide new stories for generations of learners to come.

The Green Top library now stands not just as a place to read – but as a reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with imagination, compassion, and purpose.

How to donate

Bring books (reading age up to 11) directly to Green Top School reception, or contact the school office [email protected]

The Power of Curation at XP Trust

3 October 2025

Andy Sprakes

Last week, on Tuesday, I visited Carcroft Primary to work alongside Crew Leaders. Whilst there I came across some beautiful curation of pupil work from the Spring Term of last year. The expedition was entitled, “Fight for Your Rights” and pupils had attempted to answer the guiding question, ‘How Can One Moment Influence Our Future?’

Pupils had engaged with a number of Case Studies including History, Art and Science. In Case Study One pupils learnt about historical figures who had made stands for human rights often in times where others were intent on suppressing them usually through fear and ignorance. Pupils studied the Civil Rights movement in the USA in the 1960s and compared and contrasted this to the women’s suffrage movement in the early twentieth century.

Pupils moved onto an Art Case Study where they considered the way artist Jonathan Yeo uses light and shade in his portraits. Using this as inspiration, and drawing on their Science studies about the nature of light and vision, pupils practiced a range of techniques to ensure their own picture had appropriate lighting and shading, based on the direction of light, and carefully considered colour choice to evoke a specific mood. Portraits were representations of the people they had studied who had inspired them the most.

Pupils used this learning to write speeches about the importance of human rights and why we must protect them.

The quality of work speaks for itself. What was particularly noteworthy was the blend of pupil work alongside design and curation work supported by our Comms Team. It was also lovely to see exploded quotations where pupils had picked out key learning points from the expedition, beautiful pupil writing and stunning artwork.

Finally, our students often provide an answer to the learning expedition’s guiding question and it was lovely to see this visually represented by one of the children to capture the connections and the progress in their learning through a particular Case Study.

In conclusion, the work I saw was not only important but also beautiful.

Andy Sprakes

Chief Academic Officer, XP Trust.

Sharing our Stories: 03/10/2025

3 October 2025

Geoff Hewitt

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.

G29: What makes a great education?

Last term, students in G29 at XPG were challenged to give a keynote at the MTEM conference on what makes a great education. Over a week they drafted and put together an incredible speech which they have now recorded back in school.