The Frenchgate Shopping Centre has been at the heart of Doncaster for over half a century, welcoming millions of visitors each year. As the city’s central retail and leisure hub, Frenchgate plays a key role in bringing people together – not only as a shopping destination, but increasingly as a cultural and community space. With a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, they actively look for ways to support local organisations, champion creativity, and create environments where everyone feels at home.
Our partnership began when Karen Staniforth reached out to explore whether XP students could display work in the centre. What started as a simple conversation about finding space for student products quickly grew into a relationship built on shared purpose – using public spaces to uplift community voices, celebrate creativity, and continue to make Doncaster a welcoming place.
Since then, Frenchgate has become a consistent and generous platform for XP students’ work. They have showcased a wide range of products: Suffragette scarves designed by students as part of the ‘Fight The Power’ Learning Expedition, eco-art installations with pledges from our primary schools, and pieces linked to social justice and climate action. Their Christmas tree exchange, where XP students place a symbolic present underneath the tree and Frenchgate matches it with a donation, has supported causes such as the Trussell Trust. They have contributed £1,000 towards tree-planting across our Trust, provided exhibition spaces including the “Wall of XP”, supported Plover School’s eco-garden project, and even hosted an elephant decorated with beautiful Doncaster related artwork by our students. The nature of our partnership allows for flexibility, with the lead changing naturally between both organisations depending on their respective needs; sometimes we guide their direction, and other times they lead ours.
This collaboration works because Frenchgate shares our belief in serving the community. Their focus on accessibility, social impact, and being a welcoming hub mirrors XP’s “schools without walls” ethos. They champion local artists, support dementia-friendly initiatives, and use their high-footfall space to amplify stories that matter – including the stories of young people.
The partnership has grown into something bigger than display space. Frenchgate has provided public audiences for student work, funding that supports meaningful expeditions, and ongoing environmental commitments that align with our curriculum seams. It has also become a key location for XP visitors and delegates when they work with us – a central Doncaster landmark that offers a natural entry point into the stories of our students and our community.
As the centre continues to evolve, so does the collaboration. We look forward to shaping seasonal projects, exploring new opportunities, and working flexibly with whatever Frenchgate offers next. This is a partnership defined by malleability, trust, and a shared commitment to helping Doncaster thrive – creatively, socially, and sustainably.
