At XP, we connect with the world.

Watching our children standing on their own two feet is the most magical feeling for parents. Watching them fall can often be the worst, but sometimes we must. There is a saying that goes, “The safest place for a ship is in the harbour, but that is not what ships are built for”.

At XP, we create safe opportunities that support and challenge our students to do more than they thought possible, for them to never accept any less of themselves. These opportunities go beyond just preparing for tests in a classroom. Even beyond our learning expeditions, all our students go on outdoor expeditions.

Our students laugh and cry as they walk in the sunshine and rain, cobbling meals together on stoves, getting lost as they find themselves, creating stories that last forever.

As our students challenge themselves, developing their grit, determination and resilience which will stand them in good stead in their future years, we expect things to be difficult. We expect students will get some things wrong and make bad decisions. Some students will fall down. Because we expect this, we are there to help them back up and dust them off. Each student has different comfort zones and they will learn from each other. While we treat our students with equity, they step outside their comfort zones to stretch themselves and grow.

Our students draw on these experiences when they climb their own unique mountains, whether it be a maths mountain or a speaking in public mountain, they draw on these experiences to know they can push through and succeed.

And yes, all this helps massively when they sit down for their exams!

Outdoor expeditions

For detailed information on a year group, click on the year heading:

In Year 7

We go Outward Bound at either Aberdovey or Ullswater for a four day expedition on the first day at school with the guiding question, "What is Crew?"

In Year 8

After the summer holiday we return to school and spend the first week back with the focus on crew by answering the guiding question, "How crew are you?” Students and crew leaders will engage in a range of outdoor activities to help answer this question.

In Year 9

Students with the support and guidance of dedicated DofE Leaders and crew leaders, will spend time each week working on a programme of activities which include volunteering, learning a skill, getting physical and finally going on an outdoor expedition. By the end of the academic year students should have done enough to have achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Students are expected to achieve all sections of their Bronze award programme unless they have a valid reason not to.

In Year 10

Students will commence with a new programme of similar activities as in year 9. By the end of this academic year students should have done enough to complete their Voluntary, Skill and Physical sections of the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. Students at this level will be expected to undertake the physical section in their own time. At Silver level, the expedition is voluntary and Students must have completed the other sections of their programme to be able to take part in the expedtion.

In Year 11

Students will be focusing on their GCSE exams this year so after their exams have finished all students will do the NCS programme which includes voluntary work, learning new skills and going on a residential. The residential part of this programme can go towards their Gold DofE award.

Staff Outdoor Expeditions

All our staff go on an Outdoor Expedition as part of their new staff Induction programme.

Duke of Edinburgh

At XP all year 9 students learn a new skill, volunteer within their community and get physical. To achieve the award students need to take part in these activities for a set amount of time. At Bronze level these activities are done during crew therefore every student has the opportunity to complete each activity. Each year group is supported by a trained and experienced DofE Leader who will support students and their crew leader through their programme of activities.

Every Friday afternoon students in year 9 have a session for DofE. In the Autumn and winter terms this session is used to complete their Skill activity.

Around early spring students use this session to start their Expedition planning and training . Students will learn to plan an expedition menu, learn basic navigation and camp craft skills. Students will take part in a local practice day hike and on successful completion of this they will go on to do a qualifying expedition which is for 2 days and 1 night in the White Peak area of Derbyshire. Students will be lead and supported by fully trained and experienced Expedition Supervisors.

When students have completed the Bronze Award they will take part in a presentation evening where they will receive their certificate and badge.

The Bronze Award programme of activities:

Skill:

At XP we deliver an online First Aid course on a Friday afternoon. This is a 12 week course and on completion of it the students will have completed their Skill section of the award. The online course is accessible through google classroom.

Voluntary:

At XP our students are expected to volunteer within our local community. During crew students are involved in litter picking, sorting lost property and choosing and raising money for their chosen Charity. Students need to spend 6 months working on their voluntary activity to complete this section.

Physical:

Student need to spend 1 hour a week for 3 months doing a physical activity. At Bronze level we make sure students have the opportunity to do this by using crew sessions on a friday to complete this.

Expedition:

All students in year 9 will plan, train and go on a bronze expedition. All expeditions are designed to be appropriately challenging for individual students. We go on a day practice hike so students become familiar with carrying rucksacks, navigating and working as a team. It also allows the expedition supervisors to identify students strengths and weaknesses in the team and identify any specific needs.

After completing a successful practice hike and on completion of the relevant training, students will then go on the qualifying expedition of 2 days hiking and 1 night camping.

Presentation:

At XP our Bronze level students take part in an awards evening where they deliver a short presentation to parents and receive their award.