Welcome
Lodge Park Academy Newsletter – Week 4 Update
Dear families
As we move into the fourth week of term, it has been another busy and engaging time here at Lodge Park Academy, with a focus on both academic growth and personal development for all our learners.
This week, Mr. Kirby led a thought-provoking online assembly centered around the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day, engaging all students in this important and reflective discussion. Additionally, Mr. Kirby launched our new Anti-Bullying and Tolerance Policy, which aims to ensure our school remains a welcoming, inclusive environment where all beliefs and ideas are respected.
Throughout the week, our House Assemblies, led by a range of senior leaders, focused on the theme of competence, encouraging students to reflect on their skills and progress. In the afternoon, our Principal delivered assemblies highlighting the importance of presentation and pride in the work that we produce—values that continue to be central to our school ethos.
In our ongoing efforts to broaden horizons and raise aspirations, 50 of our Year 11 students enjoyed an inspiring visit to the University of Oxford as part of our ‘Step Up’ and ‘Aspiration’ programme, led by Mr. York. This experience not only gave students a glimpse into university life but also encouraged them to set their sights high as they approach the next phase of their education.
Finally, on Friday, we were fortunate to host an external performance company who delivered a captivating performance of Macbeth for our Year 11 students, providing them with valuable support as they prepare for their upcoming GCSEs.
As always, we are proud of the hard work and dedication shown by all our students and staff. Here’s to another week of success and growth!
Thank you to all parents for your continued support
The Senior Leadership Team
Year 11 Revision Information Evening – Thursday 6th February 2025, 6.00 p.m.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to a Revision Information Evening we are holding on Thursday 6th February in our Hall from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
The purpose of this evening will be to develop a greater understanding of the benefits revision can provide students, discuss a range of effective revision strategies to make use of, and to help support you in your role from home in supporting your child’s revision. We will also have our Heads of Department in Maths, English and Science there to discuss successful ways to revise in their specific subjects.
This evening will serve to provide both yourself and your child with the information and guidance needed to adequately prepare for examinations, giving them the best possible chance to succeed in the upcoming February/March mock exams and, most importantly, their formal exams this Summer.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you there.
Mr McGeown - Vice Principal
Mr Cronin - Assistant Principal
'Its not Okay'
At Lodge Park, we are incredibly proud to be such a diverse and vibrant community. Our family represents a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, faiths and beliefs. In this house, we are tolerant and welcoming of all - regardless of gender, sexuality, background or opinion. Everyone here is welcome and accepted.
However, a key takeaway from the parents survey we did at the start of the year was that too many parents felt that bullying was not effectively dealt with in the Academy. We have to change that feeling because bullying will never, ever be accepted in our home.
This week a series of assemblies have taken place to make learners aware of what bullying is, what intolerance is and why it is so damaging. We have stressed the sternest sanction and, if required, education for perpetrators.
However, the first step of this is staff being aware if and when bullying or intolerance is happening. With that in mind, learners now have an anonymous email address they can use to report bullying. Any reports sent in this email will go to leadership, the safeguarding and the behaviour team and will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
Bullying and intolerance. It's not okay.
Mr Kirby
Macbeth Performance
A theatre company visited Lodge Park this week and put on a fabulous performance of Macbeth for our year 11 students as they near the final stretch of their GCSE journey.
The performance was outstanding - not only in it's quality but also it's benefit for our learners as they cram in those quotes and secure down their interpretations ready for their Literature exams!
Our learners were, once again and of course, exceptional.
Supporting Your Child’s Preparation for Year 11 Mock Examinations
The forthcoming mock examination period is fast approaching, with exams scheduled to begin on Wednesday 26th February 2025. This is a crucial time in your child's academic journey, and we are reaching out to you to ask for your support in ensuring that your youngster is fully prepared for these important assessments.
In the lead-up to these mock exams, it is essential that students approach their revision with a structured and committed mindset. Evidence consistently shows that students who engage in organised and focused preparation are far more likely to achieve their full potential than those who leave things to the last minute and rely on last-minute ‘cramming’. A planned and disciplined approach to revision will not only improve their performance but also help to reduce stress in the lead-up to the exams.
To help guide both students and parents through the process, we will be holding a Parent Information Evening on Thursday, 6th February at 6pm. During this session, we will provide clear and practical advice on how students can best prepare for their exams. We will discuss effective revision techniques, time management strategies, and the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between study and rest. Your attendance at this event will be invaluable in supporting your child to stay on track and make the most of the time remaining before the mock exams.
We strongly encourage all Year 11 parents to attend, as your involvement in this process plays a vital role in your child’s success. Together, we can help ensure that every student is given the best chance to achieve their potential.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to seeing you at the Parent Information Evening.
Mr. McGeown
Vice Principal, Lodge Park Academy
The Importance of Attendance
At Lodge Park Academy, we firmly believe that consistent school attendance is crucial to the academic success and personal development of our students. Regular attendance not only helps students to stay on track with their studies, but it also plays a vital role in building discipline, responsibility, and social skills.
The whole school community – pupils, parents and carers, teaching and support staff and school governors have a responsibility for ensuring good school attendance and have important roles to play. Our target at LPA is to achieve 95%.
The Impact of Poor Attendance
Whilst a % figure of 90+ is usually something to celebrate, with regards to attendance 90% means that a 1⁄2 day missed every week over a school year is the same as 4 weeks out of school or 100 lessons lost. Over 5 years at 90% this is half a year of education. 17 missed school days means that you could drop a whole GCSE grade in all subjects.
Therefore, attendance below 90% is Persistent Absence and attendance below 50% is Severe Absence. This means that below 90% absences may be unauthorised.
Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing the significance of attendance at Lodge Park Academy. Let us work together to help our students thrive academically and personally.
Mrs Cooper- Vice Principal Attendance
Raven’s Programme – A Success in Developing Sporting Talent and Character
We are pleased to share an update on the ongoing success of our Raven’s Programme, which continues to make a significant impact on the development of students in Basketball, Netball, and Football. This programme has been designed not only to develop sporting skills but also to foster character, teamwork, and personal responsibility, ensuring our students grow both as athletes and individuals.
Through high-quality, bespoke coaching, our students are learning to excel in their chosen sports while building essential teamwork skills. The programme provides a unique opportunity for students to work together, learn from one another, and develop a strong sense of camaraderie both on and off the field.
As part of the programme’s focus on character development, we maintain high expectations for all participants. We are committed to ensuring that students represent the academy with pride, both in terms of their sporting abilities and their behaviour. We are unashamedly ambitious for their success and expect exemplary conduct from all those involved, not just during training sessions but in all aspects of their school life. This includes high standards of behaviour, effort, and respect in every lesson and interaction throughout the school day.
To support the pride and identity of our Raven’s athletes, we have invested in high-quality sportswear for all participants. This has already had a positive impact on the profile of students within the academy, fostering a strong sense of belonging to the programme and to the wider school community.
It is important to note that participation in the Raven’s Programme is a privilege, and we expect students to demonstrate a commitment to 96% attendance and consistently exemplary behaviour. Where these standards are not met, students risk losing the privilege of being part of this special programme. We firmly believe that the combination of dedication, discipline, and team spirit is what will allow our students to thrive.
We are incredibly proud of the progress made so far and look forward to seeing even more growth and success from our Raven’s athletes in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support of the programme!
Mr McGeown (Vice Principal) and Mrs Morgan (Head of Sport and PE)
House ‘Hyrox’ Challenge
The ultimate battle of the fittest… The rescheduled ‘House Hyrox’ took place on Friday with students putting their fitness to the test.
A physical test of endurance, students will have to overcome five exercises in addition to 30 laps of the sports hall in a battle to be crowned the fittest student in school.
Participants will go head to head within respective year groups with exercises including ball squats, sled pulls, sandbag lunges and burpees. House points will be awarded to the top finishes across each year group in a race against the clock. The fastest student to complete the challenge will be crowned champion.
Results and photos of how the action unfolded to follow.
House Basketball
Next week at LPA students in Years 7 to Year 11 will take to the court to take part in House Basketball.
The competition starts on Tuesday lunchtime in the gym, finishing on Friday afterschool and is open to both boys and girls.
Each House team requires a minimum of 2 girls in a team, in each year group.
Participants will need trainers to take part in the competition.
LPA House New Year Cup – ‘Race Across America’
Goshawk have extended their House New Year Cup lead over Kestrel by 60km. The biggest movers of the week are Osprey who have closed the gap considerably and now have their sights firmly on Kestrel in 2nd place. Red Kite are still currently in 4th place.
Students and staff have been active this term, submitting screenshots of their completed exercises to go to their House totals. With 2 weeks left to go there is still plenty of time to get involved and make a difference to your house totals. The competition is open to all students, staff and wider families who can contribute to House totals by submitting a distance (km) from either a walk, jog/run, cycle or row to housechampionship@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk.
Each participant can enter a maximum of one entry per day - Entries must include your name and House, supported with a screenshot or photo of your exercise (clearly showing completed distance in KM). We will accept screenshots from appropriate fitness apps such as STRAVA and photos of screens from gym equipment such as treadmills, indoor bikes, rowing machines etc.
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
Year 11 Revision Information Evening – Thursday 6th February 2025, 6.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Academy Closes Friday 14th February 2025
Academy reopens Monday 24th February 2025
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Contact Us
Telephone: 01536 203817
Email: lpa-enquiries@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
Please be aware this mailbox is monitored by a number of individuals, please do not disclose any confidential information.
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