LPA Newsletter Friday 28th March 2025

Mr Kirby, Principal and Mrs Jones, Executive Principal

Dear Families

Lodge Park Academy Spring Term Successes: Week Highlights

As we approach the final stretch of the Spring term, its been an incredibly exciting and rewarding week here at Lodge Park Academy, with numerous achievements and memorable moments to celebrate.

Our students have demonstrated outstanding commitment, creativity, and community spirit, making this penultimate week one to remember.

On Monday, Year 11 students were treated to a surprise "shock drop" of prizes during their assembly, celebrating their excellent attendance and exceptional attitude to learning. Tuesday was action-packed, with our U13 hockey team competing in the David Ross Trust's Spring Cup, while our Diversity and Inclusion team hosted a meaningful Ukrainian Coffee Morning, providing vital support for our Ukrainian families. On the same day, Year 9 students participated in crucial RSE sessions delivered by the expert Wayne Stevenson.

Our talented Year 13 musicians also showcased their skills in their A-level recitals in front of a visiting examiner, a testament to their hard work and dedication and on Friday, our U15 hockey team joined in the excitement of the Spring Cup, adding to the competitive spirit that has been so evident across the week.

Throughout all of this, our Principal, Mr. Kirby, delivered inspiring daily assemblies focused on the theme of aspiration, encouraging our students to reach for the stars and aim high in all their endeavors.

We are incredibly proud of the achievements and dedication displayed by our students this week, and we look forward to the continued success of the remainder of the term.

The Senior Leadership Team
Celebrating Dedication and Ambition: Saturday Study Programme Success

Over the past five weeks, more than 60 students at Lodge Park Academy have shown incredible commitment and determination by dedicating their Saturdays to extra study sessions in English, Maths, Science, and History.

This Saturday Study Programme has been a resounding success, highlighting the strong appetite and ambition of our students to achieve their full potential in the upcoming examinations.

These extra sessions have not only provided valuable revision opportunities but have also allowed students to deepen their understanding of key subjects, with tailored support from our dedicated teaching staff. The enthusiasm and hard work displayed by all participants is a testament to their determination to excel academically and secure their best possible outcomes.

We are immensely proud of the students involved in this programme, whose dedication to their studies sets a shining example for others. As we approach exam season, we have no doubt that their efforts will pay off, and we wish them all the best as they continue their journey towards success. This programme has proven that with the right mindset, anything is possible

Mr McGeown – Vice Principal
Why We Do What We Do

At Lodge Park Academy we ask all our staff to use something we refer to as Bosanquet’s scaffolding triangle to help them make support in the lesson bespoke for all students.

Prior to the lesson staff spend a lot of time thinking about the steps to success (a series of steps to help the students navigate a task) and prepare written or visual scaffolds to help the students manage a task on their own.

In the lesson we then use the ideas in this triangle to further individualise the work.

Table Talk

World Down Syndrome day was Friday 21 March 2025. Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes – 46 in total. People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome added onto the 21st pair – 47 in total. Chromosomes act like an instruction manual that defines how our bodies look and how they work. People who have Down Syndrome usually have an intellectual disability. This is different in each person. Some health conditions are more common in people with Down syndrome. Around 1 in every 800 babies will be born with Down Syndrome. Down syndrome occurs naturally – there is no known cause. People with Down syndrome have an inherent right to be accepted and included as valued and equal members of the community.

You may like to discuss with your child about acceptance of all people regardless of disability, race, gender culture or sexual orientation. Protected characteristics are one of many topics we cover in our assemblies and PSHCE lessons.

The Department for Education, this month, published a research report on ‘The link between attendance and attainment in an assessment year’.

The key findings were:

  • At KS4, Year 10 and 11, students who attended nearly every day of Year 11 (attendance of 95-100%) were 1.9 times more likely to achieve Grade 5 in English and Maths GCSE compared with students whose attendance was 90-95% and 3 times more likely than persistently absent students who attend 85-90%. This means, missing just 10 days of Year 11 reduced the likelihood of achieving Grade 5 in English and Maths by around 50%.
  • By attending school an extra 2 weeks of the year (10 days), so by moving from 90-95% to 95-100%, the greatest gains in outcomes could be made by the students.

No matter what the students attendance, there are gains in outcomes to be made by improving child’s attendance.

At Lodge Park Academy we recognise that there may be extenuating circumstances for a student’s absence and genuine illness. In all other cases of absence, the Attendance Team are on hand to offer support and work with other students, families, other departments within the school and outside agencies to support your child’s attendance to school.

Mrs Cooper - Vice Principal- Attendance
History Visit to: Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire.

On Friday 21st March 2025, a group of our Year 11 History students had the opportunity to visit Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. This is a location that the students will be examined on for their History GCSEs

. During the visit, students went on a tour of the house and gardens, while completing various activities and speaking to the Hardwick Hall experts.

It was a great day enjoyed by staff and students alike! We received compliments from members of the public on how well-behaved our students were, which was lovely and made us incredibly proud.

Rhiannon Davies - Teacher of History
Litter Picking Community Initiative

We launched our LPA Litter Picking Community initiative this term starting with Year 7.

All of our Year 7 students have showed their LPA respect for our school environment and their eagerness to keep LPA tidy with each Tutor Group spending a PM tutor time this week working in pairs.

To celebrate maths weekly achievements
Lodge Park Academy Bright Sparx
‘The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics.’

Each week, our students at LPA, complete maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answer additional questions, further increasing their mathematical knowledge. The maths team would like to celebrate these students and recognise their dedicated work.

House Rocket League

House Rocket League competition got underway this week with a number of elimination rounds in the build up to finals day on Friday 28th March.

In Years 7 to 10 Tutor Groups have selected duo teams to go head to head against each of the other House teams within their respective Year groups. The overall winner from each Year Group advanced to the competition finals on Friday.

Congratulations to Archie & Kye (Goshawk), Josh & Kyron (Red Kite), Tim & Jake (Kestrel) and Mikey & Daniel (Osprey) who have qualified for the finals. The finals took place in the main hall, on the big screen during lunchtime.

Results will be revealed next week.
‘Just Dance’ House Competition

Just Dance submissions are in and we have an exciting line up ahead of next Friday's competition.

There will be over 10 performances from students, either individually or as part of a group across all year groups.

This year the competition will be taking place in the main hall, on the stage in front of a live audience.

‘Signs of Spring’ House Photography Competition

Keep those excellent photos coming in… This year’s Photography House competition (‘Signs of Spring’) is underway. Throughout the term we are looking for creative photos that captures and showcases spring – This is open to interpretation but could include plants, animals, landscapes, sunrise etc.

The competition will run across the term and the Easter holidays and is open to all students, staff and wider family members.

All photo entries must be sent to housechampionship@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk including your name, Year Group and House Team.

LPA – Helpful contacts
MASH

Safeguarding concerns 0300 303 1965 Report a concern or request support | Northampton Children's Trust

Childline

Telephone Number: 0800 1111 Childline | Childline

Police (non emergency)

Telephone number: 101

Police (emergency)

Telephone Number: 999

NHS

Telephone number: 111

Young Minds

Mental Health Crisis Support Text: YM to 8528

Online Mental Wellbeing Community

Website: www.kooth.com

Youthworks Mental Health Support

www.youthworksnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Online Health Advice

www.healthforteens.co.uk

NGAGE

A free and confidential service providing advice, information, education and structured support to young people in relation to drug and alcohol use https://aquarius.org.uk/our-services/young-peoples-services/northampton-yp/

NDAS

NDAS offer refuge, outreach and groupwork programmes to men and women impacted by domestic abuse. We also support children to recover from the trauma of witnessing the abuse. NDAS offer a 24 hour helpline as well as several drop in services throughout the county. https://www.ndas.co/

Housing Support

Free information and advice to anyone who is homeless or worried about becoming homeless https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/housing-options/housing-advice

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Contact Us

Telephone: 01536 203817

Email: lpa-enquiries@lodgeparkacademy.co.ukPlease be aware this mailbox is monitored by a number of individuals, please do not disclose any confidential information.

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