Lodge Park Academy's Newsletter – Summer Term
Dear Families,
“There is nothing permanent except change.”
This was a key argument proposed by Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher who inspired Socrates. He understood that one of the only constants in life was, ironically, that little is constant and all things will change. Life in our academy reflects this progression; within the space of three weeks, we bid a sad farewell to our Year 11 students through their Leavers’ Assembly and Prom; we will be warmly welcoming our new prospective students to our Year 6 Transition Days on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July. The Lodge Park family is constantly evolving but its core principles remain the same. Those Year 6 pupils coming to experience our academy for the first time, will be starting a journey that will last them five years (or seven, if they attend our exceptional Sixth Form College). We want them to aspire and be ambitious, with the courage and resilience necessary to achieve great things but never losing sight of the gratitude and respect that make their journey a meaningful one. The American science fiction writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, Isaac Asminov believed:
“It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
So please join us in welcoming a new group of people, diverse and unique, to our ever-expanding Lodge Park family. We look forward to celebrating their successes, sharing in their mistakes, helping them to learn from these moments of adversity and applauding their triumphs in their time with us. Best Wishes,
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Culture Day 3/7/26
Today was a beautiful, beautiful day of colour and energy, celebrating the 52 nations that make up the Lodge Park family. The day felt like a wonderful celebration of everyone's unique stories and heritage, and it's been so special to hear from our staff and students what their roots mean to them, and how proud they are of where they or their family have come from. Honestly - I've not stopped smiling all day long!! We kicked off the day with a 'Parade of Nations', with a flag of every one of the 52 LPA nations represented. Students were drumming at break time, and we were treated to a fashion show, and a chance to taste the flavours from across the world at lunchtime. It's been a wonderful day, capturing all that is beautiful about our school.
Ofsted 2026
We were delighted to have the release of our Ofsted report celebrated in the Northamptonshire Telegraph! Please do have a read...
UK Parliament Ambassador Programme
Mrs Langley shares her experience and reflections on the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme she took part in last week.
I was lucky to be selected to attend a three-day teacher training course down at Parliament. 65 teachers from Primary and Secondary schools around the UK attended to learn about democracy in the UK and how the Parliamentary system operates and then share our ideas on how we can bring this back into our schools to inspire our staff and students to get involved.
The course consisted of behind-the-scenes tours of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Supreme Court. We attended question time in the House of Commons with Rachel Reeves and had Q & A sessions with a number of Members of Parliament, including Mr Speaker and Parliamentary staff. The finale to the programme was attending an event at Mr Speakers state apartments to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the programme where Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) highlighted his support for the programme in imparting knowledge to teachers so that this can be taken back into our schools and shared with our colleagues and students.
Attending the UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Programme was a brilliant experience - I enjoyed every minute and hope I can use what I have learned to inspire our students here at LPA and other schools in the Trust. The 18–25-year-old age bracket has consistently the lowest voter turnouts. It is more important than ever to empower young people to take an interest in our Parliament system and understand how politics affects all of us. Our students at LPA have so much to offer, and I hope that as a school we are able to support them to play an active role in democracy. We acknowledge that all photographs used in this article are subject to copyright under the following: Teacher Ambassadors visit Parliament 2026 22-24/06/2026 Copyright: ©House of Commons
The County School Challenge
Our County Schools Challenge Team made their final preparations for the Northamptonshire County Schools Challenge Grand Final last week honing their presentation skills and building their confidence by sharing their ideas in our four House assemblies. They showed true LPA resilience delivering their presentation in front of their peers. Our Y9 team of Beth R, Davina D, Gabi A, Harry J, Monika L, Pippa M, Trish N and Emily J were accompanied by Miss Webster and Miss Baker. Trish N and Emily were involved in the groundwork preparations leading up to the semi-final, but were unfortunately unable to take part in the Grand final. The team were amazing! They were one of eight schools who made it through to the Grand Final. 28 schools from across Northamptonshire initially took part in the project, and 22 schools attended the semi-final presenting in front of a Dragons panel. However, on the stage at the Castle Theatre for the Grand Final under the bright lights with a large audience our Year 9 team did themselves proud. They showed true LPA courage, ambition and resilience delivering their presentation eloquently and answering questions clearly when they were put on the spot by the Dragons.
LPA Teacher Bounces ..... Again
Our very own Miss Smith - Teacher of History, competed in the last National League Trampoline qualifier at the weekend at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Miss Smith finished second in the qualifier and this means that she will compete in the finals in October 🙌
To watch Miss Smith in action, follow our Facebook page on the link below: https://www.facebook.com/lodgeparkacademy
Last Above & Beyond nominations for this academic year
Tutors have selected each term two students in their tutor group who have gone "Above & Beyond" demonstrating at least 1 of our LPA core values of Ambition, Aspiration, Respect, Resilience, Courage & Gratitude consistently and are deserved of recognition on our Above & Beyond boards in the House Hub area of the Zone and celebrated during House assemblies this week. Now that we have completed all 12 cycles for the year all students selected will go into a Prize draw at the end of this term and there will be one lucky winner for each House. Heads of House have also selected from all students nominated in their House a Star of the Term for each of the six terms. Stars of each term for each House will go into an additional special prize draw where there will be one lucky winner out of the 24 students. Winners will be announced at the end of this term. Congratulations go to all students who have been recognised for demonstrating our core values consistently each term with their star displayed on our House Above & Beyond boards in the House Hub area in the Zone.
Save the Date - Music Summer Showcase
The LPA Music Department is excited to invite you and your loved ones to this year's Summer Showcase - an evening of live music that celebrates our students. For some of our performers, it is a warm-up for the final of DRET Musician of the Year! This year we have refreshments by our Student Council, who are raising money for their House Charities, and our Prom Committee who are fund raising money for their Prom. Entry to the Showcase is free, doors open at 4.30pm and the showcase starts at 5pm. We hope to see you there!
LPA Music Department
Music - Make Music with Friends
Make music with friends – NEW group lessons from September 2026! From September 2026, we’re excited to offer new group music lessons in school, delivered by the specialist teachers from Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT). Why learn music? Learning an instrument can help children:
- Build confidence and wellbeing through self-expression and a sense of achievement
- Boost concentration and attainment by developing listening, memory, coordination and perseverance
- Develop teamwork and friendships by making music alongside others
What the lessons involve 30-minute weekly lessons in school time Small, friendly groups (4–8 pupils)
- Best for beginners or follow on from WCIT (whole class instrumental teaching), with groups matched by stage.
- A supportive, encouraging way to learn alongside friends
Instruments available: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), Woodwind (clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, saxophone), Brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba), Voice Cost: £75.68 per term (that’s £6.88 per 30-minute lesson) for high-quality specialist tuition including a FREE instrument loan! If your child would like to take part, please contact the school office to request the relevant forms and return them by 9.00am on Monday 13th July 2026. Late requests may be added to a waiting list. Families accepting a place will be committing to the full academic year of lessons.
LPA Readers recommend...
Lost on Gibbon Island Review by Riley and Damon We recommend this book because the climax of story encapsulates adventure and action. The exposition begins slowly, but quickly builds into rising action. The writer uses fragmented narrative and lapses in time in to convey the trauma of becoming shipwrecked. We have learnt the importance of survival skills and the necessity of the conversation of animals. We have also learnt to interrogate information which we might be given and to make our own informed choices. A brief summary of the book – a small girl goes onto a trip to Cambodia after abandoning her best friend’s competition. She becomes shipwrecked and is left on an island with a baby gibbon and spends a while attempting to survive... We think this book would suit younger readers in Key Stage Three. Thank you to both Riley and Damon for letting us use their review.
LPA Literacy
Our wonderful librarian, Mrs Hill, organised a World Cup sweep-stake for staff to take part in. And to make things a little more interesting, prizes were given for the first red card, first hat-trick and other football related misdemeanors. Mrs Hill managed to raise £100 - enough money to broaden our selection of football and dyslexia friendly books to ensure that we have a strong selection of books for every student to enjoy.
Well done to Mrs Hill, we are truly grateful.
LPA Lip Sync Battle – Thursday 9th July
The eagerly anticipated House Lip Sync Battle is almost here… On Thursday next week Goshawk, Kestrel, Osprey and Red Kite will be taking to the stage to go head-to-head in the return of Lip Sync Battle. House teams have been working extremely hard to perfect their performances going into the competition and are now looking forward to showcasing their performance. The competition will be taking place during lunchtime in front of a live audience – this is a ticketed event so please arrive at the doors early to avoid missing out. Good Luck!
World Cup Score Prediction - The Results
Congratulations to Miss Wilson who has won the World Cup score predictions competition, securing victory for Kestrel.. The competition was extremely close throughout with the leader-board changing game by game. With over 100 participants taking part in the competition, it’s a massive well done to those who made the top 10. Participants made score predictions for all 72 group games, earning 5 points for every correct score and 2 points if they didn’t predict the correct scoreline but predicted the correct result. Second place was awarded to Osprey, followed by Goshawk and Red Kite in third and fourth place respectively.
ACADEMY CLUBS FOR TERM 6
The Academy would like to increase the attendance at the non-Sports Enrichment clubs and we have been listening to Student voice on the clubs they wish to attend. We have introduced an Enrichment Attendance card. When students attend 6 sessions of any Enrichment club and get their card signed by the Enrichment teachers they will hand this card into Student Reception and it will go into a prize draw taking place at the end of each term. We will also count up cards at the end of the term and House points will be rewards (House in 1st place 25 points, in 2nd place 15 points, in 3rd place 10 points, in 4th place 5 points)
LPA Sports Club - https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/Sport/ Music Club - https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/Music/ Enrichment Timetable - https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/Enrichment/ House Competitions - https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/Houses/
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
Students are required to wear impeccable school uniform every single day. Our school uniform supplier is SWI. Please follow this link to order your uniform www.swischoolwear.co.uk School blazers and ties can be order via this link. Please ensure you have ordered your uniform by the end of July 2026 so that your child has everything they need for their first day in September.
Academy Term Dates for 2026 / 2027
https://lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/Term-Dates/
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Wednesday 22nd July 2026
September 2026 Reopening Information
- STAFF TRAINING DAY - Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September 2026
- YEAR GROUPS 7, 11 & 12 ONLY Students return - Thursday 3rd September 2026
- ALL OTHER YEAR GROUPS - Students return - Friday 4th September 2026 - Academy open to all other Year groups
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Friday 16th October 2026
Lodge Park Academy Opens - Monday 2nd November 2026
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 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
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.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lodgeparkpe?igsh=aDJxcDJzc3ozd3No
X / Twitter:
https://x.com/lodgeparkacad?s=20
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/lodgeparkacademy
Visit our website at:
Credits:
Created with images by Natallia - "Go above and beyond symbol.,Concept words Go above and beyond on wooden blocks.,Beautiful bright blue background.,Business and Go above and beyond concept.,Copy space." • Ian - "July 8, 2026 calendar in yellow and red on a white background" • Restu Javier - "Conceptual Logo Design for FIFA World Cup 2026 with Soccer Ball and National Colors Glacial" • Graphicsdesign120 - "Celebrating the 2026 world cup with a dynamic soccer ball and design" • Abode stock - "A realistic depiction of a desk calendar displaying september 2026 with a spiral binding and clear date layout on transparent background high quality" • umut hasanoglu - "Wooden signpost with arrows pointing towards help, guidance, support, and advice against a bright blue sky with clouds." • alice_photo - "Contact us business icon on computer keyboard with the globe"