Lodge Park Academy's Newsletter – Summer Term
Dear Families Welcome to another wonderful week in our academy’s journey; another step in our students’ progress; another stride in their scholarly endeavours. The Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates believed that
“Walking is man’s best medicine”
and we are inviting members of the Lodge Park family to listen to this ancient sage’s advice. As we enter ‘Walk to School’ week, we are encouraging people to engage in a more healthy and active lifestyle. The Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou, honorifically often known as Zhuangzi, concurred:
“I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river”.
He connected a physical journey through nature with a widening understanding of the world and the varied experiences of the beings within it. We encourage everyone to take another step. We are continuing our developmental movement toward Cultural Diversity Day on Thursday 21st May, celebrating the range and richness of our multicultural world. Our engagement with the narrative of different countries can be seen billowing in the wind on the flagpoles framing our entrance. But we demand more from our students and ourselves, as demonstrated in ‘The Importance of Words’ assemblies delivered in the academy this week. We want our students to take real and tangible steps in writing a better narrative for themselves and their communities. In the words of Zhuangzi, we want them to understand and appreciate the
“joy of fishes”.
Best Wishes,
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Why We Do What We Do
House Assemblies bring a sense of belonging for our students, and our four Houses bring together one community at Lodge Park Academy. This last week during our House assemblies we embedded the following so that all students are on the same page of understanding of Why We Do What We Do ..........
In the Academy we use our Gratitude Tree to show our thanks and appreciation to those around us. This term our theme is "Value & Legacy".
DRET Table Tennis Development Day
On Tuesday saw some off our students take part in the DRET Table Tennis Development Day. They got the opportunity to develop their table tennis skills with demonstrations and coaching from Alex Green and the Charles Read Table Tennis Scholars. They then put their new skills into practice in lots of mini games. Great preparation ahead of the Summer Cup 🏓
Energy Drinks
This week in our termly whole school Contextual session tutors delivered a session on Harmful substances - Energy drinks and vaping. Although, Like many schools in the country, we have banned energy drinks on site, students are purchasing them on the way to school, which can contribute to poor concentration and disruptive behaviour. Students were reminded about the affects of energy drinks and the risks and myths around vaping using statistics and real-life scenarios. They also discussed healthy choices and the support available to them if needed.
DRET Summer Cup 2026
We are delighted to invite you to the biggest sporting event of the year, the DRET Summer Cup! This year, our annual event will take place on Wednesday 1st July and brings our 11 secondary and 25 primary academies together to compete across 7 sports, and 9 competitions, with the aim to be crowned champions! We’ll be joined by an incredible line-up of elite athletes, making this a truly unmissable event. It promises to be a spectacular celebration of sporting excellence across the Trust, and we’d love you to be part of it by coming along to support the Lodge Park Academy team on the day. Refreshments can be purchased in the leisure centre cafeteria, with other light refreshments available. This year the Tennis will be off site, at the fantastic venue of Grantham Tennis Centre, Gonerby Road, NG31 8HU between 11:30 – 14:30. To enable us to reserve car parking and speed up registration on the day, please RSVP by coping the link and pasting into your URL on the invite below by 30th June 2026, and completing the form. We hope to see you there.
Attendance Update
We would like to share our weekly Attendance milestones with our parents. Whilst sharing the milestones for House Tutor groups, we are proud to share with you the amazing students who have 100% attendance at the Academy, year to date. It is never too late to improve your child's attendance. If you have any questions regarding your child's attendance, please feel free to contact the Attendance Team at the Academy. attendance@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
Seneca - Term 5
Thank you all for another, impressive week of independent learning. We are all proud of our students and this is never more evident in their willingness to engage in study independently. We are in the middle of a revolution of change at LPA and homework and independent study provides a real insight into how hard our students are working. Thank you to our tutors for all that they do and will continue to do to have the highest expectations for our students.
Week in, week out we have maintained consistent approaches to homework and our students have lived up to expectations. Out performing schools across our local area that have often looked disparagingly at our work. The homework that our tutors set are changing how people view our school and students. Thank you.
Every week new names pop up on our Top Ten study time board. Keep choosing independent study. As Year 11 take their first GCSE's exams - Year 10 will take up the mantel to increase their study time through into the next academic year. Thank you all very much for supporting your child with their Seneca Independent Learning.
Mr M McGeown - Vice Principal
LPA Readers recommend ..
Epic adventure (Tom Gates) by Liz Pichon
I recommend this book because… I recommend this book because it is funny and it teaches life lessons. The back of the book also shows you how to make paper palm trees. What have you learnt from this book? I have learnt to make sure that I get to places on time. What is a brief summary of this book? This book is about children going to a birthday party and ending up on an adventure. He goes to a castle on his adventure but ends up missing the school disco. Who would enjoy this book? Children Young Adults Everyone! Favourite Quotes: ‘’You don’t want to miss out on this party’’ ‘’No Tom. You are staying with us.’’
Thank you to Abbie for letting us use her recommendation.
DRET Musician of the Year 2026 Launch
Our annual competition for our young instrumentalists has launched this week, and all our instrumental players are invited to take part! There are 3 categories (foundation, intermediate and advanced) where the focus is how musically students play rather than the technical difficulty alone.
Last year, we very nearly won the highly coveted, title of 'DRET Musician of the Year' with excellent performances from Year 11 alumni Jennie and current Year 12 Richard.
Help is on hand from the music team, including making a good quality recording, and the closing date for entries is 19th June. Please encourage your young musician to get involved, and good luck!
Mrs Olner - Director of Music
Music Clubs
We have two new clubs which will be run by Mrs Della Torre. Girls Sing! will take place in G10 on Wednesday morning tutor times and Boys Sing! will take place in G10 on Friday mornings. No need to go to line up as we will register you in G10. As the names suggest, these are specifically girls only and boys only choirs. They are both non-auditioned, lots of fun and singing is good for your health! Please encourage your young person to come along.
Mrs Olner - Director of Music
House Championship 2025/2026
House Music Quiz Results
The penultimate ‘Theatre’ House competition of the year took place this week as House teams went head-to-head in the LPA House Music Quiz. Students across year 7 to 10 represented their respective House teams across three rounds on the main stage in front of a live audience. Participants were quizzed on their NOW Music General knowledge, artist & song knowledge and ability to complete the lyrics. The competition consisted of 30 questions with competition points accumulated across each round, for each correct answer. Congratulations to Red Kite and Goshawk who were crowned joint champions after accumulating the same number of points across the three rounds. Kestrel finished in third place, followed by Osprey in fourth.
LPA House Gladiators
We are extremely excited for our very own House Version of the hit TV shot, Gladiators next week. As seen on TV, students and staff will go head-to-head in Duel, Powerball, and the Gauntlet Run. The competition will be taking place at lunchtime on the field. There is plenty of opportunity to represent your House in this competition, with students participating in all three events. Register your interest with Heads of House and tutors as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
LPA Fantasy Premier League Latest
Only two more game weeks remain in this seasons Fantasy Premier League season! Here is how the top 10 positions are looking going into the penultimate weekend of the competition. The gap at the top is still close, however with time running out is there too much to do in the final week. The Gamesmaker is super keen catch as many teams as possible before the end of the season. Keep an eye out for the next update to see how the table is looking after the weekends round of fixtures - Good luck to all players!
Lodge Park Academy Sports Newsletter
Please copy the link into your browser and view this terms Lodge Park Academy Sports Newsletter. https://lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/docs/newsletters/sport_newsletters/Term_4_Sports_Newsltter_2025-2026.pdf
LPA Sports Timetable - Term 5
Music Clubs Timetable - Term 5
Enrichment Timetable - Term 5
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)
Support & Information for Parents
Online Grooming
Online grooming is a serious and growing threat, with offenders using a range of tactics to build trust with children and young people before exploiting that relationship. This can happen across social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps and group chats, often through fake identities, flattery, gifts or pressure. Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights key risks, including: • Strangers using fake identities • Exploitation through gifts and flattery • Group chats creating hidden pathways • Gaming platforms becoming grooming gateways • Sextortion, criminal grooming and radicalisation The guide also offers practical advice for parents and educators on recognising warning signs, understanding the platforms children use and creating open, regular conversations. Download the guide here: https://vist.ly/53zbc #OnlineSafety #SafeguardingChildren #DigitalSafeguarding
💜 Back by popular demand! 💜 We’re delighted to have secured another reduced-price Spa Session at the Holiday Inn Corby Spa 🫧 📅 4th June 2026 📍 Holiday Inn Corby ⏰ Two hours of relaxation 💷 Just £15.25 per person Enjoy full access to: 🏊 Swimming pool 💦 Jacuzzi 🔥 Sauna 🌫 Steam room Whether you’d like to chat and connect with other parent carers, or simply take some quiet time for yourself, this is your opportunity to switch off, unwind and recharge. Because sometimes, a little time just for you makes all the difference 💜 Book your place here: https://npcv.co.uk/book-a-service%2Fevent (Open to all parent/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities SEND aged 0–25.)
Career Days offers a series of online work experience and Career Days designed specifically for students aged 13–18. These live, interactive days give students a chance to: • Learn about a specific career from industry professionals • Understand day-to-day life, entry requirements, and pathways • Complete practical work experience tasks • Ask questions in live Q&A sessions • Receive a personalised certificate for UCAS or CV use . We’ve got a range of upcoming Career Days that might suit different interests — all taking place online and accessible from anywhere:
- Business Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 16th May 2026
- Performing Arts Work Experience & Careers Day – Sunday 18th October 2026
. Details, dates & registration: Career Days Why this might benefit students: ✔ Career insight - live expert input and real-world context ✔ Work experience evidence for UCAS & applications ✔ Accessible for students anywhere - no travel required ✔ Suitable across Years 9–13
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
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
SWI UNIFORM SUPPLIER
https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/docs/term_dates/2025_2026_Academic_Calendar_v1.pdf
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Thursday 2nd April 2026
Lodge Park Academy Re-Opens -Monday 20th April 2026
Bank Holiday - Monday 4th May 2026
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Friday 22nd May 2026
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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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