Lodge Park Academies Newsletter – Spring Term, Week 1
Welcome back to the Spring Term! Our first week began on Tuesday with students arriving at school showing a brilliant attitude and resilient approach, even in spite of the cold weather that affected parts of the school. It has been wonderful to see our community back together, ready to embrace the term ahead. As is tradition, we kicked off the week with our welcome back assemblies, delivered by our principal, Mr Kirby. These assemblies focused on the importance of good learning habits, preparation, and showing respect towards all members of our community. In our morning House assemblies, students explored the 7 C’s of resilience, with a particular focus on ‘Choice not chance’. Pupils were encouraged to reflect on the choices they make daily, consider the options available to them, and understand how these decisions can shape their lives both now and in the future. It has been a busy and exciting first week! Our House Darts Competition has run during lunchtimes, creating friendly competition and school spirit, while two Music Enrichment trips to Nottingham and Birmingham have provided students with inspiring cultural experiences. Looking ahead, this term we aim to continue building on the excellent progress made across the school in teaching and learning, behaviour and attitudes, and attendance. We are confident that with the support of our parents and carers, we can make this term another successful and rewarding chapter for all our students. Thank you for all the support that you will give the school across the next busy term The Senior Leadership Team.
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Table Talk
Over the next four weeks our focus for Table Talk is going to be Self-harm. Unfortunately, this is an issue that is prevalent in a growing number of teenagers across the country. It is important we remain vigilant for any signs of self-harm and discuss this subject as appropriate.
Week 3 How to cope with the urge to self-harm What works best will depend on how we are feeling and why we have the urge to self-harm. For this reason, the table below shows tips for coping with different feelings and why we have the urge to self-harm. Some of the tips below might not work for everyone but that’s ok. People should only try what they feel comfortable with.
Delaying self-harm Instead of trying to replace self-harm, you could also try to delay it. This can feel really hard, so try a small amount of time before building up to longer delays. For example, start by trying to wait 30 seconds before self-harming. If you can do this, then try waiting for a couple of minutes, then slowly increasing the time that you wait.
Attendance
Attendance is crucial in the spring term because it solidifies learning before crucial exams, prevents knowledge gaps from widening, supports social-emotional well-being, and builds the discipline needed for future success, with missing school even by a few days significantly harming academic potential and long-term earnings. The spring term is a key consolidation period, especially for older students facing GCSEs, making consistent presence vital to build on autumn's foundations and prepare for end-of-year assessments. 3 days of absence is the same as 15 lessons missed. Addressing attendance issues early in the year prevents them from escalating into long-term disengagement. The attendance team are always available to offer support and guidance with your child's attendance.
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 week during out House assemblies we embedded the following so that all students are on the same page of understanding of Why We Do What We do: 1. What are our 3 school rules and why do we have them? BE SAFE BE READY BE RESPECTFUL We have rules in place to keep everyone safe and ensure everyone is treated fairly and help to create an environment where everyone can thrive and grow. 2. How does the school teach you to keep yourself safe? We teach students to keep safe through having clear rules (in and out of lessons), by fostering a supportive environment with trusted adults for emotional help, covering physical dangers in PSHCE lessons such as Road safety and Online risks and teaching them to recognise and report concerns to keep students and others safe. (This is also delivered in Dropdown days, Contexual sessions, Relationships, Health & Sex Education sessions with Mr Stevenson.) 3. What should you be doing during the 90 second entry to the classroom? Students are asked to enter in silence, stand behind their chair in silence, put their bags and coats away under the desk, and when asked to sit, to sit in their allocated seat, LPA 6 on the desk and track the teacher ready to learn.
Corby Education Leaders Invited Back to SEND Round Table Discussion Hosted by Local MP Lee Barron
Corby, 8 January 2026 – Sue Jones, Executive Principal of Lodge Park Academy, and Dr Ute Steenkamp, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, have once again been invited to participate in a key round table event on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision. The discussion, hosted by Lee Barron MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, took place today and focused on critical themes for improving support for children and young people with SEND. This marks a continued engagement for the Lodge Park Academy leaders, who previously contributed to similar round tables in January 2025 and July 2025. Those earlier sessions informed submissions to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee inquiry into SEND provision and discussions in Westminster on fostering greater inclusion in mainstream settings. Today’s agenda covered five main themes: Early Intervention, Local Provision, Fairness, Effective Practice, and Shared Working. Participants explored questions such as how to identify needs earlier without mandatory diagnoses, making mainstream schools more inclusive through physical adaptations and staff training, introducing potential “SEND Hubs”, ensuring equitable high-quality support across the country, mandating Continuous Professional Development for teachers on inclusive practices, enhancing the role of SENCOs, and improving join-up between education, health, and care services. The event also invited reflections on real-world case studies to illustrate “what good looks like” in SEND support. Dr Steenkamp highlighted the positive atmosphere of collaboration. “It is always lovely meeting other professionals who are equally passionate about inclusive education,” she said. “These discussions bring together dedicated experts from across education, health, charities, and local authorities, all committed to breaking cycles of unmet needs and creating better outcomes for children.” Mrs Jones added: “Being invited back underscores the value placed on practical insights from schools like ours. It’s encouraging to see ongoing dialogue shaping national policy on early support, local inclusion, and evidence based reforms.” Lee Barron MP has been a strong advocate for SEND reform in the constituency, organising multiple round tables to amplify local voices and feed into government plans for system improvement. Lodge Park Academy, part of the David Ross Education Trust, continues to prioritise diversity and inclusion, with both leaders playing active roles in regional and national conversations on equitable education.
Seneca - Spring Term Homework Relaunch at Lodge Park Academy
We are excited to announce the relaunch of our Spring Term homework programme at Lodge Park Academy! At KS4, all students are expected to use Seneca, our chosen online learning platform, for English, Maths, Science, History, French, and Geography. This platform has proven hugely popular, with 95% of students regularly engaging with it. In line with our homework policy, work will be set nightly across all subjects and options, and it is a school expectation that all students complete this work. Lodge Park Academy has quickly become the leading school in the local area for homework completion, and we are committed to maintaining these high standards. At KS3, students will continue to be provided with a knowledge organiser, which should be completed each evening in line with our homework expectations. We kindly ask parents and carers to encourage their children to maintain the highest standards of effort and engagement. By doing so, students will continue to achieve their best and build strong foundations for success. Let’s make this Spring Term another outstanding term for learning and achievement!
Mr McGeown - Vice Principal, Quality of Education
The academy would like to increase the attendance at the non-Sports Enrichment clubs and listen to Student voice on the clubs they wish to attend. Therefore, we will shortly be including some additional clubs and also introducing a Non sports Enrichment attendance card. When students attend 5 sessions of any non-Sports club and get their card signed by the Enrichment teacher they will hand this into Student Reception and they will go into a prize draw taking place at the end of term. We will also count up cards at the end of term and House points will be rewards (House in 1st place 25 points, 2nd place 15 points, 3rd place 10 points, 4th place 5 points)
LPA House Championship 2025/2026
LPA House Competitions - Term 3
Happy New Year. It has been an exciting start in the race for the 2025/26 LPA House Championship with students and staff representing their House teams in a wide range of competitions. Kestrel are in pole position as we entered the new year, narrowly ahead of Goshawk in 2nd place. Osprey had a successful start to the academic year and currently sit in third place. Red Kite will be looking to move up the leader-board from their position in fourth place. We have another action-packed term of House competitions lined up this term with a further 2,000+ House points on offer – Competitions get underway with Darts, followed by Flags of the World Quiz, the brand-new House Winter Games and the return of the popular Spelling Bee. More detailed information about each of the competitions will be shared in the lead up to each event.
LPA House Darts - Results
Following the excitement around the World Darts Championships over the Christmas break and success of the House Darts competition last year students and staff flocked to the gym this week to represent their House teams in our very own Darts House competition. Similar to last year, we decided to deliver two separate competitions - ‘closest to the bull’ followed by a ‘highest three dart throw’ competition. The competition was extremely popular with students across all year groups trying their hand in the competition. Congratulations to Osprey who were champions of the closest of the bullseye competition – four students in total found the bullseye and two of them were from Osprey House. On Friday students attempted to score as high as possible in the ‘highest 3 dart throw’ competition – congratulations to Red Kite who won this competition with a throw of 120 and 64. House averages are being calculated and full results will be revealed next week. Well done to everyone who got involved.
Flags of the World House Quiz Returns
House competitions are coming thick and fast this term as the House Flags of the World Quiz takes place in the ZONE on Friday 16th January. No sign up required and the competition is open to all staff and students – how many flags from around the world can you identify from this year’s board? The individual with the highest correct answers will be crowned champion, winning 100 House points for their respective house.
Poster Competition
Switch Off Fortnight is a nationwide campaign that takes place every year to encourage schools to switch off lights and electrical appliances when not in use for two weeks. The goal for schools is to help them save energy and monitor the impact of changing user behaviour on the school’s energy use. Lodge Park Academy will be taking part in the initiative from January 19th to January 30th 2026. To support in our effort we are asking for students to create a poster to help promote and raise awareness around the campaign. We are looking for poster designs that are visually impactful, presents a clear message, and motivates everyone at LPA to take action. Entries can be submitted through a drawing or done digitally and emailed to housechampionship@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk Or please hand in your designs to student reception by Friday 16th January 2026
LPA Sports - Term 3
Please take time to read the Lodge Park Academy Term 2 Sports Newsletter which is full of our achievements and events during Term 2 including LPA Ravens, All Star Netball & Rugby Development days, Young Leaders, Football, and our ever popular House competitions.
WANTED - Language Books
We are reaching out to all families that may have books in a language other than English, to help our English as an Additional Language (EAL) students at the academy. If you have any books that you are happy to donate, and you feel they are suitable for our students aged 11 to 16 years, then please drop them off at our Main Reception. Thank you for your Kindness.
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 - Friday 13th February 2026
Lodge Park Academy Re-Opens -Monday 23rd February 2026
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Thursday 2nd April 2026
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Email:
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