Dear Families
Lodge Park Academy Newsletter – Final Week of the Spring Term
As we reach the final week of the spring term, it is time to reflect on a week filled with celebrations, achievements, and moments of inspiration. This week, we were delighted to host a series of Rewards Assemblies for every Year group, celebrating the exceptional efforts and successes of our students. It was marvellous to congratulate students who are regularly demonstrating all our LPA values. We were joined by a fantastic lineup of visitors who helped make these assemblies even more special. We were honoured to welcome Gary Setchell and Phil Toon, Manager of Corby Town Football Club's Men's and Women's teams, Tony Berry, Head Coach of the S&L Women’s Rugby Team, and two members of the nationally recognised Corby Indie Rock Band, The Scenesters. These visits not only provided an opportunity to champion local talent but also served as a reminder of the diverse achievements that our students can aspire to.
In addition to our Rewards Assemblies, we also marked the conclusion of our third term of the highly successful Raven's programme, which has provided our students with valuable learning experiences. Our Year 13 students received their final mock exam results, a key milestone as they prepare for their next steps. This week also saw a productive Y10 Business Drop Down Day and a similarly engaging Y11 Drama Drop Down Day, offering students the chance to deepen their learning in specific subjects.
On Friday, we were excited to host our Year 11 into 12 Transition Day, where 70 prospective Sixth Form students got a taste of what Lodge Park Academy has to offer as they look ahead to life beyond their GCSEs.
It has been an action-packed term, and as we approach the Easter break, we want to take a moment to thank all of our students for their hard work, dedication, and resilience. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved this term and look forward to what is to come in the next.
Happy Easter, and enjoy the well-deserved break!
The Senior Leadership Team
Lodge Park Academy Celebration Assemblies – A Week of Excellence and Achievement
This week, Lodge Park Academy was filled with pride as we held our highly anticipated Celebration Assemblies, expertly arranged by Mrs Langley. These assemblies were a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the exceptional achievements of our students across a range of disciplines, from academic excellence to personal growth.
The assemblies spotlighted individual excellence in each subject, with awards given to those who have gone above and beyond in their studies. We also recognized students for their impeccable attendance throughout the term, the past two terms, and the entire academic year. Perfect attendance is a testament to the dedication and commitment shown by our students, and we are incredibly proud of those who have achieved this remarkable milestone.
In addition to subject-specific and attendance awards, we were thrilled to present three prestigious special awards to students in each year group. These awards are designed to honor those who truly embody the values of our school and demonstrate outstanding character:
The Sandra Dickson Award
For demonstrating ambition and aspiration, recognising students who set high goals and work tirelessly to achieve them.
The James Ashworth Award
For demonstrating courage and gratitude, awarded to students who show immense bravery in the face of challenges and a thankful attitude in all aspects of life.
The Alex Shaw Award
For demonstrating respect and resilience, celebrating students who consistently show respect for others and bounce back from setbacks with determination and strength.
These special awards reflect the qualities we strive to foster in all our students, and it was truly inspiring to see so many individuals recognised for their commitment to not just academic success, but for their contributions to the school community as a whole.
A huge thank you to Mrs Langley for her outstanding organisation of the week’s events and to all the staff who contributed to making these assemblies such a memorable occasion. As we celebrate these achievements, we continue to be inspired by the remarkable students who make Lodge Park Academy such a special place to learn.
Mr McGeown - Vice Principal
Why We Do What We Do
At LPA we use cold call which is a teaching strategy. It means that rather than asking students to put their hands up to answer questions we give some thinking time, we pose the question, we then as a particular student. That take up time means that all students think about the answer. If we use a name straight away students will often opt out and think phew Miss or Sir isn't going to ask me so I don't have to think about it. We do ask students to put their hand up if they don't understand but generally, we cold call our students.
Lodge Park Academy Saturday School Programme – A Huge Success
As we draw to a close on our highly successful Saturday School programme, we want to celebrate the incredible dedication shown by our students and staff throughout March. For five consecutive Saturdays, 70 students attended extra study sessions in English, Maths, Science, and History, demonstrating their commitment to academic success as they approach their final GCSE exams.
This programme has been essential in providing additional preparation, helping students to consolidate their knowledge and build confidence in key subject areas. We would like to extend a huge thank you to our fantastic Saturday teachers – Mr Okorie (Maths), Dr King (English), Mrs Wells (Science), and Mrs Berry (History) – whose hard work and enthusiasm have been a driving force behind the programme's success. Their support has been instrumental in helping students make the most of this valuable extra learning time.
We also want to thank the parents who supported this initiative by ensuring their children attended each week. Your commitment has played a crucial role in helping our students take full advantage of this opportunity.
The dedication shown by both students and staff throughout the Saturday School programme exemplifies our school values, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work that has been put in. As the GCSE exams approach, we are confident that these extra hours of study will make a real difference in our students’ results. Thank you once again to all involved for making this programme such a success
Mr McGeown – Vice Principal
Attendance Rewards and Incentives
During the week commencing 31st March we introduced staff and students to a new Attendance Rewards package. Having listened to Student Voice about rewards they would like to receive, we hope students are as excited and pleased as we are.
At LPA we recognise that achieving 100% Attendance for a whole year can be challenging and so we want to reward all our students who demonstrate their resilience, courage and ambition by attending school every day and/ or making every effort to improve their attendance.
Firstly, we have introduced an ‘Improved Attendance’ postcard. This is for students who have shown an improvement in their attendance for three weeks in a row. Last week, over 200 students received these through their letterbox!
Additionally, we have introduced attendance challenges and reward boards as part of our House System. When a Tutor Group achieves six attendance challenges, they will be rewarded with the following:
- 1st completion of 6 challenges- free snack for the Tutor group
- 2nd completion of 6 challenges- non-school uniform day (only for the winning Tutor group).
- 3rd completion of 6 challenges- pizza party
We will notify the Tutor group, Tutor, Head of House of their prize and inform families by using the My Child At School App. Please ensure you are signed up.
For non-school uniform days the following will not be permitted:
• Very short shorts or skirts.
• Crop tops or tops that leave midriffs uncovered.
• Flip-flops or backless footwear, due to health and safety issues.
• Excessive make up or jewellery.
• Clothing with offensive or inappropriate logos.
Which Tutor Group will be the first to win?
Mrs Cooper - Vice Principal- Attendance
Table Talk
Have you ever been chatting with your child and you want to have a deeper conversation, but you don’t quite know what to ask? Or have family conversations gotten routine? Too surface-level? Or too much about logistics, like who is going where and when?
Ask the question and then JUST LISTEN. And when you think they are done talking, wait some more. Be curious and show interest with a follow-up like “Hmmm, oh, that’s interesting. Tell me more.” Your goal right now is to connect.
If you have advice or comments that you want to give, make a note of it and talk about that another time. Enjoy the time with your teen or tween and see the world through their eyes.
Here are some question starters you might like to use to help to get your teenager a little better.
✓ What are the things you like about yourself?
✓ What are things you’re working on improving? How are you doing that?
✓ What do you like to do for fun? ✓ When do you feel happiest?
✓ When do you feel sad?
✓ What do you worry about?
✓ What do you do to cope with your feelings?
✓ What are you most looking forward to?
✓ What are you most proud of this past year?
Meet the PE, Dance and Performing Arts Teams
I have been the Assistant Principal responsible for Outcomes since I joined Lodge Park Academy in September. I have previously worked in the same role at another secondary school within DRET. I thoroughly enjoy working closely with Year 11 students in supporting them through their final school year and GCSE exams.
Teaching was a profession I always wanted to pursue and as such have been teaching since I finished university at 21.
Being a PE teacher, I have a huge passion for sport and physical activity. If I'm not directly taking part in it myself, a huge hobby of mine is following Peterborough United football club.
I have been the Head of PE since 2020, having first joined the Academy as a PE teacher in 2016.
With a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science, sport has always been my passion- especially netball and football. Beyond playing, I also love to shop and feel incredibly lucky to teach at a school where the students share my enthusiasm for netball.
This year has been an outstanding one for our sports teams, and I couldn’t be prouder. Our Year 7, 8, and 9 netball teams have remained unbeaten all season- a fantastic achievement for the school.
I have been a member of the PE department since 2023 and have a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northamptonshire.
Outside of work I have a number of different hobbies and interests; Sport is and always has been my passion from a young age. Football is my main sport of choice but basketball and golf are my other sport passions.
I am the Sports Enrichment Officer at Lodge Park Academy and have been working here since 2023. Before this I was a Coach at Bedford Blue Rugby Club.
I have a BA in Sports and Physical Education from the University of Bedfordshire. I have loved playing sports ever since I was little.
I have a number of different hobbies one of which is I play Hockey for my local team and have been playing since I was 13 years old. The other sports I enjoy are football and swimming.
I joined Lodge Park Academy in September as House ‘GamesMaker’ and also teach PE. I currently work across two academies in the David Ross Education Trust and have been working within the Trust for over 10 years.
I have a BSc degree in Sports, Fitness & Coaching through the Open University with a HND in Sports Science.
I have a huge passion for sport in general but enjoyed years of playing football. Having a young family myself means lots of time playing different sports with my boys and following my team when I can!
This is my second-year teaching Dance and PE at Lodge Park Academy. I was a student here up until Year 13 taking Dance and Sport at 'A' levels and I then carried out my University placements within the Dance and PE department here.
I have a BA Hons in Dance and Movement with Education Studies from the University of Derby. I did not know I wanted to be a teacher, one day my Year 13 Sports Studies teacher casually said to me that I would make a great teacher so that day applied for Education courses at University.
It is a great privilege to be teaching at the school I attended, and it has been lovely to see the school develop and to watch the current students excel in Sport and Dance just like the alumni did.
Mr Hull - Head of Drama
My name is Dean Hull. I am the Head of Drama and the Head of Osprey Houe. I have joined the team of staff at Lodge Park Academy since September 2024. I have worked across Northamptonshire within different Secondary Academies.
I have a BA in the Performing Arts from the University of Leeds and have had the opportunity to be a part of a diverse range of theatrical and digital productions.
My hobbies are very sport orientated, such as athletics, boxing and general health and fitness.
Red Kite Rocket League Champions
Congratulations to Josh and Kyron who have been crowned House ‘Rocket League’ champions.
Following a week long competition, including a number of qualification rounds leading up to a finals in the main hall, Josh and Kyron came out on top in all of their games.
The final match saw Red Kite take on Goshawk in an epic ‘best of 3’ final with Red Kite securing a 2-1 victory.
Well done to everyone who took part in the competition.
‘Signs of Spring’ House Photography Competition
House Photography continues over the Easter holidays, with a deadline on Tuesday 22nd April. If you are outside enjoying the fresh air over the holidays be sure to capture some creative photos. 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 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.
‘Just Dance’ House Competition
Just Dance took place in main hall on the last day of term with a mixture of 10 individual and group performances. It was great to see great representation across each House in both performing and cheering on their fellow House teams.
Participants performed a ‘Just Dance’ song in front of a packed out main hall, displaying excellent LPA Courage.
Full results from the competition will be revealed after the Easter holidays along with the up to date House Championship Totaliser.
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
Academy closes on Friday 4th April 2025
Academy reopens on Tuesday 22nd April 2025
https://www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk/docs/term_dates/Lodge_Park_Academy_Term_Dates_2024-2025.pdf
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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.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lodgeparkpe?igsh=aDJxcDJzc3ozd3No
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https://x.com/lodgeparkacad?s=20
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/lodgeparkacademy
Visit our website at www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
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