Lodge Park Academy's Newsletter – Summer Term
Dear Families, The apocryphal idea of a student asleep in a classroom is hardly an image that any school wants to promote, but it does allude to a vital aspect of well-being in our young learners’ lives. There’s a sizeable body of research suggesting that the bad reputation that teenagers may have for staying up late, sleeping in and sleeping longer than any other demographic, is undeserved. Biologically, teenagers have a different circadian rhythm to people of other ages. Their internal body clock, which tells them when and how long to sleep, doesn't line up well with the norms of the social clock. Thomas Dekker (c. 1572–1632), an Elizabethan dramatist, argued
"Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together."
Our assemblies this week will be focused on the importance of quality sleep in supporting healthy development. We recognise and want to help address the issues surrounding the concept of ‘healthy’ sleep, debunking some of the myths directed at young people regarding this key aspect of their well-being. In her 1857 novel, The Professor, Charlotte Bronte’s character suggests
"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow".
One positive contributor to a better quality of sleep is exercise, which (according to recent research from the John Hopkins Centre) in fact, helps you fall asleep more quickly and improves sleep quality. So it is apt that our assemblies this week are complemented by Lodge Park Academy’s House Rounders competition and our celebration of International Dance Day on Monday (27th April). Best Wishes,
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
NMPAT Brass Festival 19th April 2026
Hot on the heels of their debut performance at the DRET Secondary Music Festival, our morning brass group were invited to perform at Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) Brass Festival alongside students from other schools and in a ‘massed performance’ which is where all schools perform a piece of music together. We performed ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ (an arrangement of One Direction's song) and Tequila! with Montsaye’s brass band and the massed performance was an arrangement of Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’ which was epic. The young musicians involved did incredibly well, especially our own Michael in Year 8 who played his solo in ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ with honeyed trombone tones. We are very proud of our musicians and a big well done to them as well as a huge thank to Mr Turnbull, our brass teacher! If your child is interested in learning an instrument, then please contact me for more information as spaces are coming available with Year 11 and Year 13 entering the exam period.
Mrs Olner - Director of Music
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 ..........
The Whole-Body Strengths Framework We want all students to feel seen, valued and empowered. The whole-body metaphor is being introduced to help you make sense of different types of strength and understand that all your strengths work together to make you a complete and capable person. • Head – Thinking strengths (curiosity, creativity, open-mindedness, optimism) • Heart – Feeling strengths (kindness, empathy, love and friendship) • Hands – Action strengths (courage, resilience, respect, enthusiasm and integrity) • Arms (linked) – Community strengths (teamwork, leadership, fairness and adaptability) • Legs – Meaning and self-regulation strengths (Meaning includes gratitude, wisdom, humour and appreciation. Self-regulation includes forgiveness, humility, self-control and resilience).
Character, values & virtues Character is made up of a range, variety and intensity of values and virtues; the character strengths needed to thrive and flourish in life. Personal character influences our moral decision-making. We want all students to develop their character, their emotional literacy, and their sense of belonging in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them. Everyone has strengths, and they can all grow with time and practice. Please click on the following link to watch a video on the difference between values and virtues. Values and Virtues... What's the Difference? || Angela Duckworth Click on the following link to find out how Aristotle developed a virtuous character and established how to thrive and flourish. How To Develop A Virtuous Character - Aristotle (Aristotelianism (the first 4min58secs)
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
Term 4 Above & Beyond
During Term 4 Tutors selected at intervals two students in their tutor group who have gone "Above & Beyond" demonstrating at least 1 of our LPA core values (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. All students selected will go into a Prize draw at the end of the academic year. Heads of House then selected from all students nominated in their House a Star of the Term. Stars of the term go into an additional special prize draw at the end of the academic year.
Literacy Spotlight: Why is reading so important?
Reading for pleasure is important in both the acquisition of academic skills and personal skills. Not only will pupils thrive and flourish educationally through reading, but they will also develop skills in empathy and confidence. Reading for enjoyment has a positive impact on our imagination and can help us to become better writers. At Lodge Park, we ask every student to read for pleasure for twenty minutes each evening in order to help boost their reading confidence and ability. There is a direct correlation between a student’s reading age and their outcomes. Students are welcome to visit the library during break-time and lunch time and must have a reading book as part of their LPA 6. Please see across the page an overview taken from our student reading survey which shows pupil responses to the question – ‘’How can reading benefit me?’’
Miss Sherwin - Teacher of English
LPA House Championship - Term 5
Term 5 House Competitions
With the Term 5 House competitions getting underway next week please take a look at the competitions coming up in what is a short term. Competitions features a BRAND-NEW competition – Gladiators! With a further 2,000 house points on offer there is still so much to play for as house teams prepare to go head-to-head in Rounders, Music Quiz, Tug of War and Gladiators. Keep an eye out for individual competition posters with details and information of how to get involved.
LPA Fantasy Premier League
It was a big green arrow for the House Gamesmaker in the latest game week, jumping five places in to 5th position in the LPA Fantasy Premier League table. With the end of the season fast approaching and just a handful of gameweeks remaining managers have some tough calls to make when thinking about player transfers and when to use any remaining game chips. The lead at the top is now just 31 points with last year’s champions still on top of the table. We are looking forward to seeing how this weekends fixtures playout and if anyone is able to make any big moves up the table!
House Rounders
As we enter the final straight in the race for the 2025/26 LPA House Championship and the start of the Summer Term, house competitions return next week with Rounders. The competition will be taking place across two lunchtimes, consisting of a year 7 & 8 combined competition, and a year 9 to year 11 competition: Thursday – Year 7 & Year 8 Friday – Year 9 to Year 11 Each House will require a minimum of 7 players (mixed boys and girls) for each team. The competition will be taking place on the field and participants require trainers to take part!
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
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
YouTube continues to be one of the most popular platforms for young people, offering a mix of entertainment, creativity and learning. However, its vast content library and recommendation systems can also expose children to risks that are not always easy to spot. Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights key concerns, including: • Inappropriate or extreme content • Interaction with strangers • Risky trends and challenges • The impact of short-form content It also offers practical advice, such as using YouTube Kids, setting parental controls and watching content together.
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:
- Psychology Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 25th April 2026
- Architect Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 2nd May 2026
- Engineering Work Experience & Careers Day – Saturday 9th May 2026
- 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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Credits:
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