Lodge Park Academy Newsletter
Dear Families,
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Lodge Park Academy newsletter. We are delighted to share some fantastic news that highlights the exceptional dedication and passion of our staff and students. This week, we are incredibly proud to announce that our outstanding PE department, led by Mrs Morgan-Smith, has been awarded the prestigious School Games Gold Mark Award for the academic year 2024/25. This government-led accolade recognises the commitment to, and development of, sport both within the school and across our wider community. It is a testament to the innovative and groundbreaking work being carried out by Mrs Morgan-Smith and her phenomenal team. LPA continues to prove itself as the place to be for any budding sports stars of the future.
This week has also marked a key period for our examination students, with GCSE and Level 2 exams ongoing for Year 11, and A-Level and Level 3 qualifications for Year 13. Our students have truly risen to the occasion, demonstrating impressive resilience, maturity, and commitment to their success. A heartfelt thank you goes to all our parents and carers for the invaluable support you've given in preparing students for these crucial milestones.
Wednesday saw a joyful celebration of our school’s diversity with Culture Day, organised by the brilliant Dr Steenkamp. This was a vibrant and enriching experience that allowed our community to come together and celebrate the many cultures represented at LPA. The stunning traditional dress, colourful displays, delicious food, and uplifting music created a lively atmosphere—especially during lunchtime in the Zone, which became a hub of cultural celebration.
Earlier in the week, on Monday and Tuesday, we were pleased to welcome Wayne Stevenson, who delivered informative and thoughtful RSE sessions to our Year 7 students. Additionally, our Heads of House led assemblies focused on celebrating difference, aligning beautifully with our week-long celebration of cultures and diversity.
Finally, it has been wonderful to see students across the academy return with a strong sense of purpose and enthusiasm, particularly in lower school. As they complete their current round of KPI assessments, we have seen incredible motivation and effort—especially from our Year 10 students, who are clearly preparing themselves for the challenges and opportunities of their final pre-16 year.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing more of our students’ successes in the weeks ahead.
Warm regards,
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Let's Talk
We take a lot of time to talk to students about how to report bullying, who to report it to, who can support you and what is not okay when it comes to relationships and interactions. We have created an email called "LPA - ItsNotOkay" ItsNotOkay@lodgeparkacademy.co.uk and a physical box where students can either email or put messages into a post box sharing their concerns. These boxes are checked every day and in appropriate circumstance alleged victims and aggressors are placed in interventions to support them, to educate them and to ensure that there is a resolution to the bullying issue.
There are some strategies below to consider. Please take the time, at the dinner table, to discuss what bullying is and if your child has ever been bullied and talk through these strategies. If any issues arise from your conversations please let us know so that we can deal with them.
Bullying is an issue that affects millions of students worldwide. Whether it's name-calling, spreading rumours, exclusion, or physical harm, bullying can leave lasting emotional scars.
The good news? You’re not powerless. You have tools and strategies to stand up for yourself and others.
Here's how students can support themselves if they are facing bullying:
1. Know That You’re Not Alone The first thing to remember is this: being bullied is never your fault. It's important to talk to someone you trust—whether it’s a parent, teacher, counsellor, or friend. You don’t have to face it alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help. Tip: Keep a record of bullying incidents (dates, what happened, who was involved). It helps when reporting the issue.
2. Practice Confidence, Even if You Don’t Feel It Bullies often target those they believe won’t fight back. Practicing assertive body language—like standing tall, making eye contact, and speaking in a calm, firm voice—can discourage bullies from continuing. Try This: Practice saying things like “That’s not okay” or “I don’t like what you’re doing. Stop.” in the mirror or with a friend.
3. Use the Power of Your Circle Friends can be your greatest support system. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself. If you see someone else being bullied, your support can make a huge difference—just sitting next to them or including them in activities helps them feel less alone. Pro Tip: Being a friend to someone who’s bullied is a form of courage.
4. Set Digital Boundaries Cyberbullying can feel especially invasive because it happens even when you're at home. Be mindful of who you allow in your digital space. Don’t be afraid to block, report, or mute people who are harassing you online. Reminder: Save screenshots or messages that show evidence of online bullying.
5. Know When to Get Adults Involved Sometimes, students hesitate to report bullying because they fear it will make things worse. But adults in your life can take steps you can’t—especially if things escalate. Reporting is not "snitching." It's about keeping yourself and others safe. Remember: Speaking up is a sign of strength, not weakness.
6. Take Care of Your Mental Health Bullying can take a toll on your emotional well-being. It’s okay to feel upset. What matters is how you take care of yourself. Try journaling, talking to someone, meditating, or engaging in activities you love to build resilience and boost self-worth.
Attendance Rewards and Incentives
During week commencing 31st March 2025 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.
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 regarding the non-school uniform day. Please ensure you are signed up.
Each Monday, our Principal Mr Kirby announces the winners of various attendance challenges during morning line up. This is generating quite a buzz around the Academy. Two tutor groups have now won their 1st prize of free snacks.
For the second prize, 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.
Mrs Cooper - Vice Principal
Join Our Seneca Learning Community
Support Your Child’s Learning at Home
We are delighted to invite all parents and carers to join the Lodge Park Academy Seneca Learning Community at www.senecalearning.com. This is a powerful tool that allows you to support your child in completing additional learning outside the classroom – helping to reinforce key concepts and prepare for assessments.
If you haven’t yet accessed your child’s Seneca account, you will have received a new invitation from us to join. We kindly ask for your support in accepting this invitation and becoming part of our growing community.
Why is this important?
With over 450 parents and students already actively engaged, and more than 110,000 hours of student learning recorded across this academic year, Seneca has proven to be an incredibly successful platform – especially in science, geography, and history. As we prepare for the 2025/26 academic year, we are aiming to develop this further, building on the momentum and positive outcomes we’ve seen so far.
How can you help?
Please ensure your child can access their Seneca account at senecalearning.com. If they have trouble logging in using their school email address, they can easily reset their password by selecting ‘forgotten password’ on the login page.
By joining our Seneca Learning Community, you’ll not only receive insights into your child’s progress but also gain the ability to support their independent learning more effectively.
We appreciate your continued support and will keep you updated with further developments as we approach the end of the academic year.
Together, let’s continue to build a culture of independent learning and academic success at Lodge Park Academy.
Thanks in advance for your support,
Mr McGeown, Vice Principal - Quality of Education
To Celebrate Maths Weekly Achievements
Lodge Park Academy Bright Sparx
Each week, our students at LPA, complete maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answer additional questions, further increasing their mathematical knowledge. The maths team would like to celebrate these students and recognise their dedicated work.
"In it to win it" Attendance Reward - Term 5
On a weekly basis students with 100% attendance for the previous week are issued with an In it to Win it ticket. They choose whether to enter this into the “Voucher”, “Tablet” or “Corby Foodbank” boxes. At the end of each term a name is drawn from the voucher box to receive a £10 voucher. At the end of the year a name is drawn for £100 voucher, a tablet and the tickets in the Corby Foodbank box are counted and this number of items is then donated to the local Corby Foodbank
Congratulation to Laker from 7LG for winning the £10 voucher for Term 5!
Kestrel House ‘Bullseye’ Champions
House teams went head to head in the ‘Bullseye’ House quiz on the last day of term. As seen on TV, House teams faced a series of general and subject specific knowledge questions across four rounds.
Each correct question earned the respective House teams with a throw on the inflatable dart board, with each number on the board representing House points. House points were banked throughout each round and added to the overall House totaliser.
Following four competitive rounds of quizzing it was Kestrel who accumulated the highest points total, advancing to ‘Bully’s Prize Board’ for the chance of securing additional bonus House points and other prizes.
Across the competition Kestrel secured 202 House points plus a Houseopoly card for every Tutor Group. Red Kite accumulated the second highest points score with 115 House points. Goshawk earned 113 House points in third place and Osprey finished in fourth place with a total of 82 House points.
LPA Fantasy Premier League – Final Game week
The LPA 2025 Fantasy Premier League House competition concluded on Sunday 18th May with the final game of the Premier League season.
Students, staff and wider family members have been managing their fantasy teams all season in the bid to be crowned LPA House FPL champion. The competition started all the way back in August last year with teams constantly battling it out for top spot right the way through the season.
After 10 months of commitment it was Tawanda (father of Tadiwanashe) in Kestrel House who was crowned champion, timing it late in the final few weeks to perfection. Despite early domination from both Daniel and Lennon they had to settle for 2nd and 3rd place respectively – a fantastic effort from both!
Congratulations to all managers who made it in to the LPA top 10 managers for the 2024/25 season.
All managers who finished above the Gamesmaker will receive 10 bonus House points.
We are already looking forward to the new season. Keep an eye out of details of how to get involved.
Term 6 - LPA House Competitions
We are on the home straight and quickly approaching the finishing line in the race of the 2025 LPA House Championship.
It has been a thrilling race so far full of action packed competition throughout the year. Term 6 promises to be even more exciting as it features Bottle Rockets, LPA’s Got Talent and Sports Day. Over 2,000 House points will be on offer across the final term.
Please note that there has been a change of date for the Bottle Rockets – Originally scheduled for Friday 13th June 2025, this competition will now be held the following Friday, 20th June 2025.
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/Lodge_Park_Academy_Term_Dates_2024-2025.pdf
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Tuesday 22nd July 2025
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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.
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Visit our website at www.lodgeparkacademy.co.uk
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