Lodge Park Academy Newsletter Autumn Term 2 – Week 5
What a vibrant and high-energy week it has been at Lodge Park Academy! Our students have thrown themselves into every opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity and pride, making this one of the most engaging weeks of the term. Each morning, our brilliant Heads of House — Mrs Gates, Miss Wilson, Mr Hull and Mrs Occleshaw — have delivered thought-provoking House Assemblies on the theme of British Values, encouraging students to reflect on the importance of respect, tolerance and community in their daily lives. In the afternoons, Vice Principal Mr McGeown has inspired students with assemblies exploring the powerful connection between hard work and success, drawing on the England Cricket Captain as a shining example of determination and resilience. Our Sixth Formers enjoyed a valuable scholarly experience on Monday, visiting the local Savoy Cinema to view a theatre performance of The Fifth Step, enriching their studies through live performance analysis. Also on Monday, we were delighted to welcome back last year’s Year 11 and Year 13 students for our ‘alumni’ event, where they collected the GCSE, A Level and Level 3 certificates they worked so hard to achieve last summer. Midweek, our SEND Coffee Morning brought together parents, carers and families for an opportunity to connect, share experiences and strengthen the partnership between home and school. And to round off the week, a number of our talented students performed beautifully at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Kettering as part of the Kettering Carol Service, representing the academy with real confidence and festive spirit. Looking ahead, we are very much looking forward to welcoming Year 11 parents and carers into school this week to discuss their child’s progress with subject teachers — a key event in supporting our young people as they prepare for the crucial months ahead. We hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter and feel as proud as we do of all that our students continue to achieve. Warm regards,
Lodge Park Academy Leadership Team
Visit from Lee Barron MP
We were thrilled to welcome friend of the school Lee Barron back to Lodge Park as part of Parliament Week on Friday 28th November! Mr Barron accompanied Mr Kirby and Mrs Jones on a tour of the school, and he was blown away by the effort and application of our students. Mr Barron then led a bumper assembly to a packed hall. He spoke warmly of his affection for the town, what he hoped to change and his route into politics. The visit ended with some testing questions from our students! Mr Barron did not rule out a 4 day week for schools so watch this space!!!
Table Talk
Over the next few 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. What is self-harm? We all experience difficult feelings at some point and we all have our ways of coping. Self-harm is when we hurt ourselves to cope with difficult feelings. We might self-harm for many different reasons, and in different ways. Sometimes we might not realise we’ve self- harmed until afterwards. Why might I self-harm? Some of us use self-harm to deal with something difficult in our lives, or as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings. Sometimes we might not know what to do. Some of us might self-harm once and then try other ways of coping. But some of us might feel that it helps, so we start to rely on it. Some young people say they self- harm because they were trying to:
- Show how they feel without speaking
- Distract themselves from how they were feeling
- Cope with, or escape from painful feelings, thoughts and memories
- Feel more in control
- Punish themselves for something
- Stop feeling disconnected from themselves or the world
- Create a reason to look after themselves, like caring for wounds.
Why We Do What We Do
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing some contents of both House and Year Assembly topics with you in this section. This gives a glimpse of not only What we cover but also an explanation of the Why we cover them.
Above & Beyond
Tutors have been selecting students in their Tutor group who have demonstrated at least one of our LPA Core Values (Ambition, Aspiration, Respect, Resilience, Courage, Gratitude) consistently this term and are deserved of recognition on our Above & Beyond boards in the House Hub area of the Zone and celebrated during House assemblies next week. Tutors have nominated twice this term and then their Heads of House have then chosen a Star of the Term from all students nominated in their House. All students selected will go into a Prize draw at the end of the academic year and our Stars go into an additional special prize draw.
SENECA
We still have the hardest working students in North Northamptonshire – Seneca Update
It has been another solid week of independent learning from our KS4/5 students. We have maintained our top position in the locality but lag behind Charnwood and Barnes Wallis within the Trust.
Thank you once again for your professionalism, encouragement, and unwavering dedication to our students’ success. Keep up the amazing work Team Lodge Park!
Mr McGeown - Vice Principal, Quality of Education
Lodge Park Academy Bright Sparx
Each week our students at LPA complete Maths questions for their homework on Sparx. Some students answers additional questions, further increasing their mathematical knowledge. The Maths team would like to celebrate these students and recognise their dedicated work.
This week, we have also included a parent/carer link to 'A Parent's guide to Sparx maths', which may answer some questions that you might have about how to help your child if they need it.
Help is just a click away - https://sparxmaths.com/parents/
Mrs Irons - Director of Maths
LIMF Lunch-time Concert
Our A-Level Music students had the opportunity to attend a lunchtime concert in the Leicester International Music Festival (LIMF) to hear a phenomenal performance by Hugo Hymas (tenor) and Ashok Gupta (fortepiano) of Schubert's Die Schöne Müllerin (1823). We chose this concert as it links closely with the A2 Music composition brief to compose a vocal duet in the Western Classical Tradition. Our students engaged really well with the music and were rightly fascinated to see a fortepiano in real life (this one is a replica of Mozart's fortepiano!). We were lucky to meet the performers and organisers after the concert who chatted with us about music and period instruments.
Mrs Olner - LPA Teacher of Music
Student Achievements
It was a great event on Monday, 1st December hosting former Year 11 and Year 13 students! It was wonderful to celebrate their achievements once again as they collected their GCSE certificates. If you were not able to attend, please collect your certificates from Main Reception at your earliest convenience. Well done to all, we are so proud of you. 🎉
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 - Carol Services
Families are warmly invited to support LPA Choir singing carols in the DRET Carol Service at St Peter & Paul in Kettering (5th December 2pm) and at the Columba Church Carol Service (11th Dec 6pm). It's also a great time for students to join our growing choir – just turn up! We meet on Wednesdays after school in the hall until 4.15pm with Mrs Olner, Lucy Murphy (our Musician in Residence) and Rhonda Browne (our fabulous singing teacher).
Mrs Olner - LPA Teacher of Music
LPA House Championship 2025/2026
Kestrel Crowned Rowvember Champions
Its known as one of the World’s Toughest Rows for a reason… It was a great LPA effort throughout the month of November in the attempt to row the 550,000m challenge, from Lands End (UK) to New York (USA). Despite the efforts and contribution of 315 participants across the academy, we fell short by just 32,000m to reach the target before the end of the month. It was an ambitious challenge and one that students and staff at LPA worked really hard towards – next year we will achieve our goal! Congratulations to Kestrel who contributed the furthest distance the virtual race across the Atlantic. A whopping 204,809m was covered by Kestrel students and staff throughout the month to secure 100 House points. Osprey sealed a second place finish with a distance of 136,757m followed by Goshawk in third (90,873m) and Red Kite in fourth (80,529m). House points have been added to the house totaliser.
House Dodgeball – Next Week
House Dodgeball returns to the LPA House Championship next week as House teams will go head to head, in each year group across a week long competition. The competition will be taking place at lunchtime in the gym. Students who wish to take part must bring in their trainers. Year 7's kick off the competition on Monday. Please note that day in which your year group is competing.
LPA House Christmas Party – Thursday 18th December
Just two weeks to go until the LPA House Christmas Party. Tickets to attend this year’s event are now on sale. This is a ticketed event and open to all students who have met the LPA behaviour and attendance expectations and your child has met this. (Since 3rd November at the start of this term no more than one C3 and no C4s and 90% attendance or more) on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are £4 (£1.50 Free school meals) and include a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings plus access to a variety of Christmas games and prize draws in the main hall. Be quick as there are only 200 spaces available in both KS3 and KS4/KS5 party’s (400 places in total across the academy). To secure a space for your child payment must be made via MCAS by 11am Thursday 11th December. Please NOTE that any students who have raised £20 or more through the Santa Run will be provided with a FREE TICKET and wont have to pay.
LPA Tutor Group Christmas Tree Competition
Over the next two weeks each tutor group will receive their very own Christmas Tree. Each year we run this competition giving each tutor group the opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit between now and the House Christmas party on Thursday 18th December. Tutor Groups are tasked to work together to be as creative as possible and decorate their own trees, which will be presented at the party. House points will be awarded for the top 3 trees, plus bonus points for creativity!
Careers
Periodically the academy is sent information for current Labour Market Information. Labour Market Information (LMI) refers to data and analysis about jobs, employment, and the economy that helps individuals make informed decisions about their careers and education. It can play an important role in shaping the choices students make about their future career paths. LMI includes insights on employment trends, job availability, in-demand skills, salary ranges, required qualifications, and future job prospects.
Sports Club Timetable
Just a reminder that all after-school clubs finish at 4:10pm. If students would like to take part, please ensure they have their full PE kit.
If students would like to play on the Astroturf during lunchtime, they must bring trainers or football boots. Unfortunately, students will not be allowed on the Astroturf if they do not have the correct footwear.
It's great to see so many students taking part in our Sports Clubs.
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 19th December 2025
Lodge Park Academy Re-Opens -Tuesday 6th January 2026
Lodge Park Academy Closes - Friday 13th February 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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