Orchard Mead News
Spring 2020
A warm welcome to the new Dates for Your Diary
management at Orchard Mead. February/March The whole Orchard Mead Academy community would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thanks to Ms Gair 28th Feb English Theatre Performance Year 9 for her work over the last three years. Ms Gair worked tirelessly and with total dedication to stabilise the 4th March Author visit: Andy Briggs Year 8 school and begin its journey to transformation. So 5th March Parents evening Year 9 many new staff joined under her leadership and staff who stayed have benefitted from more stable systems 5th March Primary Basketball Final KS3 and processes. Challenge Partner reviewers noted 10/11th many improvements in teaching and learning and Vaccinations Year 9 March other aspects of school life. Outcomes improved over the last three years too. Every student has benefited 26th March Mock results evening Year 11 from the work began by Ms Gair which will now be continued initially by Ms Hindocha and Mr Oldman and April then by a newly appointed Principal. 2nd/3rd April Speed networking Year 10
Orchard Mead is proud to intro- 8th-12th April French Trip All years duce Ms Hindocha, Director of Secondary Education for the Mr Oldman has been a head teacher Mead Trust, with an Executive since 2012 and an Executive Head since Principal role for Rushey Mead 2015. He has chaired the City of Leices- Academy and Castle Mead Academy. ter Association of Special Schools for Born in Uganda, Ms Hindocha arrived in the UK aged four years and worked with the Depart- nine in 1972 as a refugee, a part of the exodus of the ment for Education on the whole school Ugandan Asian community. SEND programme board since 2017. Ms Hindocha has taught English in Leicester schools Mr Oldman has led two schools to multiple and held a number of senior leadership roles at Rushey outstanding Ofsted grades and has a passion for Mead Academy including that of Principal between school improvement and curriculum design across all 2014-2018. She is also a senior partner in the phases. In 2019 he was awarded Leicestershire Challenge Partner network of schools. Headteacher of the Year. Mr Oldman is truly passion- ate that all children should have a school experience Ms Hindocha regards herself as a lifelong learner and that inspires them and gives them memories that likes to keep up to date with the latest research and they can draw upon for the rest of their lives. He thinking in the field of education, particularly with joined The Mead Educational Trust in January 2020, regard to the promotion of social mobility, equality as Director of SEND and Inclusion, with Executive and excellence. Principal responsibilities.
Orchard Mead News A successful and encouraging Challenge Partners review.
Orchard Mead has successfully completed a Challenge Partners review where the Academy was visited by representatives of the partnership to observe and review the provision provided across the curriculum and beyond. The visit was very positive and many strengths were noted with comments such as the below singing the praises of the Academy.
Some comments from the Challenge Partners reviewers themselves:
“Teachers use increasingly effective strategies to enthuse students.”
“Good systems for monitoring the quality of teaching are in place.”
“Students speak positively about their school.”
“Students are keen to achieve and want to extend their knowledge and skills.”
“Teachers use insightful questioning to stimulate thought-provoking discussions and debates.”
“Students benefit from teachers’ good subject knowledge.”
“Strategies to improve students’ quality of education are evaluated and promoted to all staff.”
“Leaders have ensured that the curriculum is appropriate for all students.”
“Students who require additional support are identified at an early stage.”
Comments from the student body:
“The school recognises academic potential.”
“There is good teaching.”
“There is kindness in teachers.”
“There are plenty of events and opportunities.”
“We are expected to, “give it our all” in lessons.”
“We feel organised with homework and improved links to home around learning.”
“There is help and support to overcome barriers.”
“There are a variety of extracurricular activities from sports, choir, debate club, D of E and the Scholars Programme.” Thanks to Local Businesses
At the end of the December term staff celebrated all the successes of 2019 by enjoying a well deserved Christmas lunch with a raffle to reward all their hard work and commitment to Orchard Mead Academy. Many thanks to the following local business heroes for providing fabulous prizes: Sandhills Convenience Store and Post Office, Tescos Hamilton, Coles Garden Centre, Sainsbury’s Hamilton, Costco Beaumont Leys, White House Hamilton, Waitrose Oadby, Asda Oadby, Marks and Spencers Oadby and Costa Oadby! It was a joyous occasion which provided a great uplifting start to the Christmas holidays and staff left looking forward to the new exciting events to come in 2020!
Orchard Mead Academy’s Scholars Programme
At Orchard Mead Academy we have had the privilege of participating in The Scholars Programme.
22 Year 10 students submitted their final 2000-word assignments and anxiously awaited their results. All successful in passing, they were able to attend their graduation event on 12th February at the University of Sheffield with their proud parents. Well done!
Our Spring cohort—consisting of 12 Year 10 students—recently went on their launch trip to Downing College, part of Cambridge University. Our students behaved impeccably well and engaged with the day and all its planned sessions. It was a fantastic day out (even with the early start) which included a tour of the College.
The next stage for these students was to meet with PhD student, Jamie Banks, who hosts weekly tutorials with them and supports their work on the course, “A New System of Slavery: Indian Indentured Slavery and the Problem of Freedom”.
After this they too will complete a 2000-word essay on which will be graded using university-level marking levels. As the previous cohort will agree, this is a demanding but exciting opportunity to really stretch themselves academically. There’s A Lot Going On @ Orchard Mead So Stay In Touch
If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on @OrchardMead our Twitter feed is full of stories giving a flavour of life at OMA.
And on Facebook you will find us @OrchardMeadAcademy keeping you up to date with what’s going on at school.
But if you specifically want to know about your child—what homework they have been set or how many achievement points they have received—then don’t forget to sign up for Class Charts. Year 11 Mock Interviews
Our Year 11s had the fantastic opportunity to experience an inter- view in a morning of mock interviews with visitors from Connex- ions, Redstart and Leicester City Council. Despite the nerves, all students completed the interview, which will prove very useful as they start to prepare for interviews with their chosen colleges.
There has been some amazing feedback from both interviewers and interviewees. Of one student, an interviewer had the following comment: “A very pleasant young man, talkative and welcoming”. Of another: “Fantastic interview—very posi- tive, very interesting”. The positive comments abound…
“Once again another confident and pleasant person”
“An enthusiastic, friendly student who presented confidently” “Absolutely outstanding interview”
These comments speak for themselves so well done Year 11s and good luck with your future college interviews. Faculty focus: What is your child up to in English?
Head of English: Ms Diment.
Currently KS3 are following schemes of learning that include themes that Welcome to English! I have had a great impact on our Literary Heritage. Year 7 are enjoying a hope you are all as excited spooky ride through Victorian Literature, Year 8 a thrilling examination of by what is on offer as we Jekyll and Hyde and Year 9 the drama and excitement of Shakespeare. KS4 are! are well into the GCSE course with Year 10 currently focussing on English Language and Year 11 on English Literature.
Each scheme of work has a variety of activities, covering all the AO’s that will Examples of set work….. be examined in the final GCSE tests. The AO’s are introduced, developed and Year 7. extended in both fun and challenging ways to ensure students are all engaged and have a full and deep understanding of future requirements.
What’s coming up?
Year 7: War Poetry.
Year 8: Of Mice and Men. Year 8. Year 9: Non-Fiction Writing.
Year 10: Unseen Poetry and Language Paper 2. Year 11: Poetry comparisons and Mock Exam preparation.
Theatre visits in and out of What fun do school, just like the one we have in pictured where three English? Year 9. talented actors performed A Christmas Carol and Romeo and Juliet to a Private film screenings receptive Year 10 and 11! as a reward for excellent work and behaviour in English Fun weeks with competitions, quizzes and lessons! prizes! These competitions are all based around the current schemes of learning and are engaging, creative and purposeful! Year 10.
What can I do to support my child with their home learning?
Encouragement and praise is vital, ask questions and show interest.
Make sure your child does not miss out by attending every day.
Provide a quiet, well resourced area for working. Year 11.
Agree a working plan to balance school and home life.
If you would like to check on your child’s homework, it’s simple! For KS3 click on the QR code to the left and for KS4 click on the right! Public Heath Guidance.
You’re likely aware of the outbreak of novel coronavirus and the subsequent confirmed cases in the UK. At Orchard Mead Academy we take the health and safety of our pupils and staff very seriously, so we’re sharing guidance from Public Health England on steps you should be taking. The Public Heath guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
Thankfully there are no confirmed cases of the virus in the local area and there is no cause for concern in school, but we will keep you informed about any developments. Our premises team work hard on a daily basis to keep the build- ing clean and prevent the spread of any virus.
There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading: DO:
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately
wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell DON’T: Don't
do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
If you have travelled to an infected area and develop symptoms, however mild, follow the official guidance which asks you to stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS 111.
A Chinese Cooking Extravaganza for GCSE Students!
Two Chinese Cooking Ambassadors came to the Food Classroom at Orchard Mead Academy to talk to Year 10s about Food Provenance and traditional food culture in China. They demonstrated how to debone a chicken thigh and use classic Chinese techniques to create a Black Bean Chicken dish.
All the students did an absolutely amazing job and once again the Chinese Ambassadors complimented the enthusiasm and respectfulness of the students involved in the activity.
Deboning a chicken and presentation techniques are essential skills to master in the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE and the students will put them to the best use in their final NEA exams next year.
Staff and students acted as taste testers and were very impressed with the quality and standard of food produced.
One teacher commented, “This is really quality food. It feels like a special Friday night take away!” Physical Education at Orchard Mead
KS3: On offer: KS4: On offer:
Futsal! Indoor cricket!
Indoor cricket! Indoor football!
Duke of Edinburgh! GCSE dance!
This year has seen a fantastic start to PE and Here are some of the highlights from Term 1. School Sport at Orchard Mead. With 24 clubs on a
week there are plenty of opportunities to get Year 10 Boys progressed through to the involved. We have also seen some fantastic East Leicestershire Football play offs. performances from our students in festivals, Year 8 Boys unfortunately lost 5-3 in events, tournament and fixtures. Most their play-off game vs Rushey Mead. importantly, we have been really proud of Chad Randall bagged a brace and was attitudes and behaviour when we have been at awarded Man of the Match. fixtures. Well done to all! A great start to 2020! Year 7s are progressing through to the quarter final of the county cup, their game being played on Wednesday.
Year 7 boys remain unbeaten in Basketball having played 3 and won 3. Y7 Girls Netball W3 D2 L1. An amazing effort shown from the girls in their first competitive games. Maya Beck was a stand out performer. Years 7, 8 and 9 have taken part in Badminton fixtures for the first time. Well done to the KS4 Badminton in their first ever fixtures. Mo and Ziad winning 3 games between them. Thanks to Mr Patel for coming down to support the badminton fixture A huge well done to all pupils that took part in the Indoor Athletics events last week. All pupils were a credit to the school and displayed great commitment. On average 380 pupils are attending extra-curricular clubs each week. 20 pupils have successfully started their DofE Bronze Award. Opening Hours “I declare after all there is Monday to Friday no enjoyment like reading” 8.00 – 3.30 @OrchardMead_Lib Jane Austen
Reading Hall of Fame Code of Conduct Featured Book I Must… Looking at the Stars Enter sensibly Place bags and coats in the cubby holes (Lewis Hine) Use the laptops on the tables The incredible and inspira- Listen and follow directions tional story of Lewis Hine, the boy who was diagnosed Leave the Library as I found it with a brain tumour as a ba- Place all items borrowed or taken from by and became an internet shelves into the blue box on the Library desk sensation at 16 years old. I Must Not... “To me, in this day and age when we have so Eat or drink in the Library much bad news, it's so wonderful to see someone so young doing something so brave Treat books or laptops disrespectfully and so wonderful. It teaches us all a lesson. Use the Library to sit and chat with friends It's just really inspirational” (Elton John) Play games on the laptops Available in your library now.
Coming Soon
Students (and staff) will be encouraged to read as many of the 10 specifically chosen books as possible before June 2020. Students across Leicestershire then have the chance to vote on their favourites and, in June, there will be an awards ceremony. We hope to organise a trip and take some Orchard Mead Academy students to this event where they also have a chance to meet some of the authors! Keep an eye out around school for more details on this fantastic reading adventure.
Your Library If you have any suggestions on what books you would like to see in the Library; have thoughts on the layout; or comments on how it operates, please share these. You feedback and input into the Library is very important to us. It is your library, after all. Visit to De Montfort University.
In January, twenty year 10 boys, all studying DT at GCSE for outstanding progress who are very capable of studying Design based subjects beyond college level were chosen to take part in a trip to the prestigious Arts Department at Leicester’s De Montfort University. The experience was conducted by the, #IWantToBe… organisation and began on Tuesday 17th December. The students then took on board all the knowledge they had gained to transfer skills into their GCSE work. Students were split into two groups based on Footwear design and contour fashion. Both focused on sports design, with a design brief to create a logo for a sports brand based on the mood board's that the students created and presented. Lecturers from the university worked with the students and delivered a practical session showing the career and university choices based around the arts. It was a very successful day and the students enjoyed themselves in a huge environment which took their breath away. De Montfort Arts is an impressive, bespoke building with state of the art resources which enable innovative and specialised products. Many of the boys were inspired and now aspire to extend their skills and experience into further education. In terms of what will follow on from this initial session: The final deadline for choosing the students top 3 entries in each subject is 14th February 2020 Final work for both subjects’ top entries must be submitted by 22nd May 2020 All students will be invited to the DMU degree show on 17th June 2020, where the final entries will be displayed alongside the competition from the other schools. There will be 3 awards available: Best Footwear Product, Best Contour Product, and Best Designer.
All students were given a sketch book to work on their designs over Christmas, some of the designs produced so far have been amazing. – Watch this space for future excellence! English Theatre Company Performance and Workshops.
Year 10 and 11 students were treated to two masterclass performances of A Christmas Carol and Romeo and Juliet in January. The performances were creatively constructed and performed by only three actors who took the text down to it’s essence , concentrating on the emotions reflected through language. The workshops went one stage further encouraging volunteers to take to the stage to offer their own interpretations of Shakespeare's words. The feedback was immensely positive, so much so that further workshops have been planned for KS3 students to also gain insights into their studied texts. As Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage!”
Orchard Mead Staff set free their inner wolves!
Staff at Orchard Mead have heard the call of the wild and signed up for the summer ‘Wolf Run.’
Training is already underway for this gruelling, fun and messy 10 kilometre endurance race.
The off road run features a series of man-made and natural obstacles throughout the course.
The concept behind the run was to re-create the feeling of running in natural terrain– a wild run that would allow people to experience natural, raw running conditions as far as possible whilst also presenting runners with a challenging, interesting and enjoyable event. The Wolf Run is not a race; it’s a physical and mental challenge that every Wolf runner tackles in their own way-whether it’s running in a pack or running alone as the classic lone wolf!
The course is a unique mix of great running trails across open ground and through woodland. There are a series of physical challenges using man-made obstacles with the run course also featuring a huge number of nature’s finest objects, from lake swims to mud pits, fallen trees, boggy ground, ditches, hills and dense foliage, making the run more organic and recreating a natural, wild run!
Let’s hope the Orchard Mead wolves are ready for the challenge and have a howling success!