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.