Orchard Mead Academy

Orchard Mead Academy, formerly referred to as Hamilton College, is really a co-educational comprehensive school in Leicester, England, taking children between eleven and 16.

The school grew to become an academy on 1 September 2017, joining the Rushey Mead Educational Trust (RMET) like a backed academy.

The primary school building dating in the 50s and 60s was replaced in 2014 included in the Building Schools for future years programme. Included in these works Nether Hall Special School co-located with Hamilton around the Keyham Lane West site. 2502 Squadron Air Training Corps also shares the college site.

The college was awarded the status of the specialist Technology College in September 2001.

The main is Jackie Gair, who required within the role in April 2017. The college has already established several alterations in leadership because the retirement from the lengthy standing principal, John Morris.

In 2013, 68% from the school’s 16 year-old pupils achieved five or even more GCSE passes at grades A* to C, with 50% of pupils doing this including GCSE British and Maths. In 2014, 55% of scholars achieved 5 GCSE grades A*-C including British and Maths this figure dropped to 25% in 2015.

In 2016, the college achieved a progress 8 score of -.73, placing it towards the bottom 10% of colleges in England. In 2017 the school’s progress 8 score being worse at -.78.

In October 2016, the college was rated by Ofsted as “Insufficient” in most areas and it was put into special measures.

In June 2017, the college attracted critique after informally excluding a minimum of 40 pupils for peacefully protesting against cuts to education funding and compulsory redundancy of support. The headteacher, Jackie Gair, declined to discuss the incident, however a statement from the neighborhood authority, Leicester City Council, mentioned the authority “was pleased considering that the situation was managed.” Many parents responded by saying they merely peacefully protest against Hamilton Academy policies.