What are the staggered start and finish times and why are we implementing them? We have adjusted school start and finish times for each year group to support social distancing and prevent public transport and the school entrance becoming over crowded. We have 1200 students arriving and leaving each day.
| Year Group | Entrance / Exit Area | Start Time | Finish Time |
| Year 7 | Student Reception Gate- Straight to Tutor Rooms (Science Block) | 8.40am | 2.55pm |
| Year 8 | Sports Hall Gate– Straight Tutor Rooms (Humanities) | 8.40am | 2.55pm |
| Year 9 | Student Reception Gate- Straight to Tutor Rooms (MFL/ICT) | 8.40am | 2.55pm |
| Year 10 | Sports Hall Gate– Line up in Tutor Groups at Science Block side | 8.30am | 2.45pm |
| Year 11 | Student Reception Gate- Line up in Tutor Groups at Field side | 8.30am | 2.45pm |
Here is a reminder of the times of the school day and which gate your child should use when entering the school.
Gate at the Sports hall entrance
Year 10 – gate opens at 8.15 – closes at 8.25 – start of school at 8.30am
Year 10 Line up at the science block side
Year 8 – gate opens at 8.25 – closes at 8.35 – start of school at 8.40am
Gate at Student reception entrance
Year 11 – gate opens at 8.15 – closes at 8.25 – start of school at 8.30am
Year 11 Line up at the Field side
Year 9 – gate opens at 8.25 – closes at 8.35 – start of school at 8.40am
Year 7 – gate opens at 8.25 – closes at 8.35 – start of school at 8.40am
Orchard Mead Academy Term Dates 2022-2023
(the dates for the next academic year are below)
| Term No 1: 34 days (6 weeks 4 days) | |
| Schools Open ( Year 7 and 11 only) | Tuesday 30 August 2022 |
| All students in school | Wednesday 31st August 2022 |
| Schools Close | Friday 14 October 2022 |
| Autumn Half Term Holiday | Monday 17 October 2022 to Friday 21 October 2022 |
| Term No 2: 39 days (7 weeks 4 days) | |
| Schools Open | Monday 24 October 2022 |
| School Closed | Friday 25 November 2022 |
| Schools Close | Friday 16 December 2022 |
| Christmas & New Year Holiday | Monday 19 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023 |
| Term No 3: 33 days (6 weeks 3 days) | |
| Schools Open | Wednesday 4 January 2023 |
| Schools Close | Friday 17 February 2023 |
| Spring Half Term Holiday | Monday 20 February 2023 to Friday 24 February 2023 |
| Term No 4: 25 days (5 weeks) | |
| Schools Open | Monday 27 February 2023 |
| Schools Close | Friday 31 March 2023 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday 3 April 2023 to Friday 14 April 2023 |
| Term No 5: 29 days (5 weeks 4 days) | |
| Schools Open | Monday 17 April 2023 |
| May Bank Holiday (schools closed) | Monday 1 May 2023 |
| Schools Close | Friday 26 May 2023 |
| Summer Half Term Holiday | Monday 29 May 2023 to Friday 2 June 2023 |
| Term No 6: 30 days (6 weeks) | |
| Schools Open | Monday 5 June 2023 |
| Schools Close | Friday 14 July 2023 |
| Summer Holiday begins | Monday 17 July 2023 |
190 Pupil Days
Bank Holidays:
29 August 2022
26 & 27 December 2022
2 January 2023
7 & 10 April 2023
1 May 2023
29 May 2023
Inset days:
25 & 26 August 2022
3rd January 2023
25 November 2022
PL Days
School will close for all pupils early for Professional Learning for staff.
Monday 19th September 2022
Monday 10th October 2022
Monday 7th November 2022
Monday 5th December 2022
Monday 23rd January 2023
Monday 13th March 2023
Monday 17th April 2023
Monday 8th May 2023
Monday 12th June 2023
Together We Can Make a Positive Difference