Your Year 9 Journey at Orchard Mead Academy: Shape Your Future

Building Your Foundation with Our Core
Here at Orchard Mead Academy, your core subjects – English, Maths, and Science – are the essential pillars we build upon. They are the key qualifications every employer, college and university looks for, and mastering them is the first step in being responsible for your own success. You’ll also study History or Geography, deepening your understanding of the world and how it has been shaped. These subjects aren’t just about exams; they are the tools that help you think critically and see the bigger picture, preparing you to make a difference.

Why Languages Matter: Unlocking Global Opportunities
Choosing a subject like French or Spanish is a powerful way to work hard towards a standout academic future. A language GCSE can earn you the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a respected measure of achievement that truly sets you apart. Students who study a language are more likely to continue into higher education and achieve stronger qualifications. With this addition, you can confidently compete with the best students across Leicester and beyond – that’s the opportunity a language provides.

Your Choices, Your Future Pathway
Beyond the core, you’ll have at least two free choices. This is your chance to shape a pathway that reflects your passions, whether you’re drawn to the arts, technology, or vocational subjects. The choices you make now are a key part of the Orchard Oath, allowing you to be kind to your future self by building a foundation for college and career opportunities. Think of it as designing your own roadmap to success.

Your Orchard Oath
Your Year 9 options aren’t just about filling in a form – they’re about choosing the path that reflects who you are and who you want to become, guided by the principles of our Orchard Oath.  Within Orchard Mead, you can find guidance and direction to help sculpt your future study and career choice.

Work hard by choosing subjects that will challenge and engage you. Don’t just choose what feels safe – choose what excites you and will push you to grow.

Be kind to your own ambitions. Think about where each subject could lead, from university courses to careers you haven’t even discovered yet.

Be responsible and own your decisions. Your choices matter.  They are the beginning of a journey.

For more information, please read through the Year 9 Options Booklet 2025-2026