Halfway through our journey at Orchard Mead Academy, something special is happening.
For the past six months, our team has been working closely with the Year 11s—building trust, raising standards, and helping them see what they’re capable of. It’s been early mornings, tough conversations, breakthroughs, setbacks, and serious graft from everyone involved. And now, the impact is becoming impossible to ignore.
A 2% Attendance Increase — and It’s No Coincidence
Attendance is one of the strongest indicators of future success. When students show up, they learn. When they learn consistently, they grow. And when they grow, they win.
Since the Power Programme began, Year 11 attendance at Orchard Mead has risen by over 2% compared to last year.
For a year group, that’s massive. It’s not luck, it’s not chance, and it’s not a one-off motivational speech. It’s the result of deep, consistent work—day after day—on mindset, identity, resilience, and habits.
The students are showing up differently because they feel different. They believe in themselves more. They have direction. They have someone in their corner pushing them, challenging them, and reminding them that their future matters.
A Testimonial That Says It All
Tom Hague, Director of Education, summed it up better than anyone:
“Our Year 11 students have struck up a keen relationship with Cam over the past six months or so – and it’s no coincidence that as a year group their attendance is up over 2% on last year, and they are set to break all results records this summer.”
When leaders inside a school can see and feel the shift—not just hear it from students—that’s when you know the work is landing.
Culture is Changing, and Results Will Follow
Raising attendance isn’t just about turning up. It’s about students choosing to turn up because they want to be part of something. Because they feel connected. Because they’ve built momentum, identity, and belief.
This is exactly what the Power Programme is designed to do.
We’re only halfway through, yet the foundations for their best ever year are already taking shape. And if this is the impact at the midpoint, the second half of the programme is where things really accelerate.
The Mission Continues
To the Orchard Mead team—thank you for trusting us.
To the students—keep showing up, keep pushing, keep believing.
To the teachers and leaders watching from the sidelines—this is what happens when mindset meets consistency.
The best is yet to come. 🚀
