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catchment.school

Orchard Mead Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Orchard Mead Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Leicester , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1045 pupils, and a capacity of 1200 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-16

Age range

1,045

Pupils

1,200

Capacity

87%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Orchard Mead Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Orchard Mead Academy?

The catchment area for Orchard Mead Academy is the geographic zone Leicester uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Leicester publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Orchard Mead Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Leicester. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Leicester before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Leicester catchment area documents →

Orchard Mead Academy: 1200 places, 87% filled: places available

Orchard Mead Academy has a published admission number of 1200 places. 1045 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 87%. At 87% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1200 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 37.8% of pupils at Orchard Mead Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Leicester.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Leicester publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Leicester school admissions →

Orchard Mead Academy: School Information

Full address
Keyham Lane West, Leicester, LE5 1RT
Local authority
Leicester
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
37.8% of pupils
DfE URN
144629

Other Secondary Schools in Leicester

If Orchard Mead Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Leicester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Orchard Mead Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Orchard Mead Academy

What is the catchment area for Orchard Mead Academy?

The catchment area for Orchard Mead Academy is the geographic zone Leicester uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Leicester publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Orchard Mead Academy oversubscribed?

Orchard Mead Academy has a capacity of 1200 places and currently has 1045 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Leicester.

What is the admissions policy for Orchard Mead Academy?

Admission to Orchard Mead Academy is managed by Leicester. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Orchard Mead Academy cover?

Orchard Mead Academy is a secondary school in Leicester, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Orchard Mead Academy?

Orchard Mead Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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