PRIMARY PROSPECTUS A new all-through academy with drive and ambition
Learning Changes Lives In September 2017, we joined the Harris Federation, one of England’s most successful groups of academies. All of their academies inspected by Ofsted are rated ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’, with the majority rated ‘outstanding’.
At Harris, we know that children achieve their best when they feel happy and safe. We want our pupils to have a well-rounded and truly enjoyable education so that, by the time they are ready to move on to secondary school, they have the academic and social skills they need to thrive.
Speaking with our pupils and teachers is the best way of finding out about what we have on offer. So, if you are considering our academy for your son or daughter, please do come along to an admissions event. Mr Christopher Everitt, Executive Principal
My background with the Harris Federation is in leading the turnaround of schools, so that pupils get the high standard of education and care they deserve. I hope that this prospectus gives you a sense of our drive and ambition for this school.
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An all-through education Being able to stay in one school from Reception through to Sixth Form benefits pupils at all stages of their education, as well as being convenient for parents with children of different ages.
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With secondary teachers already onsite, we are able to give our primary pupils a head start in the curriculum through specialist teaching in subjects like art, sport and languages. As they get a little older, we begin introducing them to the facilities normally reserved for secondary-age children – such as science laboratories – to engage their interest and curiosity. Once they reach age 11, pupils have the stability of staying on for their secondary schooling – avoiding the disruption of having to adjust to a completely new setting.
While the whole academy works together as one, primary pupils are housed in a dedicated area of the building – with separate entrances and exits, and their own classrooms, toilets and playground.
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Happy in the classroom Especially at such a young age, it is important children are taught and looked after in the right way for them. Our staff support each child to be the best they can. Every lesson is creative The aim of our teachers is always to deliver lessons that children enjoy and feel motivated by. We believe that all lessons in every subject should be creative.
As part of the Harris Federation, which has its own training school for teachers, our staff receive outstanding professional development to make sure that standards are consistently high in every classroom.
We want all of our pupils to be confident readers, writers and mathematicians. Our teachers make sure these areas, as well as the rest of the National Curriculum, are taught in ways that engage the natural sense of curiosity that children have.
Children treated as individuals
The result of this is that children become eager, confident pupils who understand the joy of learning and are prepared well for academic success.
We step in quickly if a change is needed. For some children, this might involve one-to-one support if they are finding something difficult, and for others it could mean stretching them more to keep them interested. As an academy parent, you are welcome to discuss your son or daughter with us at any time. We also send reports home every term.
High standards in every classroom Each week, term and year is significant in a child’s life, which means consistency is particularly important in their primary education.
We want children to retain their individuality and be treated the right way for them.
We welcome children of all abilities and want them to enjoy school and thrive. For children with special educational needs, one of our first steps is to work with their parents and other specialists to create a plan for supporting them. Our approach as a whole is reviewed with children’s classroom teachers, relevant specialists and parents every half term.
An academic head start As children progress through the school, one of our aims is to make sure we give them a ‘head start’ for the rest of their education. Once they reach Years 5 and 6, they begin to be taught by specialist subject teachers, just like in secondary school. As well as engaging them in exciting new ways, this gives them deeper understanding of the subject at hand and helps prepare children for a successful transition to secondary school.
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Happy outside the classroom There is always time at the academy for children to think, to play, to discover and wonder so that they become well-rounded, resilient and confident. Hobbies, skills and experiences Our teachers and other staff seek to discover and nurture at least one special talent within each child. There is something for everyone in our extracurricular programme, which is packed full of music, dance, drama and sport. As your children progress through their education, typical outings and trips might include learning about World War II at the Imperial War Museum, exploring the solar system at the Science Museum and finding out about the Tudors at Ightham Mote in Sevenoaks.
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Every pupil has a friend
Healthy and tasty meals
We want the academy to feel friendly and welcoming and we always make sure that pupils feel happy and included. Our children are taught to respect each other and their teachers.
Our school lunches and other snacks and meals are healthy as well as tasty. Pupils may bring in packed lunches if they prefer.
There is a zero tolerance approach to any type of bullying.
Traditional standards of behaviour Our academy is relaxed and comfortable but pupils know that good behaviour is expected of them. They are frequently praised and rewarded for trying their best and for being kind, hard-working and well-behaved.
Wrap-around care We provide a Breakfast Club and After School Club for all children whose parents require these. The clubs are well-organised and fun.
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Harris Federation Our academy is run by the Harris Federation, a notfor-profit charity with nearly 30 years’ experience of running happy and successful primary and secondary schools in and around London. The Harris Federation has an exceptional track record with academic progress far greater than the national average. Every Harris academy so far inspected by Ofsted is rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, with the majority rated ‘outstanding’. The founder and Chairman of the Harris Federation is Lord Harris of Peckham. His vision of delivering happy and successful education is brought to life by an excellent team of teachers and leaders. As well as joint working between the teachers at our academies, there are many shared experiences for our students. These include federation-wide sports days at the National Sports Centre; Harris Experience, a unique programme that readies our most able students for life at top universities; and inter-academy events such as one-to-one reading partnerships between our primary and secondary schools, World Maths Day and Debate Mate. You can follow the Harris Federation on Twitter: @HarrisFed.
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Apply for a place There are 90 places available in Reception every September and applications are made through the London Borough of Bexley’s coordinated admissions process. Our admissions policy is on our website. If you are interested in a place, please consider attending one of our open events – the dates are on our website. We look forward to meeting you. All of our primary pupils are guaranteed a place in the secondary phase.
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Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Erith, Kent, DA18 4DW T. 0208 320 4800 Email. info@harrisgarrard.org.uk  www.harrisgarrard.org.uk
@HarrisFed