Harris Academy Clapham - Prospectus 2021

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EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE Our academy is a superb place to learn.

Our students work hard and are fully supported in turning their dreams into reality. Our aim is that they will leave with a deep sense of achievement, ready to excel, and filled with an inner confidence that ‘everything is possible’.

Our brand-new building is purpose-built for our students. They are educated with us until Year 11, after which they will be able to apply to Harris Clapham Sixth Form which opened nearby in September 2021. The two academies will work very closely together and even before our students reach Sixth Form age, there will be opportunities for shared learning, mentoring and support.

Gizlé Landman Principal

Sam Hainey Executive Principal

Being part of this academy from its inception and to help it grow and become a true beacon of learning in the community, is an amazing opportunity for all our staff. Our students appreciate and relish the opportunities we create for them as we all strive to be the best version of ourselves we can possibly be.

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OUR 2022 COHORT Students joining in 2022 will be the third year group in the academy. They will follow in the footsteps of our inaugural Year 7 groups and help them to embed our commitment to learning and developing as individuals. They will offer support and encouragement to our new intake through student leadership and mentoring of the younger groups as they model being an outstanding Harris Clapham student.

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Our priority is to select teachers who are experts in their fields with deep subject knowledge and an exceptional ability to support, challenge and enthuse students. They are skilled in ensuring that the needs of each individual child are met.

A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION We want all our students to enjoy their education and to achieve their true potential. We offer a broad range of high-quality subjects and they are taught to an exceptional standard.

We achieve the right balance across all national curriculum subjects. In line with our value of ‘having a global view’, all students study two languages at key stage 3 (Years 7 to 9). As well as Spanish, students learn Chinese as part of an initiative run by the Harris Federation to improve the quality of Chinese language teaching in London.

We also offer excellent teaching and resources for sport, technology and the full range of performing arts.

Our curriculum has a deliberate focus on giving a ‘holistic education’, we actively shape the character of our students and give them the best personal development. We call this ‘The Clapham Character’.

This way they will have the greatest opportunity to make their mark on the world.

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ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES Students are constantly encouraged to learn new things and to enjoy new challenges that go well beyond the curriculum.

Our enrichment calendar is published each term: it has some permanent fixtures but also fresh opportunities on a regular basis for students to do something completely new. One term students might choose to learn flamenco dancing and the next term computer coding!

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Looking forward we will be part of Harris Experience. This programme has been designed for the most able students from Year 9 onwards.

It exposes them to a range of academic and cultural experiences that take their learning well beyond the curriculum. Recent examples range from learning the art of auctioneering at Christie’s to a day of lectures at the University of Oxford. We will make sure that this builds on what we will do with our students in Years 7 and 8.

OUR VALUES All leaders, staff and students at the academy will uphold the same five values:

ENDEAVOUR to relish challenge, learn to take sensible risks and to never give up

SELF-BELIEF to believe that they can and will go on to achieve their ambitions

HONESTY to act with integrity, treating others the way they would like to be treated

EXCELLENCE to never settle for second best or for the easiest option

HAVING A GLOBAL VIEW to understand their place in the world and how they can make it a better place

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THE CLAPHAM COMMITMENT Our commitment to our learning applies to staff and students alike. We are all on a learning journey.

Through upholding The Clapham Commitment, we ensure that our vision and values are tangible in every-day life in the academy and beyond.

I am here to develop into the best version of myself I can possibly be.

To support me with this, I will always strive to be PERFECT: P repared and ready for learning • Have all my equipment with me for each lesson (including my reading book) • Complete my homework • Review my learning from the previous lesson so that I store it in my long-term memory E xemplary in the way I present myself • Show good manners and always be polite in the way I interact with others • Take pride in the presentation of my work and in my uniform

• Arrive on time to the academy and to lessons so that no learning time is wasted • Move quickly and calmly when the bell goes • Respond promptly to instructions and at the first time of asking E xcited to learn • Make the most of opportunities I am given, so that I can make my mark on the world • Celebrate my learning by sharing it with others, for example in group work, assemblies and on trips • Relish tasks that challenge me so that I continue to stretch myself C urious to know more • Ask questions to find out more • Read widely around my subjects to extend my understanding and vocabulary • Be willing to try new things, knowing that mistakes are also learning opportunities

• Act with integrity, honesty and kindness

T enacious in all that I do

R espectful of others, my environment and myself

• Complete tasks to the very best of my ability

• Be a sensitive listener to the views of others

• Be determined to succeed even when I find it challenging

• Embrace the fact that we are all unique and celebrate this • Look after the academy equipment and environment as if it were my own

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F ocused on being successful

• Never give up

ADMISSIONS Every year since the academy opened its doors for the first time, we have been full and had a growing waiting list. To apply for one of our 195 places, name Harris Academy Clapham on the Common Application Form provided by your home local authority.

Like all secondary schools, children with education, health and care plans or a statement of special educational needs will be offered the first places.

Looked-after and previously looked-after children will have next priority.

Then priority will be given to students of Glenbrook Primary School. Although the two schools are not affiliated to each other, we are next door to one another.

All remaining places will be offered to children on the basis of the closeness of their home to the academy.

Our full admissions policy can be found on our website.

www.harrisclapham.org.uk

After this priority will be given to siblings of students already attending the academy.

Priority will also be given to children of staff who have been recruited to fill skill-shortage areas.

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WHAT OUR CLAPHAM FAMILY SAY ABOUT OUR ACADEMY Below are some of the comments from our student and parents:

“Harris Academy Clapham is not only a school where you can prosper in your education, but also a place where you can mould your character.”

“This school is really amazing. We are provided with a lot of opportunities and experiences. We are lucky to be here.”

“My child is so happy to go to school. It makes such a difference to have amazing teachers that care for the students. Thank you for all you do.”

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PART OF THE SUCCESSFUL HARRIS FEDERATION The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with 50 academies in London and Essex. The founder and Chairman of the Harris Federation is Lord Harris of Peckham. His vision of delivering a happy and successful education is brought to life by an excellent team of teachers and leaders.

The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring progress and performance. Almost all Harris secondary academies are judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Harris secondary academies are known for combining traditional standards of manners, discipline and uniform with the best of modern teaching and technology. There are around four applications from parents for every place available.

We send many of our sixth formers to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities – winning places on these prestigious courses at a rate of more than twice the national average – as well as top apprenticeships and competitive vocational courses. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

In addition to running schools, the Harris Federation provides high quality training and professional development for teachers throughout this part of England.

Follow @HarrisFed on Twitter to stay updated.

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33 Clarence Avenue, SW4 8LD T. 020 4513 9350 E. info@harrisclapham.org.uk  @HarrisClapham

www.harrisclapham.org.uk

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