COMMITMENT, OPTIMISM, RESILIENCE, EMPATHY
An Academy for girls in New Beckenham
IN THE HEART OF NEW BECKENHAM
Thank you for your interest in Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley.
However, our school is about far more than just the results we achieve; we provide a vibrant and well-rounded environment in which girls are prepared for happy and successful adult lives. Pastoral care is personalised and strong. We are fortunate to have a wonderful community of parents and we work closely with them.
Our GCSE and A Level results are among the best in the country, with progress consistently within the top 10% at GCSE and above national averages in the Sixth Form. We follow an academic curriculum with a huge variety of opportunities in science, sports, arts, languages and humanities. We are also a hub school for the teaching of Mandarin.
WELCOMETOHARRISGIRLS’ ACADEMY BROMLEY
We are a thriving and academically successful school for girls, based on Lennard Road in New Beckenham, with easy access to New Beckenham Rail Station.
As a local parent who lives with my family in Beckenham, I fully understand the hopes and aspirations parents have for their children and am proud to lead an Academy which supports young women to reach their full potential. Indeed our motto, all can – we will, serves to remind everybody that it is not enough just to have the opportunity to achieve – it needs to be grasped.
Mr David Astin, Executive Principal Samuel PrincipalRigby,
The Academy has state-of-the-art buildings and boasts incredible science, art, design and technology facilities, as well as sports facilities that benefit not only our girls but also the local community.
ALL CAN – WE WILL
If you are interested in applying for a place, please come and see us. The dates of our open events are published on our website and we also welcome visitors throughout the year who want to come and see the Academy in action. We look forward to meeting you.
The Academy is calm and purposeful and we believe that one of the keys to our success is that we foster a happy and welcoming environment in which to work and study.
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EDUCATING CONFIDENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL YOUNG WOMEN:
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Our success at GCSE and A-Level, demonstrates that we are achieving remarkable things.
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The learning philosophy of Commitment, Optimism, Resilience and Empathy develops learners who recognise that challenge is an opportunity not an obstacle. We know that successful learners are committed, optimistic, resilient and empathetic and our girls are. We encourage the use of the word yet, introducing strategies informed by the work of Hattie and Dweck, and have developed workshops in resilience and mindfulness.
Progress in Maths and Sciences at GCSE level are exceptionally high, and we continue our commitment to encourage our girls to study those subjects at A-Level in our Sixth Form.
We believe that the girls only have one opportunity to prepare for the challenges that will face them after they leave school and we are dedicated to ensuring that they are well prepared and will lead successful and happy lives.
We are committed to strengthening our community through collaboration with parents and local activities.
We are committed to inspiring our students to raise their aspirations, so they can achieve their very best. Our Staff, along with our Governing Body, are ambitious and act as positive role models for all our Students.
We encourage the students to participate in charitable activities both domestically and abroad, to further their experiences and understanding of our global diverse world.
We are committed to building the confidence of each student, encouraging and motivating them to take full advantage of all the opportunities to learn and broaden their horizons, while understanding the importance of respect and consideration to others. We believe this will enable them to make well informed life choices beyond their school years and develop as mature and responsible members of the community.
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Our core values of commitment, optimism, resilience and empathy form the foundation of our work and we strive to ensure that the whole school community is committed to success, optimistic about the future and resilient in the face of adversity.
CURRICULUM INTENT
We believe in the inherent joy and power of learning. It is our fundamental belief that a carefully designed curriculum encourages thoughtful, intrinsically motivated students who are passionate about learning and a kind, empathetic and thriving community. OUR CURRICULUM DESIGN, IS FOUNDED ON OUR BELIEF OF ‘ALL CAN: WE WILL.’ WE BELIEVE THAT OUR CURRICULUM GUIDES STUDENTS IN THEIR PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND CURIOSITY AND IS THE BED ROCK OF DEVELOPING CHARACTERS THAT CAN AND WILL SUCCEED.
The curriculum focuses on developing the whole student through traditional academic pathways, cultural enhancement and character development. With the vision to develop and nurture student’s empathy, intellect and aspirations. Through the breadth of curriculum on offer, we ensure students have the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the modern world.
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Our Transitions Team works closely with the girls throughout their time in Year 6 and into Year 7 to ensure that the transition from primary to secondary is as smooth as we can make it. On their first day, every girl is assigned to one of our four Faculties.
The girls identify with their Faculty, which provides a real sense of belonging to a smaller unit within the Academy. Every girl has a Faculty Director and a Faculty Tutor, who take personal responsibility for coaching them, setting goals with them and making sure they settle in well and that they achieve.
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Girls wear a shield showing their Faculty colour and are encouraged to win points for their Faculty through academic progress and achievement, good attendance and positive contributions in sport, the arts and Academy life more generally.
AN IMMEDIATE SENSE OF
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A CALM ATMOSPHEREORDERLYAND
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Achievement is always celebrated, with regular encouragement, praise and awards for girls when they work their hardest and behave well.
WE HAVE A FIRM EMPHASIS ON GOOD BEHAVIOUR SO THAT THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE ACADEMY, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, IS CALM, PURPOSEFUL AND ORDERLY.
“What I like most is that the teachers listen to you and help you if you’re ever in a difficult situation or do not understand the work. They make the lessons fun, which helps me learn.”
A clear Code of Conduct that girls respect, and a firm but fair system of sanctions, ensure all girls benefit from a relaxed but orderly environment.
Zoe, Year 9
LEARNING
THESE FOUR WORDS ARE AT THE HEART OF THE TEACHING AND LEARNING THAT TAKES PLACE EMPATHYRESILIENCEOPTIMISMCOMMITMENTHERE.
ETHOS OUR 10
We regularly invite role models from the outside world, particularly those who have been successful in our specialisms of Science and Enterprise, to speak to the girls and inspire them about their careers. But we are also very keen to develop the girls across the subject range, so whether your daughter is interested in literature, drama, music, languages, technology or art we have the courses for her.
The curriculum is broad, balanced and challenging and is personalised to every girl’s interests, needs and ability. University coaching, including Oxbridge training, begins at age 14 so that our girls are fully informed about the subjects they should be studying to gain places at the universities of their choice.
We have a personal best culture. We aim to inspire in our girls a spirit of creative enquiry and enterprise so that they have the opportunity to discover and enhance their personal strengths, aptitudes and interests. Parents and carers can feel confident that their daughters will be stretched and developed across the national curriculum, but also through courses such as Mandarin, Classical Civilisation and Latin. Just as importantly, girls who need extra tuition and support are given it, either in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.
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“I feel the Academy is a safe environment to learn in, where girls can express themselves and work hard to achieve their personal Zoe,ambitions.”Year10
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS A CRUCIAL PART OF YOUR DAUGHTER’S EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS AT HARRIS GIRLS’ ACADEMY BROMLEY.
WORKING PARTNERSHIPIN
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We encourage parents to be part of our quest to be a thriving, dynamic, inclusive and harmonious learning community along with our staff, governors and those who live in our local community. The Parent Forum meets every half term and members of the teaching staff and parents meet with the Principal to ensure that the Academy and the parents are working together in partnership.
FOCUS SCIENCEON AND ENTERPRISE
The disciplines associated with these two subjects –experimentation, systematic planning and rational judgement with Science; and commitment, optimism and resilience with Empathy – run through the entire learning ethos of our Academy.
For our Enterprise specialism, we have secured the support of Barclays Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers – as leading institutions and prestigious employers, they help us coach every girl towards happy and fulfilling career choices.
OUR TWO SPECIALISMS, WHICH SIT ALONGSIDE OUR WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM, ARE SCIENCE AND ENTERPRISE.
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As part of our Science specialism we have worked with two of the country’s leading universities: King’s College London and Imperial College London. Both universities have opened up their facilities for our girls to use and they ensure that any girls looking to read science-based subjects at university are mentored and encouraged.
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Ijeoma, Year 10
Student Commissioners are involved in a range of projects across the Academy. They work in partnership with teachers and other staff on initiatives such as peer mentoring, student interviews and learning research and by becoming prefects. Students and teachers work together, so that students have a positive impact not only upon the way that they learn, but on the way that we teach; they co-plan lessons with teachers and regularly feed back to the Leadership Team and the Governors on what it is like to be a student at the Academy.
PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SHAPING IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR ACADEMY.
COMMISSIONSTUDENTANDSTUDENTLEADERSHIP
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“The Student Commission is a very important part of HGABR. We help to connect students and teachers and aim to improve the school with input from our peers.”
Poppy, Year 8 “The Commission allows the authority and voice we have as students to be exercised fully while developing our skills that form us as a community.”
“Student Commission is open to all years and everyone is welcome to join.” Tugce, Year STUDENTS7
WHETHER A GIRL DIRECTS A PLAY, SINGS IN ONE OF OUR CHOIRS OR JOINS A SPORTS TEAM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO US THAT EVERYONE PARTICIPATES FULLY IN ALL ASPECTS OF ACADEMY LIFE.
As part of our desire to foster ‘real life learning’, we have established a horticultural environment at the Academy, with a dedicated team of staff and students developing and maintaining our allotment area. The allotment club looks after animals, supports an aviary, grows vegetables and herbs and even has its own Participantsmarket.are invited to sign up each term to allow as many students as possible to experience what is a thriving club. The allotment club helps to cultivate a sense of commitment, enthusiasm and hard work.
The girls see their produce and plants grow into a fantastic selection of vegetables, fruits and edible flowers, which we can sell at our Farmers’ Market. This gives them a great sense of pride as they reflect back on what they have achieved.
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We want every girl to have the chance to shine. Wherever there is demand for a club or activity, we always try to find a way to make it happen.
A EXTRA-CURRICULARWELL-ROUNDED EXPERIENCE
Academic lectures, sailing, Russian, trampolining, drama, Robotics Club, Debate Club, Choir and Language Leaders are just some of the activities our girls can try their hand at. We also arrange theatre and museum visits on a regular basis, as well as foreign language exchanges and trips abroad.
“There are many opportunities to join new clubs such as netball or drama, which allow us to really improve in the activities that we enjoy.”
Sanesha, Year 10
EXPERIENCE
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WE ARE PART OF THE HARRIS FEDERATION SIXTH FORM AND EDUCATION IN THE SIXTH FORM IS CO-EDUCATIONAL. OUR SIXTH FORMERS ARE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS.
Our students look at Sixth Form as an opportunity to prepare for university. This period of their education is filled with opportunities to develop their experience and to work with leading practitioners in the field they are interested in.
The Sixth Form regularly sends students to top Russell Group universities, specialist arts, drama and stage schools and direct into training for the careers of their choice.
The Sixth Form offers everything our students love about their Harris education in an environment where they are treated as young adults. It involves a step change and a new relationship with teachers. Our Sixth Formers wear suits not uniform and plan for a working day that fits in with a new type of learning.
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The Harris Federation Sixth Form has progression agreements with several good universities in London and the South East and continues to expand this. This means that, if our students can make the grades, they are guaranteed an offer of a place at these universities.
We have links with top London universities including King’s, Imperial and Goldsmiths, enabling our students to attend university lectures and conferences.
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Each year, a number of our students go on to win places at the Harris Westminster Sixth Form. A collaboration between the Harris Federation and Westminster School, this is one of the most selective state Sixth Forms in the country with its Sixth Formers generally all going on to study at the most prestigious universities in the UK and worldwide.
WESTMINSTERHARRISSIXTHFORM
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The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring progress and performance. Almost all Harris secondary academies are judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
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The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with 52 academies in London and Essex. 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.
PART OF THE SUCCESSFUL HARRIS FEDERATION
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.
FORAPPLYINGAPLACE
In addition to running schools, the Harris Federation provides high quality training and professional development for teachers throughout this part of FollowEngland.@HarrisFed on Twitter to stay updated.
The AGB includes representation from our teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and the local community.
The Chair of our AGB, Mrs Rosalyn Wilton, has had a highly successful career and has served in a number of Chairman and Chief Executive roles in the City. She is a role model for our girls and visits the Academy regularly to meet them.
You should name Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley on the Common Application Form given to you by your local authority.
Our full admissions policy is available on our website.
As Chair of our AGB, Mrs Wilton also sits on the Board of the Harris Federation.
There are 180 places in Year 7. We welcome applications from girls of all academic abilities.
GOVERNINGACADEMY BODY
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Sir Daniel Moynihan Ed.D, M.A., B.Sc. (Econ), Chief Executive
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.
If you are interested in a place, we would strongly encourage you to attend our Open Evening with your daughter.
There will be a right of appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel for unsuccessful applicants.
Lord Harris of ChairmanPeckham,
Bus routes that service Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley: 54, 75, 194, 227, 356, 358 Lennard Road, Beckenham BR3 1QR T: 020 8778 5917 F: 020 8778 2043 Email: info@harrisbromley.org.uk www.harrisbromley.org.uk @HarrisBromley, @HGABR6F, @HarrisBromleyY7 /HarrisGirlsAcademyBromley An Academy for girls in New Beckenham