STEP INTO YOUR GREATNESS: WORK HARD BE TAKEKINDRESPONSIBILITY
Harris Academy Greenwich is a highly successful school for students from 11-18. We have been a part of the highly successful Harris Federation since 2011 and have established a hard-earned reputation for excellence. We are a community of staff, students and parents who work together to ensure every child can Step into their
WELCOMEGreatness.
In this corner of South-East London we have a clear mission: to run a great school which offers every child, regardless of circumstance, the chance to thrive both personally and academically.
We know that academic progress is critical to our students enjoying lives of choice and opportunity but that they also need to develop the content of their character and have a range of rich experiences which they will never forget. We want to help students develop warm hearts and cool heads so that they are ready for the challenges of adolescence and ultimately adulthood. In short, we want our students to live well.
OUR MISSION
We make no apology for believing a key part to a happy and fulfilled life is a great set of exam results. They are the currency which students require to progress to next stage of their education. No amount of celebrity disapproval or stories of success against the odds will convince us otherwise. Results matter to our community.
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Our students are very proud to be a part of our school community because they know that this is a place where they can Step into their Greatness.
Why we do what we do.
How we deliver an exceptional education.
We have very clear rules on homework, equipment and uniform because students must be ready to learn. We have very clear routines in the classroom so that all students can benefit from a disruption free environment. Students are expected to work for long periods of time in silence so that they can think deeply about the knowledge at hand.
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We foster a love of learning, thinking and scholarship so that our students thrive not only at school and university but also later in life. To this end, we offer all students from Year 7 to Year 13 a variety of opportunities for intellectual engagement at the highest level both inside and outside the classroom. We teach them how to take responsibility for their own learning and insist they become more independent over time so that they are ready for the next stage.
Our days are longer than other local schools. Students have more time in the classroom to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding, as well as more opportunities to participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities that enrich and broaden their cultural capital. We value punctuality and expect students to be on time every time. There are no shortcuts to Wesuccess.establish
We focus relentlessly on learning, operate tight routines and build strong relationships with children and their families. This forms the platform for students to be able to Step into their Greatness.
a three-way partnership between families, students and staff. At Greenwich all parents sign a Home Academy Agreement that outlines our shared commitment to hard work and a consistent support of one another.
OUR ROUTINES
Originally from Nepal, Pravas is in Year 11 and is making impressive progress. Consistently well above target in all his subjects, he particularly loves English and Geography. A talented sportsman, he was part of the football team that won the London Cup last year.
“I’ve made lots of really nice friends here and it’s a great place to be. I’m really proud of my progress here and the reputation of the school.”
CASE STUDY Pravas, Year 11
Ezra is in Year 8 and is a peer mentor to Year 7, which involves showing them around the school and sorting out any problems they might have. He is a fantastic role model for other students. His favourite subjects are Maths and Science.
CASE STUDY
“I loved being in Year 7. It was so exciting meeting lots of new people but in a really safe environment. The Principal gets to know all our names and faces and welcomes us at the gate every morning, rain or shine.”
Ezra, Year 8
How we think and act.
Harris Academy Greenwich is a great place to work. We recruit, train and retain the very best staff then let them get on with it. We take the issue of workload seriously and make sure our working practices are sustainable. Our teachers are subject experts and boss their classroom accordingly. We cultivate effective, autonomous leaders at every level of the organisation. We are successful because every day 140 brilliant people work tirelessly to support students towards greatness.
Be Kind: We are tolerant of difference and treat others with respect and dignity. We are kind to ourselves and look out for one another. We do the right thing even when no-one is looking.
Who we are.
If you want your child to Step into their Greatness then this is the place to be.
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Take responsibility: We understand that we are responsible for our actions. We work hard to understand our emotions and manage them effectively. When we make a mistake, we put things right. When there is a setback, we are resilient and look to improve.
OUR PEOPLE OUR CULTURE
We have an unwavering commitment to nurturing a culture where students work hard, be kind and take responsibility. Over time our students develop the character which will help them succeed at school and beyond. These values underpin all aspects of life at the academy:
Work hard: We understand that nothing in life is handed to us on a plate. We do what it takes for as long as it takes. Teachers expect 100% effort 100% of the time and students will be challenged when they fall below this standard.
Moving to secondary school can be scary. But not here.
Every single morning our senior team and pastoral team greet the students on the gate from 8.15am to ensure their safe arrival and then later bid them farewell at the end of the day to ensure they leave safely from school.
A SAFE COMMUNITYWELCOMINGAND FOR OUR NEW YEAR 7S
Transition to secondary starts well before the summer with staff visits to all our feeder primary schools. Senior staff meet every single parent and child in one-to-one meetings in July. The first day in September is just for Year 7 so they feel confident before the rest of the school joins the following day. Students are given tours of the academy in small groups so they can get to know how everything works and what our expectations for them.
It is important to us that your child feels safe and secure all day long, so our teams are highly visible and proactive, resulting in consistently calm and positive behaviour for learning.
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CASE STUDY
“I love sport here. Harris Sports Day is awesome and I really want to compete next year… but I know all the subjects are important. I find studying English quite difficult but I’m getting better all the time. I really want to do well and I know I will.”
Daniel is in Year 10 and a keen sportsman. He trains with the football team at 7.30am once per week and also plays badminton, trained here by a former British number 1. Unsurprisingly his favourite subject is PE but he works hard in all his subjects.
Daniel, Year 10
Konrad, Year 13
“I love the community spirit at the Academy. We are all really close and help each other out. The staff really believe in us.”
CASE STUDY
Konrad is a Sixth Form student and has just completed Year 12 here at Harris Academy Greenwich, achieving excellent grades at AS level. Originally from Poland and speaking little English, he has thrived at our Academy and has really enjoyed his time here. Now completely fluent in English, he plans to study Chemistry, Biology and History A Levels in Year 13 with the firm ambition to attend an elite university.
To give all our Sixth Form students the opportunity to reach their full potential, we offer a wide range of A Level courses. Class sizes are small, resources excellent and the teaching outstanding. Naturally this leads to great results and high aspirations for our students.
SIXTHOUR
There is a wide range of enrichment opportunities in which, as ambassadors of the Academy, the students are encouraged to participate, such as mentoring younger students, taking on roles in the local community and participating in our extensive careers programme.
The close ties which the Harris Federation has with not only some of the UK’s top employers, but also many Russell Group Universities, and in particular Harris Manchester College, Oxford, ensure that our Sixth Form leavers have the best possible futures ahead of them, regardless of whether their next steps are into the work place or into Further Education.
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Tilly is a talented student who is moving into her final GCSE year. She is part of the Student Commission and is often on the panel for interviewing prospective staff.
CASE STUDY
Tilly, Year 11
“I’ve always loved this school. The Academy is really diverse and there are always people to look out for you – whether you are introverted or extroverted you’ll find great friends and supportive teachers here.”
PART OF THE SUCCESSFUL HARRIS FEDERATION
The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with nearly 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.
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The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring performance. Almost all Harris secondary academies are judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
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.
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.
Harris Sixth Forms are diverse, offering students a series of very different, but equally ambitious, routes for their future. And Harris sixth formers are remarkably successful at progressing to the most prestigious universities – winning places at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities at a rate of more than twice the national average – as well as top apprenticeships and competitive vocational courses.
Mr McMillan and Mr Docherty have worked together for over a decade. They share the same drive to lead a slick, SENIORABOUThappywell-disciplined,school.THELEADERS
George McMillan Executive Principal & National Leader of
Jack Docherty Head of School
Mr McMillan is a National Leader of Education (NLE), Executive Coach and a leadership development trainer for future Headteachers. Originally from Glasgow, he graduated from Aberdeen University with an MA in English Literature, and then from Edinburgh University with a PGCE and a burning desire to teach. Mr McMillan still teaches English which he fits around his other responsibilities including overseeing a number of secondary schools in the Federation. He is highly visible leader in each of his schools and believes in the mantra of having fun, working hard, being kind and taking responsibility
Education
Open Events Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 9 Nov 2022 Internals 4:30pm – 5:30pm Externals 5:30pm – 7:30pm Y7 Open Evening Thursday 22 Sept 2022 6.00pm - 8.30pm Y7 Open Days Tuesday 13 Sept 2022 Wednesday 14 Sept 2022 9.00am - 11.15am 12
Mr Docherty has worked with Mr McMillan for over a decade. Originally from South London, he graduated with a First in Biochemistry from the University of Bath. After spending a few years in the medical research field, he realised that his passion lay in the classroom and qualified to teach through the Teach First programme. Mr Docherty joined Harris Greenwich in 2011 and worked as a Lead Practitioner and Head of Science before being appointed to Assistant Principal, where he led teaching, learning and staff development.
He was promoted to Vice Principal at Harris Academy Ockendon in September 2020, one of Mr McMillan’s other schools. Mr Docherty played a crucial role in guiding the school through the pandemic successfully and raising standards in all areas to become of the best schools in Essex. He has returned to Harris Greenwich as Head of School and shares Mr McMillan’s philosophy about leading a school where students and teachers can really thrive in a well-disciplined, slickly run school.
“The rich curriculum offer is taught by staff who are both experts in, and passionate about, their subject. Pupils’ work is of a consistently high quality across all subjects. Parents really value the way leaders and staff understand and cater for each pupil’s individual needs and circumstances, including those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”
“Leadership is inspirational and the vision and energy is shared throughout the school.”
Number of students on roll: 1150 Age range: 11 – 18 (Key Stage 3 – 5)
a well-planned curriculum that aims to promote pupils’ development as informed, responsible and tolerant citizens. Careers education is comprehensive and highly aspirational. There is a wide and rich set of experiences for all pupils. Clear and consistent systems for managing behaviour mean that there is little disruption to Leadershiplearning.”and Management: Outstanding.“Leadershaveputinplace
Key Facts
Number of places available: 180 in year 7; 125 in year 12 (30 reserved for external students) How to apply: through your local authority admissions booklet. In-year transfers and 6th Formers can apply direct to the school.
Personal Outstanding.Development:“Pupilsenjoyschoolandfeelsafe.Thereis
of schools in England for GCSE Progress
Top 10%
TopOutstandingOfstedJuly2014andagainMarch202210%ofschoolsinEnglandfor6thFormresults99%ofY13studentsgotouniversiyorgetanapprentiship/enterprofessionalworkplace 13
Sixth-form Provision: Outstanding.
A LEADING SCHOOL IN DFE LEAGUE TABLES NINE YEARS IN A ROW
an exemplary curriculum and provide a comprehensive programme of training and guidance to enhance teachers’ expertise. Leaders actively seek ways to improve life chances for the pupils in their care. They are passionate about their duty to support the local community.”
Quality of Education: Outstanding.
Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5EQ T: 020 8859 0133 Email: info@harrisgreenwich.org.uk www.harrisgreenwich.org.uk