Why Choose Us
In this corner of South East London we have a clear mission: to run a great school which offers every child, regardless of circumstance, background or prior experience, the chance to thrive both personally and academically.
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 the next stage of their education, and the means to open doors to choose their future. No amount of stories of success against the odds will convince us otherwise; results matter to our community.
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 have warm hearts and cool heads so that they are ready for the challenges of adolescence and ultimately adulthood. We take this responsibility so seriously that we apply the same academic thought to its pursuit as we do to the content of a GCSE Spanish curriculum. In short, we want our students to thrive on the other side of the door, and we don’t leave it to chance.
Driving this character development are our core values which we ask both staff and students to live and exemplify in all that they do: to Work Hard, to Be Kind, and to Take Responsibility. Work Hard because talent isn’t enough to be successful. Be Kind because our actions are the only things we can control. Take Responsibility because it’s the right thing to do.
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.
Knowledge is Power. We Make it Stick.
Our routines: How we deliver an exceptional education
We believe that Knowledge is Power, and our job is to Make it Stick. Whether this is the how to cook a healthy meal, how to speak French in year 9, or how to navigate the tube network to get to the Science museum. We specify the things we want young people to learn and experience, and teach them explicitly.
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.
We have very clear rules on behaviour, homework, 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.
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.
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 success.
We establish 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 people: Who we are
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 rule 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.
Our culture: How we think and act
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.
Be Kind: We are celebrate 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.
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.
If you want your child to Step into their Greatness then this is the place to be.