Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

Central Office

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Clapham

Croydon

Greenwich

Haringey

Havering

Merton

Newham

Southwark

Stratford

Sutton

Thurrock

Wandsworth

Westminster

 

Academy Life

27 February 2019E Safety Update – What parents need to know about Momo  It has recently come to our attention that many of our children are accessing inappropriate content on the internet whilst we appreciate the learning opportunities that come with the effective use of technology we also need to acknowledge the dangers. Therefore I am writing to you today to warn you about an e-safety concern that I have realised some of our children may have seen online. Momo game/challenge This is a scary picture that has circulated around the world and has been linked to a suicide challenge. It is reported that there have been a number of teen deaths attributed to this in other countries. This is a game which encourages self-harm and which has been spreading through social media.   Please be aware that this seems to be a ‘craze’ that is spreading amongst our children. Ensure that you take time to talk about what your children’s online activity involves, make this a regular conversation so that we are all working together to keep our children safe. Read the useful information below in order to keep our children safe.
14 February 2019Year 5 Science WorkshopIt was a great pleasure to welcome Mr Smith from Orchard Park today who carried out an amazingly engaging science workshop set out to inspire our Year 5 learners to become scientists. Read more about these workshops below! We had a visit from a Science teacher in Orchard Park High School, who carried out a variety of experiments with our Year group. He set fire to a £20 note, introduced us to a Van De Graaf Generator and set a bottle to rocket off in the playground! At one point, Miss Sajufirst had to give Mr Smith (the science teacher) a £20 note, which he said he would return (but he didn’t!) and set it alight! He explained why it didn’t burn after dipping it in a mixture of water and ethanol. He wanted us to be inspired by science and how the world works. We all really enjoyed this assembly.  (Freddie Year 5 Redwood)   Mr Smith, from Orchard park academy came to visit our school. After introducing himself, he told us all about the safety wear involved in Science and some children got to try on a lab coat and a pair of goggles (which they got to keep!). He told us how we were the future generation to solve all the problems the adults have caused and that we all have the potential to be scientists when we grow up – just like him! (Angel Year 5 Redwood)   Take a look at how we launched a rocket in the playground too!  
13 February 2019Road Safety ShowThe Smart Brothers visited our school to teach us how to be safe crossing the road. It was a truly engaging and exciting assembly, filled with some very important messages. The children learnt four Golden Rules when crossing the road: STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK. Aflie from Bonsai class thoroughly enjoyed the show. ‘I really enjoyed the assembly because the brothers were very funny. It was really fun because they made a song about the road safety rules (stop, look, listen and think). The song really helped us to remember how to cross how to cross the road safely. I am now confident to cross the road safely’.  
11 February 2019HPAB How to videos launched today!#HPABHowTo series is officially here... We are pleased to share our very first #HPABHowTo video which will support learning at home as well as in school. The first in the series will explain 'How to add fractions using different denominators' which has been explained by a Year 4 pupil, who was able to embed the learning and explain this method to others - well done! Look out for more in the series...coming soon!       
30 January 2019E Safety Update: What parents need to know about Fortnite
24 January 2019Safer Internet day 2019Safer Internet Day 2019 Safer Internet Day 2019 will be celebrated globally on Tuesday 5th February with the slogan: ‘Together for a better Internet’. Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved and join a national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together and help to create a better internet. We will be celebrating the day with an assembly, classroom activities and sharing our learning on how to keep safe online - look out for more news soon!
5 September 2018Tours of our AcademyPlease contact Mrs. K. Rodgers via the office to join one of the tours of our Academy for admissions. (info@harrisprimarybenson.org.uk  OR  020 8777 1572)  
7 September 2015Welcome Back The new academy year starts today.
17 July 2015Harris Primary Academies Magazine: summer edition The new edition of our magazine for the pupils, parents, staff and governors of our Primary Academies is now out.  Click here to view it. We hope you enjoy reading it.
School Life at Harris
7 July 2014Harris Federation becomes a London Maths Hub The Harris Federation has been announced by the Government as part of a new national network of ‘Maths Hubs’ which will create a new model for teaching maths. There are 32 Maths Hubs in total and the scheme is being backed with funding from the Department for Education in order to help children and teenagers in UK schools match the standards of maths achieved in top-performing East Asian countries.   We have begun working with schools across London with a clear and common purpose of developing a world class maths education.  This includes collaboration with new teachers, established teachers and subject leaders, as well as anyone wanting to focus on research and development and new forms of pupil enrichment in maths. Jacquelyn Lomas, Harris Federation Consultant Leader for Mathematics, said: “This project is close to our hearts because our experience is that effective collaboration is key to supporting improvements in education." “Being a Maths Hub means we can establish a London-wide network for sharing strong teaching and learning practices, supporting better training for teachers in both pedagogy and subject knowledge in these times of rapid, but exciting curriculum reform." “We are keen to welcome more teachers from different schools, phases, universities and maths associations to take part in the continuing development and design of the curriculum, assessment, and training program.  Working collaboratively, we will develop resources that will be made available on our Teaching School website as we invite more schools to take part in this exciting opportunity. We will continue to post information about the developments of this programme and our other ongoing projects to allow more schools a chance to engage." If you are interested in working with us to help develop a world class education for Maths, register your interest today or contact mathshub@harrisfederation.org.uk Join the Maths Hub network To join our Maths Hub network and gain access to Maths Hub resources, simply become a member of our Teaching School Alliance - register here.
23 June 2014Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane Ofsted Following an inspection earlier this month, Ofsted has rated Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane as a ‘Good’ school with ‘Outstanding’ leadership and management. This is the first inspection since the Academy opened in September 2012, replacing a school in Special Measures.  Click here to download the report but key comments from the inspectors include: “Pupils enjoy their learning because their classrooms are exciting and inspiring places to be.” “Pupils feel exceptionally safe and secure.” “Leadership and management, including governance, are outstanding.” “Leaders and managers have worked very closely with parents, who are supportive of the academy.”  “One pupil in Key Stage 2 said, ‘The teacher tells me exactly what it is I’ve got to aim for. Then, I aim for it, and I do it.’” “Parents think the academy is a safe and happy place for their children to be. One parent said, ‘It is a privilege for my child to come here. They are safe, happy and love their lessons.’” “Disabled pupils and those who have special needs make outstanding progress from their different starting points.” Miss Kirstie Fulthorpe, Principal of the Academy said: “This was our first full inspection since opening in September 2012 and we are very pleased with the inspectors’ comments.  These reflect our ambition to build a family Academy that provides exceptional education for Tottenham children.  “This year, the Academy has also won an SSAT Educational Outcomes Award for academic progress.  I have written to parents and spoken with children, staff and governors to thank and congratulate them on these achievements. “As we approach the summer holidays, I feel this is a fantastic note for us to end the school year on.  Pupils and staff deserve a restful summer break but all of us are looking forward to seeing how much more we can achieve next year.”  Sir Dan Moynihan, CEO of the Harris Federation, said: “It is always a complete joy to spend time with the staff and pupils at Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane.  You only have to visit for a short while see that it provides exceptional levels of education and care for its pupils.  “The Academy has come a long way since opening and we are delighted with the progress it has made in ensuring local children get the quality of primary education they deserve. I have no doubt that the Academy will continue to go from strength to strength.”
19 June 2014New Harris secondary school to open in Chafford Hundred A new Harris Secondary Free School in Thurrock has been approved to open by the Department for Education. The school will help to provide new and high quality places for local families, where our existing secondary Academy is regularly oversubscribed on first choices alone.   Sir Dan Moynihan, Chief Executive of the Harris Federation, said: “We are delighted that the new secondary school has been approved to open in September 2015 by the government.  Like the existing Harris Secondary Academy in Chafford Hundred, which is oversubscribed with around four applications for every place, it will provide education with drive and ambition for local families.  “The new school will share an Executive Principal and Governing Body with Harris Academy Chafford Hundred and will initially be located on a high quality but temporary site next door to it. It will replicate the exceptional standards of teaching and behaviour that Harris Academy Chafford Hundred has achieved and sustained. “We are hugely looking forward to opening the school next year and will be working closely with the local community in the meantime.  Admissions will open in September 2014.” Jackie Doyle-Price, Member of Parliament for Thurrock, said: “I am delighted that the new school has moved a step closer.  This is great news for parents and children across West Thurrock and Chafford Hundred who will now have more choice about where to send their children to school.  “It will also see the creation of more good quality school places in the west of the borough where they are much needed.  I have nothing but praise for the energy and commitment that Harris Federation has to providing high standards of education in Thurrock.  I will continue to support their efforts which will only lead to better education for the borough’s children.”
2 June 2014Outstanding Ofsted Harris Primary Free School Peckham Harris Primary Free School Peckham has been rated Outstanding in its first Ofsted inspection since opening in September 2012. It was judged to be Outstanding overall and in each individual category inspected by Ofsted: achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, and leadership and management. The school, which opened next door to Harris Secondary Academy in Peckham, has children in Reception and Year 1.  It will continue to grow by a year group at a time until it reaches full capacity in 2018. Inspectors, who spent two days at there in March 2014, said: “Pupils throughout the school learn exceptionally well and make rapid progress.  This is because senior leaders have relentlessly and successfully focused on raising pupils’ achievement, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics.” “The curriculum is exceptionally well matched to the pupils’ needs.” “The behaviour of pupils is outstanding. Pupils look forward to coming to school.” “All the parents and carers whose views were expressed…believed that their children were making better than expected progress and achieving well throughout the school.” “The (Harris) Federation has been an effective partner in securing outstanding teaching and learning for the pupils.” The management of the school was also praised as outstanding. Inspectors said that “senior leaders have formed a highly committed staff team, which shares fully their determination to provide pupils with an outstanding learning experience.” Principal of the Academy, Lindsey Davidson, said: “Although we have all worked very hard to make our school happy and successful, we never take anything for granted so we are delighted with our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.  “Each of our children is treated, taught and looked after in the way that suits them best.  I would like to express my gratitude to all staff for their hard work and parents for their wonderful support.”   Sir Dan Moynihan, Chief Executive of the Harris Federation, said: “This is our first Free School to be inspected by Ofsted and we are pleased they have recognised the outstanding education it provides.  The school is helping to meet the huge demand for places from local families and, through the talent and hard work of our teachers and support staff, it is providing Peckham children with a great education.”
2 December 2013Our Mission Statement An aspirational academy where there are no limits to the success of our pupils. Providing an education that engages, inspires and develops lifelong learners. Working in partnership with a diverse and vibrant community.