WE KNOW. WE CAN. WE WILL.
Education with drive and ambition HARRIS INVICTUS ACADEMY CROYDON COMBINES THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF STRONG DISCIPLINE, SMART UNIFORM AND GOOD MANNERS WITH THE BEST OF MODERN TEACHING AND TECHNOLOGY. THERE ARE PLACES FOR 180 STUDENTS IN YEAR 7.
Thank you for reading this prospectus. Harris Invictus Academy Croydon opened in September 2014 because of the significant demand in the community for new, high quality school places. The Academy is setting standards of excellence and fulfilling high expectations. Our students receive: • Excellent teaching and pastoral care • An all-round education with a focus on Enterprise • One-to-one or small group support, where this is needed • University coaching, including Oxbridge mentoring, from age 14 so that they make good decisions early on about their education In achieving our aims, we are building on the success of the three other Harris Academies in Croydon. Ofsted calls all three of these academies ‘Outstanding’. They are oversubscribed with around seven applications for every place available. We are also building on the support of the community; we are grateful to all local parents and community members, particularly the Invictus campaign group, who asked for this new school and supported us as we put our plans together. Please do come along to our Open Evening if you would like to find out more. We very much look forward to meeting you.
Ms Carol-Anne Alcock, Executive Principal
Mr Edward Evans, Principal
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Traditional high standards We are one of London’s newest schools but our ethos is grounded in the traditions of hard work, good manners, smart uniform and academic achievement. These are combined with the best of modern teaching and technology. Class sizes are kept as small as possible. Students will find that the atmosphere is disciplined and rigorous, but also happy.
Interesting teaching in every classroom As part of the Harris Federation, our teachers work with colleagues from our partner academies to share the best ideas and develop fun, interesting and engaging approaches to teaching. We are working particularly closely with the ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted) Harris Academy Purley. But learning does not begin and end at the classroom door. Students will have the opportunity to participate in work placements, activity days and study sessions in all manner of subjects. These activities will help to bring alive what they learn in the classroom.
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Admissions There will be 180 places in Year 7 and we welcome students of all abilities and backgrounds. A copy of our admissions process and policy is available with this prospectus and on our website.
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Our curriculum The Academy’s curriculum is broad and balanced, with an aim that we turn out knowledgeable and well-educated young men and women at the end of our Sixth Form. Our core offer will lead to good GCSE passes in English, Maths, Science, History, Geography and a Modern Foreign Language. Our other subjects will include: Art; Design Technology; Religious Education; Drama; ICT/ Computing; PE; Dance; Music and Business. With a specialism in Enterprise, we will offer every student opportunities to acquire and practise the skills associated with running a successful business. The theme of ‘being enterprising’ will be encouraged in a wide range of learning activities including curriculum lessons, after-school clubs, learning days and educational visits. This specialism has been chosen because it gives students the combination of analytical and interpersonal skills they need to achieve their goals.
A personal best culture We believe that when a school gives its students the confidence to believe they are capable of excellence, this is exactly what they go on to achieve. As a new Academy, we have hand-picked a team of dedicated teachers who take the time to get to know and understand each student. Every student will have an individual timetable. Their progress will be tracked rigorously and frequently through regular academic reviews. We have a Gifted and Talented programme for more able youngsters as well as supportive, bespoke assistance for students with Special Educational Needs. Parents will receive reports home every six weeks so that they are fully informed about their son’s or daughter’s progress. We will work closely with you to make sure that whether they need to be challenged more, supported more or are somewhere in the middle, your son or daughter is treated in the way that suits them best.
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Extracurricular activities Our broad range of extracurricular activities will include art, drama, debating and a range of other cultural and learning opportunities. Students who want to, will be able to participate in additional sporting and outdoor pursuits. We will also arrange theatre and museum visits, as well as offering opportunities for our students to collaborate and compete with students from other Harris academies in sports, enterprise and creative activities. We want every student to have the chance to shine. Whenever there is demand for a new club or activity, we will always try to find a way to make it happen.
Making our Year 7 students feel welcome From the moment they arrive at the beginning of September, we want our Year 7 students to feel welcome, safe and cared for. By feeling settled early on, they can begin to grasp all that we have to offer – academically, socially and outside the classroom. In their first week, every Year 7 will meet their own tutor who will coach them, set goals with them and make sure they settle in well.
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We will also have a Faculty System, which is similar to a House System. There are four Faculties, with all manner of inter-Faculty competitions. Students will be encouraged to win points and prizes for their Faculty through good attendance and behaviour. By putting students into these smaller communities, they feel a greater sense of belonging.
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Our superb new building The Academy is located close to West Croydon station on the former Croydon Hospital site. Our permanent building is being planned and constructed to accommodate 900 students in years 7–11, as well as a Sixth Form. It will offer modern and airy classrooms and specialist teaching spaces for science, ICT, dance, drama, art and technology.
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Indoor and outdoor sports facilities will make best use of the site, with a full-sized sports hall and activity studio, as well as an outdoor multi-use games area for a range of sports such as football, netball and tennis.
Harris Federation EACH YEAR FOR SPORTS DAY, THE HARRIS FEDERATION HIRES THE CRYSTAL PALACE SPORTS STADIUM. WITH THOUSANDS OF STUDENT AND STAFF SPECTATORS IN ATTENDANCE, HARRIS SCHOOLS COMPETE IN TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SPORTS.
Our Academy is sponsored by the Harris Federation, a not-for-profit charity with almost 25 years of experience in running schools. The Federation runs a family of Primary and Secondary Academies in and around London. The Harris Federation has an exceptional track record, with academic progress outpacing the national average by 3 or 4 times each year and more than three quarters of its Secondary Academies so far judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted – this is unmatched by any other education body. The work of the Federation is made possible through the generous financial support of Lord Harris of Peckham and his family, and is brought to life by a team of excellent teachers and leaders. You can follow the Harris Federation on Twitter: @HarrisFed.
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London Road, Croydon CR0 2TB T. 020 3371 3002 Email. info@harrisinvictus.org.uk www.harrisinvictus.org.uk