SERVE SUPPORT SUCCESS
WELCOME TO HARRIS ACADEMY FALCONWOOD Thank you for taking the time to find out more about us and considering our Academy for your son or daughter’s education. There is nothing more important than finding a school where they will be happy, safe and realise their full potential. At Harris Academy Falconwood, we strongly believe that all of our students should have access to the best that education has to offer. Everything we do is based around our core values which support our students to become happy, educated young people with the drive and desire to succeed:
SERVE We have built a caring and inclusive community where our students serve themselves, each other and our local community.
SUPPORT We support our students throughout their time with us, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their future dreams and aspirations.
SUCCESS We pride ourselves on providing our students with a strong academic foundation to ensure they are able to excel in their chosen career path. Our students leave us with strong academic qualifications, a currency that opens doors to their future career choices.
As part of the Harris Federation, the most successful federation of schools in the country, we are encouraged to sustain our high standards and collaborate with the other excellent Harris Academies. We have access to many experienced education specialists which means our students benefit from the highest quality teaching. Our broad curriculum is enhanced by an array of clubs, engaging visits and inspiring guest speakers. Our facilities include a state-of-the-art climbing wall, woodwork rooms, a business centre, an Astroturf pitch and drama and performance studios. We know how lucky we are to have London on our doorstep and our students enjoy trips to its many galleries, museums and historical sites. This Academy is a very special place and our prospectus presents only a snapshot of what we have to offer. We would be delighted to welcome you to one of our open days so you can find out more and talk to our staff and students about their experiences here.
Mr Tom Street Head of Academy
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LEARNING AT OUR ACADEMY It is very important to us that students are given opportunities to achieve their personal best, whatever their starting point. We follow a broad and balanced curriculum to help every student find something they excel at. During Key Stage 3 (years 7, 8 and 9) your child will have lessons in English, Maths, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Religious Studies, Citizenship, Music, Performing Arts, Design Technology, Art, Spanish and PE. We also ensure that our pupils get an in-depth understanding of a number of social issues through weekly PSHE lessons. From joining us in year 7, our students begin their tailored Accelerated Reader and Bedrock programmes. Bedrock is designed to expose students to new vocabulary, while the Accelerated Reader Programme aims to develop a lifelong love of reading. The combination of these two programmes allows our students to progress in reading, comprehension and vocabulary acquisition which helps nurture their confidence not only in their English lessons but across every subject they study. Students begin to personalise their subject choices at the end of Key Stage 3, as they decide which GCSEs they would like to take. We offer a broad range of subjects so that our students are able to find the path towards further study or employment that is right for them. They receive careers advice so that they are able to make well-informed decisions about their future.
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Our teachers take the time to get to know and understand each student. Staff at the Academy always work to ensure every student in their care reaches their full potential. Those who are finding aspects of their learning challenging are supported by our staff to ensure they feel they can achieve and succeed. We value every student and are proud to offer tailored intervention sessions for any student who needs extra support, guidance or further challenge. Together with all of the Harris secondary academies, we participate in Harris Experience; a unique programme that prepares our most-able students for life at top universities.
“ LEADERS HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF PUPILS’ BEHAVIOUR AND ARE AMBITIOUS FOR THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. WE FOUND THAT PUPILS ARE INSIGHTFUL. THEY EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS CONFIDENTLY AND HAVE CLEAR IDEAS ABOUT WHAT HELPS THEM TO LEARN WELL.” OFSTED, 2019
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DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ INTERESTS A student’s time at our Academy is not only about academic performance; it is also about discovering and developing their skills, talents and interests outside the classroom. We encourage students to participate in a broad range of enrichment activities so they each find something that they excel at and enjoy. There are a range of clubs offered after school including woodwork, cheerleading and debating, as well as a host of musical, art and sporting clubs which all help to enrich our students’ experiences. Whenever there is a demand for a new club or activity, we always try to find a way to make it happen.
We have a fantastic array of sporting facilities, including a large multi-use sports hall, an Astroturf pitch and a state-of-the-art climbing wall. Our drama and music suites have the latest audio and video equipment so that our students have everything they need to create and perform. We are fortunate to be close to London allowing us to expose our students to many of the Capital’s beautiful sites and scenery. We have also had the pleasure of taking our students skiing in Austria and Italy. These trips are essential in the development of our young people.
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A PLACE TO BE YOU Children learn best when their school environment is safe, inclusive and welcoming. We want our students to enjoy their education in a positive, purposeful space where they can form lifelong friendships, discover their talents and become the very best version of themselves. From day one at our Academy, our students are made to feel welcome, cared for and part of our community. Our Academy is small enough that our Head of Academy and Senior Leadership Team get to know our students individually. We have a dedicated Pastoral team who are there to support our students throughout their time at Harris Academy Falconwood. We have a culture of mutual respect between students and staff, and zero tolerance of bullying in any form. An important aspect of our Academy is celebrating each other’s successes and a highlight of our calendar is our annual Celebration of Achievement evening where we showcase and celebrate the hard work of our students and staff throughout the year.
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“ PUPILS ARE WELL MANNERED AND CONSIDERATE. THEY TOLD US HOW, WHEN NEW TO THE SCHOOL, THEY MADE FRIENDS QUICKLY. PUPILS FEEL SAFE IN THE SCHOOL BECAUSE THERE ARE PLENTY OF STAFF AROUND TO HELP THEM.” OFSTED, 2019
OUR SIXTH FORM Harris Academy Falconwood Sixth Form offers high-quality teaching in a positive learning environment in which all students are encouraged to strive for excellence.
Our Sixth Form is part of the Harris Federation Sixth Form, which is made up of 10 campuses with around 2,000 students, making it one of the largest sixth forms in London. The Sixth Form offers everything our students love about their Harris education in an environment where they are treated as young adults. We offer a broad range of academic and vocational courses delivered by subject specialists with a focus on developing the skills of collaborative and independent learning. Our Sixth Form regularly sends students to Oxford, Cambridge and other top Russell Group universities and into excellent vocational training for the careers of their choice.
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PART OF THE SUCCESSFUL HARRIS FEDERATION The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with nearly 50 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. The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring progress and performance. 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. At the time this prospectus was sent to press, there were an incredible 62 sixth formers at the Harris Federation holding offers for Oxford and Cambridge. 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.
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The Green, Welling, Kent, DA16 2PE T. 020 8304 4916  Email. info@harrisfalconwood.org.uk www.harrisfalconwood.org.uk