An exceptional education for local children
Your child’s education Harris Primary Academy Croydon is an inclusive primary academy educating children aged three to eleven. Welcome to the brand new Harris Primary Academy Croydon. Thank you for reading this prospectus which I hope will give you an insight into our academy and its values. Our academy is a wonderful place for any child to start their education. In our classrooms and playgrounds, our teachers and staff have created an environment where children feel safe, happy, respected and valued which enables them to achieve their best. We strive to make our pupils’ primary education an enjoyable and inspiring experience which equips them for secondary school and beyond. In their early years, we lay the foundations for a successful academic career by developing the core skills of reading, writing and mathematics. We want to instil in all our pupils an enthusiasm for learning, which we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.
Our academy is part of the Harris Federation which runs fifty schools in and around London, including many here in Croydon and the surrounding boroughs. All Harris primary academies that have been inspected by Ofsted are rated either Good or Outstanding. We benefit from being part of this thriving family of schools. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you and your child to be part of this exciting journey. Sabeena Hasan, Primary Director
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Happy in the classroom We have high aspirations for all our pupils and our staff support our children to be the best that they can be. This section of our prospectus describes what education here is like.
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Engaging and creative lessons We want all our pupils to have a strong foundation for their education and become confident readers, writers and mathematicians. We have a rich and varied curriculum that equips pupils with the knowledge that will empower them to participate and contribute in society as highlyeducated and responsible citizens. Carefully sequenced units of work ensure that knowledge builds progressively and in depth, so that it can be retrieved and applied in different contexts. All our lessons are creative, not just our arts subjects.
Children are taught in the way that suits them best and we step in quickly if a change is needed. For some, this might involve one-to-one support if they are finding something challenging and for others it could mean stretching them more to keep them interested, motivated and engaged.
High standards in every classroom With each day, week, term and year being so significant in a child’s life, consistency is particularly important in their primary education. As part of the Harris Federation, which has its own training school for teachers, our staff receive outstanding professional development to make sure that standards are consistent and high in every classroom.
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Children treated as individuals We want children to retain their individuality and to grow in selfconfidence. Your son or daughter will be taught by a team of expert staff who care for them so they can develop their full potential. We welcome children of all abilities and want them to enjoy school and thrive. For children with special educational needs, we will work closely with their parents and carers and other specialists to create a plan for supporting them. Our approach is reviewed with children’s classroom teachers, relevant specialists and their families every half term.
A love of reading We believe that learning to read, write and communicate effectively underpins all learning. Reading is taught through discrete phonics lessons and the development of comprehension skills. Pupils are encouraged to read widely and to establish a love of reading. Children will bring books home to read and we ask that parents read with their child every day.
An academic head start As children progress through the school, one of our aims will be to make sure we give them a ‘head start’ for the rest of their education. Subjects are taught as individual disciplines, where pupils are given the critical knowledge and subject-specific skills to be able to be successful in the next stage of their education.
Parent and carer partnership We recognise that good communication with families is vital. You are welcome to discuss your son or daughter’s progress with us at any time and we actively encourage our parents and carers to be partners in their child’s learning. On top of sending reports home every term and holding parent/ teacher meetings, we also have a regular academy newsletter that will keep you up to date on everything happening at the academy, important diary dates and reminders, and details of new initiatives within the wider Federation.
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Happy outside the classroom There is always time at the academy for children to play, to think and to discover and wonder. This section of our prospectus describes our approach to helping our pupils become well-rounded, resilient and confident individuals. Hobbies, skills and experiences Our teachers and academy staff seek to discover at least one unique talent within each child. There is something for everyone in our extracurricular programme which is packed full of music, dance, drama and sport. Children are given lots of wonderful experiences outside the classroom, such as field trips and visits to theatres, museums and historical or cultural sites.
Every pupil has a friend
Healthy and tasty meals
We want our academy to feel friendly and welcoming and we always make sure that pupils feel happy and included. Our children are taught to respect themselves, each other and the adults in their academy.
Our hot school lunches are popular, healthy and tasty. Pupils may bring in packed lunches if they prefer.
Our school rules and values emphasise appropriate behaviour within the academy and the wider community. There is a zero-tolerance approach to any type of bullying.
We have a Breakfast Club and afterschool care available for all children whose parents or carers require these. These clubs are well-organised, fun and allow children to do their home learning if they wish. The academy office can give more information on costs and how to book.
Traditional standards of behaviour
Wrap-around care
Our academy is relaxed and comfortable but pupils know that good behaviour is expected of them. They are frequently praised and rewarded for trying their best and for being kind, hard-working and well-behaved.
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A Federation of academies
Admissions
The Harris Federation is an education charity led and run by teachers. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. There are now 50 Harris primary and secondary academies in London and Essex, as well as a Teaching School Alliance that trains thousands of teachers every year.
If we are oversubscribed, children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs that names the academy will be given places first, followed by Looked After and former Looked After Children.
Each academy has its own unique identity and is led by its Principal or Head of Academy and senior team. We are deliberately a federation rather than a chain. What unites us is a culture that ensures the children and teenagers in our schools get an excellent education within a happy, caring and supportive environment. Our academies are oversubscribed by a ratio of around four applications for every place available and the vast majority are judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted. You can find out more about the Harris Federation at www.harrisfederation.org.uk or by following @HarrisFed on Twitter.
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We have 60 places available in Reception. Please contact the academy office or visit our website to find out more about how to apply.
Children who already have older brothers or sisters here followed by those who live closest to the academy will be prioritised next.
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Thomson Crescent, Croydon CR0 3JT T. 020 8689 7688 Email. info@harrisprimarycroydon.org.uk  www.harrisprimarycroydon.org.uk
An exceptional education for local children
@HarrisFed