Harris Girls' Academy Bromley, originally Cator Park School for Girls, is a secondary school in

Beckenham Beckenham () is a town in Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley, in Greater London. Until 1965 it was part of the historic county of Kent. It is located south-east of Charing Cross, situated north of Elmers End and E ...

in the

London Borough of Bromley The London Borough of Bromley () is the southeasternmost of the London boroughs that make up Greater London, bordering the ceremonial county of Kent, which most of Bromley was part of before 1965. The borough's population is an estimated 332,3 ...

, England, for girls between the ages of 11 and 18. In 2011, the school joined a federation of academies in South London called the

Harris Federation Harris Federation is a multi-academy trust of 52 primary and secondary academies in and around London. They are sponsored by Philip Harris (Lord Harris of Peckham). Description With 52 academies in London and Essex, the Harris Federation educates ...

, named after the

Lord Harris of Peckham Philip Charles Harris, Baron Harris of Peckham (born 15 September 1942), is an English businessman and politician. A prominent Conservative Party donor, Harris is a member of the House of Lords. He is the sponsor of a large multi-academy trus ...

who is sponsoring them.

History

Cator Park School for Girls opened in 1919. In World War I, the school had been used as a hospital for injured soldiers.

Harris Federation

Harris Federation is a federation of Primary and Secondary academies in and around London. The academies' sponsor is

Phil Harris Wonga Philip Harris (June 24, 1904 – August 11, 1995) was an American actor, comedian, musician and songwriter. He was an orchestra leader and a pioneer in radio situation comedy, first with ''The Jack Benny Program'', then in '' The Phil Harr ...

(Lord Harris of Peckham), the former chairman and chief executive of Carpetright. The federation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation whose stated key aim is "to promote the education of young people in South London". The Chief Executive Officer is Sir

Daniel Moynihan Daniel Patrick Moynihan (March 16, 1927 – March 26, 2003) was an American politician, diplomat and sociologist. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented New York in the United States Senate from 1977 until 2001 and served as an ...

, previously Principal of the

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace Harris City Academy Crystal Palace is a mixed-sex secondary school in Croydon, south London, England. It was established in 1990 to replace Sylvan High School, a newly built mixed comprehensive school which had opened in 1974. Sylvan, judged to b ...

. He is the full-time CEO at the Harris Federation Headquarters in Croydon. Kelsey Park Sports College (

Harris Academy Beckenham Harris Academy Beckenham (formerly Kelsey Park Sports College) is a secondary school and sixth form located in Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley. The academy is run by the Harris Federation. History Harris Academy Beckenham started lif ...

) and Cator Park School (Girls' Harris Academy Bromley) converted into Harris Academies for September 2011, the first Harris Academies to open in the London Borough of Bromley.

Description

The Academy is a girls' school with a roll of 900 secondary pupils and a mixed sixth form of 260.

Academics

Virtually all maintained schools and academies in England follow the

National Curriculum A national curriculum is a common programme of study in schools that is designed to ensure nationwide uniformity of content and standards in education. It is usually legislated by the national government, possibly in consultation with state or other ...

, and are inspected by Ofsted on how well they succeed in delivering a 'broad and balanced curriculum'. Schools endeavour to get all students at 16 to achieve the

English Baccalaureate The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a school performance indicator in England linked to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) results. It measures students' attainment by calculating an average score from specified subject grades. ...

(EBACC) qualification- this must include core subjects a modern or ancient foreign language, and either History or Geography. Harris Girls' Academy Bromley operates a three-year, Key Stage 3 as advised where all the core National Curriculum subjects are taught. Maths, Science and English are setted by ability, other subjects and options are taught in mixed-ability classes. In 10 and 11, that is in

Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 (KS4) is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other examinations, in maintained schools in England normally known as Year 10 and Year 11, when pupils are aged between 14 and 16 by August 31 ...

most students do a Modern Foreign Language, and History or Geography, allowing an English Baccalaureate. Ofsted reported in 2017: “Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They inspire and sustain a love of learning in their pupils. Teachers have an absolute faith in the ability of their pupils to succeed and give their time generously to ensure that happens.” This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under th
Open Government Licence v3.0
© Crown copyright “The excellent quality of teaching, learning and assessment through-out the school is a significant strength.”

Buildings

The śite lies within the Aldersmead Conservation Area and the preserved 1920s previous school is grade II listed, though surrounded by additional buildings of little architectural merit. The new build was done by

Nicholas Hare Architects Nicholas Hare Architects is a UK architectural practice, with a portfolio of award-winning projects. These include schools, higher education, refurbishment, commercial projects, and buildings for the arts. Founded by Nicholas Hare in 1977, the pr ...

in partnership with Kier Construction. It is part of the London 2 batch of the

Education Funding Agency The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is an executive agency of the government of the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Department for Education. The ESFA was formed on 1 April 2017 following the merger of the Education Funding Agency a ...

's Priority School Building Programme. The new structure is a simple 3-storey building (in brick and render) that runs parallel to the southern boundary of the Academy, and together with the retained buildings it defines a secure central courtyard. The old building has been refurbished to provide general teaching and administrative support space. The more recent buildings have been demolished to make way for the new specialist teaching building, which houses the Science and Art departments, and a new sports hall.

Faculty structure

Under the

the previous house system was overhauled to be known as a faculty structure which is seen in all Harris Academies. The four faculties are now Blue, Yellow, Red and Green which are made up of different subject areas under the leadership of an assistant principal.

References

External links

Harris Academy BromleyHarris Federation
{{authority control Girls' schools in London Academies in the London Borough of Bromley Secondary schools in the London Borough of Bromley Bromley Girls Educational institutions established in 1919 1919 establishments in England