Academy Admissions
Appeals - important update
In light of the current situation regarding the Covid-19 virus, we have taken the decision to extend the date by which admission appeal forms need to be returned to the Academy to 30 April 2020.
Where possible, if you have not done so already, please submit your appeal forms by email to info@harrisgarrard.org.uk. Alternatively, completed forms should be posted to: The Clerk to the Governors, Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Erith, Kent, DA18 4DW.
Depending on the situation at the time it is hoped appeals will be held at the end of June/beginning of July 2020.
Welcome to the Harris Garrard Academy admissions information page, where you can find out more information about how to apply for a place at our school. Our full admissions policy, with details of our admissions criteria, can be downloaded from the bottom of the page. Please see our news section for details of academy open days.
You can find useful information about school admissions in Bexley on the following website https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/school-admissions.
The Common Application Form is available at https://www.eadmissions.org.uk/eAdmissions/app.
For primary admissions, please read the Admission to Primary Schools in Bexley booklet before commencing your application.
If you do not live in Bexley, please contact your home Local Authority to find out how to apply. You can still apply for Bexley schools, but you need to apply on the form supplied by your home Local Authority.
Academy admissions contact details
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Telephone: 020 8320 4800 Admissions officer: Laura Beattie |
Reception and Year 7 admissions
We have 180 places in Year 7 in September 2019, and 90 reception places. We welcome students of all abilities and from all backgrounds. Applications for places will be made in accordance with local authority admission arrangements and will be made on the Common Application Form provided and administered by the local authority. The academy will work to the common admissions timetable agreed by Bexley Council for September 2019. Admissions must be made via Bexley Council only and not directly to Harris Garrard Academy (see links at top of the page).
Admissions test - secondary phase
Where parents/carers name Harris Garrard Academy on the Common Application Form, their child/ward will be invited to sit our admissions test. We will write to all parents/carers with the exact time approximately one week before the testing day. If you have named more than one Harris Academy on the Common Application Form your child/ward will only need to sit the test ONCE and will be notified as to which academy will be contacting you with details of your child's/ward's appointment. The testing date is Friday 13 December 2019.
Supplementary information form
If you require a concession in the admission test (for example for SEN or medical needs), you must complete the supplementary information form which can be downloaded from the bottom of the page and return it directly to the academy along with medical or professional evidence and proof of residence by the agreed date (to be confirmed). Please note that completion of a supplementary information form for Harris Garrard Academy does not constitute an application to the academy. You must complete the Local Authority Common Application Form as well.
Admissions booklet
The Admissions Booklet can be downloaded from the bottom of the page. The booklet is to be completed at the induction evening. Dates and times for the evening will be confirmed in the letter sent to parents/carers following the offer of a place at the academy.
Key dates 2019/20
Year 7 admissions
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31st October 2019 |
Common Application Forms returned to local authority |
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13th December 2019 |
Harris testing day |
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1st March 2020 |
Local authority informs parents/carers of allocated school |
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30th April 2020 - NEW DATE |
Deadline for appeals to be made in writing to the academy |
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May/June 2020 |
Appeals heard |
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1st September 2020 |
Waiting list closed and replaced by casual admissions waiting lists. Parents/carers will need to re-apply as casual admission, if still waiting. |
Primary admissions
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15th January 2020 |
Common Application Forms returned to local authority |
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16th April 2020 |
National offer day will take place on 16 April 2020. If you apply online, you will receive the outcome by email on the evening of 16 April. Offers to paper applicants will be made by letter, posted on national offer day by first class mail. |
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30th April |
Last date for accepting and declining offers of places |
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June 2020 |
Appeals should be made in writing to the Academy/Appeals to be heard |
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1st September 2020 |
Waiting list closed and replaced by casual admissions waiting lists. Parents/carers will need to re-apply as casual admission, if still waiting. |
Transition from primary school
The transition from primary to Key Stage 3 in secondary school is a big step and we do everything we can to make this as smooth as possible. In addition to transition meetings for individual students who may require additional help with the transfer process, we have a clear plan both for parents and students to ensure support at every step. The support we offer includes:
- Presentations at primary schools prior to your applications
- Parents’ evening for prospective parents
- Morning drop-in sessions to see the academy during curriculum time
- Year 6 taster sessions
Once students have joined Harris Garrard Academy and have started their first year with us, we also:
- Review information from the primary school for each student to ensure we have a full picture of their prior experience.
- Have a day just for Year 7 at the start of the autumn term, to enable them to become comfortable in their new environment
- Have extended break and lunch for Year 7 students in the first week
- Carry out baseline testing to ensure the correct support is given to every student relative to their learning needs
- Introduce students early on to hub leaders, including Assistant Principal, Directors and Behaviour for Learning Leaders
- Offer extra-curricular clubs to support individual students who may be finding the transition process unsettling
- Offer a Parental Support Evening covering topics such Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and Welfare
Appeals - new deadline because of COVID-19
Parent(s) wishing to appeal against the academy’s decision should complete an appeal form stating the reason for the appeal based on the published admissions criteria. The appeal form and guidance notes for appeals can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Completed forms should be sent to: The Clerk to the Governors, Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Erith, Kent, DA18 4DW. The closing date for appeals for primary to secondary transfer for the September 2020 intake is now 30 April 2020. This is an extention because of COVID-19. Depending on the situation at the time it is hoped appeals will be held at the end of June/beginning of July 2020.
For September 2021 intake the deadline for appeals is 29th March 2021 and appeals to be heard in May/June 2021.
The appeals will be heard in private by an Independent Appeal Panel. Appeals may be made in English or the parents’/carers’ first language. Only one appeal per application is allowed. Appeals are conducted in person, and you may bring a friend.
In-year applications
Please download our in-year application form from the bottom of the page. The academy coordinates in-year admissions for students wishing to join the academy mid-year. Parents/guardians should apply directly to the academy.
On receiving your application form, your child will be invited for an assessment test. This test is used solely for the purpose of assessing their current level of ability in order to be able to best place the vacant position like for like. If there are no vacant positions available, your child will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the oversubscription criteria found in the admissions policy. Please refer to the notes on the application form before completing.
Please note, giving false or deliberately misleading information on this form and/or supporting information may render the application invalid, or lead to any offer made being withdrawn.
Parents/Carers will have the right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel if they are dissatisfied with an admission decision of the academy. The Appeal Panel will be independent of the academy. The arrangements for Appeals will be in line with the Code on School Admission Appeals published by the Department for Education. The determination of the appeal panel will be made in accordance with the Code on School Admission Appeals and is binding on all parties. The academy will prepare guidance for parents/carers about how the appeals process will work and provide parents/carers with a named contact who can answer any enquiries parents/carers may have about the process
Frequently asked questions
Q. Will my child be added to your waiting list if he/she is not immediately successful?
A. Yes, if your application is not immediately successful, your child will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the oversubscription criteria found in the admissions policy.
Q. Will I be able to find out where my child is on the waiting list?
A. We would not be able to give the exact position or number of your child if it is Primary to Secondary Transfer until after the start of the September term.
Q. Will I be informed about my child’s test results?
A. Test results are not given out as it is not a pass or fail test, it is a test to place applicants into the correct ability band. Applicants are chosen from every ability band, but each selection will be made from the ability band that has become available in the academy.
Sixth Form admissions
Admissions are co-ordinated by the Harris Federation. For further details, including how to apply, visit www.harrissixthform.org.uk. Sixth Form entry requirements will also shortly be downloadable below.
