Twitter

15/03/24

Off to the we go, with Year 8 in tow, to witness love's timeless tale in a contemporary glow. Thanks to ’s generous sponsorship, Shakespeare's words will leap and dip. 🎭💔 pic.twitter.com/ezNpvHdema

08/03/24

pic.twitter.com/6A3IurXrFK

07/03/24

📚✨ The halls of HGA have transformed into a literary wonderland as our secondary staff channel their inner bookworms, dressing up as their favorite book characters! From the whimsical to the wicked, can you guess the characters? 📸🎭 pic.twitter.com/y8azMifcNq

06/03/24

The yr5/6 Netball final took place between today.Both teams have done exceptionally well to reach the final & were undefeated in their league so we knew we were in for a close game

05/03/24

The yr5/6 Netball final took place between today.Both teams have done exceptionally well to reach the final & were undefeated in their league so we knew we were in for a close game

01/03/24

Just wrapped up another fantastic week at HGA, proving that even when the skies open up, we find our pot of gold in the learning of our students. 🌈 pic.twitter.com/jKjPQHPkQ2

01/03/24

HGA Sixth Formers' visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was a powerful reminder of history's darkest chapters. Their solemn reflections will echo in our hearts and history classes. pic.twitter.com/k1CaBME2Ns

29/02/24

Excited to kick off day 1 of the Y12 Biology Residential! 🌿 Stay tuned for updates, insights, and all the fascinating discoveries we'll make together! pic.twitter.com/6nqWUWrZBE

27/02/24

We're looking forward to National Careers Week, 4th-9th March 2024. We will be using the many resources available, such as a virtual careers fair, films, talks and booklets to inspire our students about their future options and pathways. https://t.co/kTXTWlyLix pic.twitter.com/RyYS0u3HQR

20/02/24

🎉 What an inspiring afternoon at our Careers Fair! Students explored a world of opportunities with leading employers, colleges, and universities. Their futures look bright! 🌟 Check out the highlights 📸 pic.twitter.com/D5uRNqGvDW

09/02/24

Congratulations to everyone you have done yourselves, your school and your Borough proud https://t.co/AxU7Tsxvjc

09/02/24

Congratulations to everyone you have done yourselves, your school and your Borough proud https://t.co/AxU7Tsxvjc

09/02/24

We are officially through to the Sports hall finals. We finished inside the top 3 of todays qualifier and now will be one of 12 schools in the grand finals on the 19th March! This is the first time in the 3 years we have achieved this! pic.twitter.com/hw1DbJxEo1

09/02/24

We have officially arrived at for the indoor sports athletics London finals representing to team Let’s go Garrard!! pic.twitter.com/op0BNKu50R

09/02/24

Look what arrived in the post! These adorable handmade worry monsters were ordered from over a year ago. Big thanks to the talented knitters - they will bring comfort to many. Therapeutic tools for little ones. pic.twitter.com/r6GhmtALKl

09/02/24

Love is in the air (and candy in hand!) at HGA! Y11s selling roses & lollipops to make prom dreams come true. Talk about initiative! pic.twitter.com/8T0vOCx0vU

09/02/24

HGA remembered the stories of the holocaust, assembly led by Mr Mukadam. pic.twitter.com/9BTdyy2beo

12/12/23

The girls at our school are selling baked goods all week to raise money for their cheerleading competition in February. The first day was a great success, and we thank everyone for their support! Come and grab some delicious treats to support the Legacy Cheer and Dance 2024 🍰🎉 pic.twitter.com/3Hs1IMb2M6

11/12/23

KS3 students have mastered functions and formulas, so it's time for a little light relief! They're creating pixel art using conditional formatting in Excel. It's a fun way to apply their skills and unleash their creativity. 🎨💻 pic.twitter.com/yOXsbDgDCG

09/12/23

pic.twitter.com/nj3uF0yzKT

Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

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Westminster

Willesden

Academy Admissions

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. 


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 see the primary admissions page of the Bexley website.

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

Telephone: 020 8320 4800

Email: admissions@harrisgarrard.org.uk

Address: Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Erith, Kent DA18 4DW

Admissions officer: Emma Summers


Reception and Year 7 admissions

We have 180 places in Year 7 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.  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.


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

Year 7 admissions

31st October 2023

Common Application Forms returned to local authority

8th December 2023

Harris Academy Banding Test day

1st March 2024

Local authority informs parents/carers of allocated school

28th March 2024

Deadline for appeals to be made in writing to the academy

May/June 2024

Appeals heard

1st September 2024

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

15th January 2024

Common Application Forms returned to local authority

16th April 2024

National offer day will take place on 19 April 2022. 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.

2nd May 2024

Last date for accepting and declining offers of places

June 2024

Appeals should be made in writing to the Academy/Appeals to be heard

1st September 2024

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 as Literacy, Numeracy, ICT and Welfare

Appeals

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. For September 2024 intake the deadline for appeals is 28th March 2024 and appeals to be heard in May/June 2024.

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.


Admission arrangements for 2023-24

The Governing Body of Harris Garrard Academy met in February 2022 to review and consider the responses of the admissions consultation. After careful review the Governing Body has agreed to determine the admissions arrangements for 2023-24. The determined admission arrangements can be found below.

 

Back to Key Information