Twitter

07/12/23

🎉 Excited to kick off our culture evening with standing room only to celebrate the different cultures of our student community through dance, music, and so much more! Let's embrace and enjoy the rich diversity of our school. 🌍💃🎶 pic.twitter.com/oih2zF1zwu

06/12/23

🎄✨ This week, the festive spirit has taken over Harris Garrard Academy! Our students and staff enjoyed a delightful lunchtime of festive dancing, getting everyone in the holiday mood. Wishing everyone a wonderful and festive time ahead! 🎅🕺💃 pic.twitter.com/QhTgEWzuOM

05/12/23

Lunchtime! 🥪 pic.twitter.com/yDxi9BRnaq

05/12/23

The last pic, a seemingly decrepit old computer? This was the world's first web server, marking the very beginning of what we know today as the World Wide Web. It first went online over 25 years ago at CERN, laying the foundation for the development of the internet as we know it.

05/12/23

Mr. Adams has unapologetically taken the liberty of sharing some nerdy and amazing photos from the computer section at the Science Museum! From technological innovations to really nerdy stuff, our Year 8 students are having a blast exploring the world of science and technology. pic.twitter.com/vwg14OrnpS

05/12/23

🦖 While Year 8 is exploring the wonders of science at the Science Museum, another group is stepping back in time at the Natural History Museum! They've even spotted a T-Rex dressed as Santa. Who said learning can't be festive? 🎅 pic.twitter.com/CgCoQPCBhj

05/12/23

🔬 Year 8 are off to the Science Museum today as part of our character education program! We're excited for them to explore the wonders of science and technology. Stay tuned for updates on their educational adventure. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/HDMxpNDLat

01/12/23

Last Week our Indoor Athletics team took part in the Finals. The team performed excellently, winning the event and now have the opportunity to represent Bexley at the in February. Huge congratulation to the team and pic.twitter.com/nwydouVbkX

28/11/23

Continuing the celebration of our talented students and the Christmas spirit at HGA, here are more highlights from our festive performances! 🎄🎶 Our talent show contestants truly shone, delivering heartwarming renditions of Christmas classics. pic.twitter.com/oyRez3HSrY

26/11/23

Our musicians at HGA never disappoint! Considering Christmas is approaching, a performance of Christmas songs by our music students and talent show contestants left us in awe. HGA has got the Christmas spirit!🎄❄️ pic.twitter.com/vR2oUHGi4v

24/11/23

Our year 11's got a special treat today - a virtual tour of , the UK's national synchrotron science facility!💡Students saw the impressive particle accelerators up close. 📸 We're so glad our students could experience this cutting-edge science, even remotely! pic.twitter.com/fZODlvF7YT

23/11/23

There were some outstanding individual performances during thefinal of our yr5/6 Sports Hall Athletics competition today. Well done to all the pupils involved & sports leaders for officiating👏🥇 🥈 🥉

17/11/23

And the finalists! pic.twitter.com/mnMYtKjN2i

17/11/23

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17/11/23

The shortlist… pic.twitter.com/jxVbxiuWGu

17/11/23

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17/11/23

Calling all future historians! 🏰 Our Year 7B Hi1 students created incredible Motte and Bailey castles, demonstrating their understanding of King William's England. Bravo, young minds! pic.twitter.com/GFaN0QkXkd

16/11/23

Heat 3 of the SHA took place with 5 schools competing for a place in next weeks final. Congratulations to who finished in 1st place & well done to all who took part👏Thank you to for officiating at the event 🙏

15/11/23

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15/11/23

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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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Open Mornings - For September 2024 Intake

Welcome! We are delighted that you are considering a place at Harris Garrard Academy, and welcome you to our school community.


Open mornings - Reception & Early Years

We have five open mornings for Reception intake in September 2024. All events start at 9.30am. No booking required, just come along.

  • Wednesday 8 November 2023
  • Wednesday 15 November 2023
  • Wednesday 22 November 2023
  • Wednesday 13 December 2023
  • Thursday 18 January 2024

Our open mornings for Early Years Foundation Stage are from 9.30am-12 noon on:

  • Wednesday 8 November 2023
  • Wednesday 15 November 2023
  • Wednesday 22 November 2023
  • Wednesday 13 December 2023
  • Wednesday 10 January 2024

We look forward to meeting you soon! No booking needed.


Helping To Get You Child 'Reception Ready'

Starting school is a big change in a young child's life, and quite an adjustment for parents too! Being well prepared will help to make it a more positive and exciting experience for them, and you too. This guide will offer some useful tips to make it all go smoothly.

Below are some helpful guides and tips to enable you to get 'Reception Ready!'

  • Click HERE to download our Welcome to Reception booklet
  • Click HERE to download the Getting Ready For School Checklist
  • Click HERE to download information about our Teddy Bear's Picnic

Writing and recognising their own name

It would be helpful if your child could write and recognise their own name. Help them practise this before they come to school by showing them what their name looks like, and by helping them write it.

Then, if your child sees their name on a name card, a coat peg or on their belongings they will be able to find their own things.


Getting dressed and undressed independently

Your child will be changing their clothes and shoes during the school day to go outside to play or to do activities such as PE. To help your child feel more confident about getting changed, make sure that their clothes are easy for them to take off and put back on again. Clothes with easy fastenings or big buttons are ideal, as well as skirts with elasticated waists and shoes with Velcro fastenings.

Encourage your child with practice sessions before they start school.


Going to the toilet independently

Teach your child how to use the toilet and to clean themselves afterwards. Explain the importance of flushing to leave the toilet clean for the next child to use.

Turn practising into a game by asking them to 'what comes next?' so they remember to flush each time. Encourage them to wash their hands thoroughly with soap before drying them. 

An adult is always available if they need help at school, and our toilets are very easy for small children to use as they are designed with them in mind.


Being able to sit and concentrate

It is important that children become used to sitting still and concentrating. Practise this with your child at home. Make sessions fun as you encourage them to sit still and listen while you talk about something that interests them.

Ask them easy questions to keep their attention and get them used to focussing on what you are talking about.


Being able to handle books properly and enjoy a story

We use reading and enjoying stories a lot to help the children learn about the world as well as helping them with their reading and writing. Help them get used to handling books and enjoying stories by sharing and reading books with them at home.

Allow them to hold the book and turn the pages sometimes as you read them a story. This will help make them feel 'in charge' of the story, and will be an important step for them towards handling and reading books of their own.


Reception Year

In Reception, we follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage issued by the Department for Education (DfE). The curriculum consists of seven areas of learning:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

There are then 17 Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which are part of these areas of learning. If a child achieves these goals by the end of the Reception year then they are said to be working at the expected level.

To support children with working towards these ELGs we use a document called 'Development Matters'. This breaks down each goal into different age bands and is used by staff throughout the year to assess how close children are to reaching the goals.

All of these documents, and many other useful resources, are available from this website: http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/


In the classroom

Early Years learning and development is provided through purposeful play and through adult led structures and routines that build confidence and provide intellectual stimulus and challenge.

Throughout the day, children will have direct teaching sessions for maths, literacy and phonics, either as the whole-class or in small groups. The rest of the time they will be taking part in activities inside and outside the classroom. Some of the activities will have been prepared by the teacher and will focus on specific objectives. They may be led by an adult or modelled initially and then the children can access them independently. The children will also be able to choose activities from any of the other resources available.

Teachers choose which activities to set-up by assessing the children’s levels of understanding across all areas of the curriculum and identifying any ‘gaps’ in their learning. Teaching inputs and activities are then planned to address these gaps and evidence is then gathered to show the children have then achieved this learning.

All the teaching staff will be engaging with the children during the activities and helping to support their learning and development. Children’s learning is assessed by observing what they say and do during these times. These are recorded and are then shared with parents.


Wrap Around Care

Here at Harris Garrard Academy, we provide a Breakfast Club and After School Club for all children from Reception through to Year 6 whose parents require these. The clubs are well organised, stimulating and fun.

Our goal is to provide all children in our care with a happy, safe, caring and stimulating environment before and after school. The Breakfast Club and After School Club is a team effort, sharing responsibilities with families to provide the best care for all children. Any issues are openly or confidentially discussed. Please feel free to contact us to discuss anything, or pass on information.

Before you start using any Wrap Around Care you need to complete an application, details of which can be found HERE.