Twitter

23/04/19

First day back and year 11 are already stuck into a waking talking mock for English! https://t.co/G4d01F462T

05/04/19

Our year 12s spent Wednesday evening exploring their future options

03/04/19

Exciting scenes at our Knowledge Maestro competition today. Congratulations to the Enterprise and World Studies hubs for being victorious! https://t.co/WUPhri7ZbU

03/04/19

Our Sixth Form is proud to announce its first cohort of students, who will complete their Bronze Awards by the end of the Summer Term. Find out more at https://t.co/1uVwhYNcQS … https://t.co/X7eBhy2Xct

03/04/19

From Rudolf Hess to Lady Jane Grey. Year 5 have been learning about famous prisoners in the . This lovely writing is by Debbie. Great drawing too. Loads more great learning for our primary phase students at https://t.co/RA6vmfdHiJ https://t.co/SIrR2yQZqN

03/04/19

In Reception Class this week we have been focusing on our topic . Ilyas is writing a list of picnic food he needs to take to the moon. Vital! And Renee is writing 'rocket sentences' in speech bubbles. Loads more at https://t.co/RA6vmfdHiJ https://t.co/WRY6apsPEu

01/04/19

About to board the mini bus to make our way to the Cory Riverside Energy planet where London’s waste is processed! https://t.co/GjNsomnj1p

01/04/19

Hi from has come in to help us learn about the 3Rs! https://t.co/axdFwQBBOH

29/03/19

Year 10 enjoying a production by today - always a delight to welcome people in! https://t.co/dfsfGMCqhZ

28/03/19

Ase delivering her speech this evening at the 'Speak Out' regional finals at St Catherine's! She smashed it! We are so proud of her. https://t.co/NCjRgFNqOM

28/03/19

Year 4 are learning about different denominations at in Thamesmead. We can’t wait to see their writing after this visit! https://t.co/eaHZnxcVZc

26/03/19

So proud of Arsens and Dzuljeta who represented our school at the British Schools Championships in Sheffield last weekend. Arsens is now British Schools Champion in his age and weight category. So proud of them both. Full story https://t.co/WsdauiGTRg https://t.co/I4aIhnxUoe

26/03/19

Year 5 have had a fantastic time at the ⁦⁩ today! The perfect trip to enrich our learning in the topic ‘Crime and Punishment’ ⁦⁩ https://t.co/SjvlwKADl5

26/03/19

🎵 Choir rehearsal under way! Note for parents: as you look at the stage we are sat on the top left! https://t.co/4xjYMMkMke

26/03/19

Desperately trying to find out how many bananas you can fit in one shipping container (it’s 48,000)! 🍌🍌 https://t.co/ejsVUiMscm

26/03/19

The HGA choir are enjoying brunch in the sun before going in for their rehearsals for tonight’s performance https://t.co/0KbEkOd7LS

26/03/19

Walking through Greenwich Park on our way to the National Maritime Museum! https://t.co/z8oufFZMvb

22/03/19

Mr Taylor is talking about healthy and unhealthy food in reception class today. We said that it’s ok to have some sweets or cakes sometimes but not all of the time! https://t.co/r6vqUCyj7d

21/03/19

Ms Biosah was given a very special gift by students at Club yesterday. This beautiful paper rose showed very impressive skills and great too. https://t.co/WUS8M5cwOQ

20/03/19

Retweetd From Bexley School Games

Another great afternoon for the 2nd Festival. Thanks again to for ensuring the girls had a fantastic afternoon learning new skills & having fun https://t.co/o6cO2JXZl0

Harris Academies
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Literacy

At Harris Garrard Academy we understand how important good literacy is for your child's development and life choices.  

Developing skills in literacy is about learning to use language to express, explore and communicate our thoughts, ideas and feelings with others. We do this through speaking, listening, reading and writing, and getting better at literacy means making progress in each of these areas. 

We owe it to our students to give them the very best literacy skills in order to improve their chances in life, and to enable them to succeed in whatever path they choose. We adopt a cross-curricular focus to promoting good literacy amongst our pupils and staff. We believe that promoting literacy is a whole academy responsibility and not just that of the English department. We also invite you to join us in developing your child's literacy at home.  

HGA Literary Canon

Harris Garrard Academy has its own 'Literary Canon' to promote a love of reading canonical texts. There are 100 incredible books on the Literary Canon list: 50 for Key Stages 4 and 5, and 50 for Key Stage 3.

Download the Key Stage 3 Literary Canon

Download the Key Stage 4-5 Literary Canon

Every student has a reading journal to start working their way through the canon and reading the books, and we give out prizes in awards assembly for those that have read the most books on the canon. Teachers are also read books on the canon to discuss with students and review them for a 'Canon book of the week'.

Drop Everything and Read

At the start of the school day, every student and member of staff stops what they are doing and read for 20 minutes. It's called Drop Everything and Read time.

“For a few minutes after tutor time the whole Academy, staff as well as students, will drop everything and read to encourage reading for pleasure,” said Executive Principal Chris Everitt.

Reading and literacy skills are the key to learning and pleasure. They open doors and allow our students to access all aspects of the curriculum, whilst improving oracy, communication and problem-solving skills.

Download our literacy policy from our Teaching and Learning page.