Applying to Year 7
Are you looking for a Year 7 place in September 2026?
We have 180 places in Year 7 in September 2026. Applications for Year 7 places starting September 2026 should be made online using the Common Application Form provided and administered by the local authority. This opens on 1 September 2025 and can be found at the link below.
For further information you can also read the Applying for a secondary school page of the Bexley Council website.
Open events
Why not come and see our academy in action at one of our open events and school tours. Please see our Open Events page for details of opportunities to visit our school and see for yourself what makes Harris Garrard Academy such an exciting place to learn. We look forward to welcoming you.
September 2026 admissions to Year 7
The Academy works to the common admissions timetable agreed by Bexley Council. The key dates are:
- 1st September 2025 - Applications for Year 7 places in September 2026 opens.
- 31st October 2025 - Closing date for applications for Year 7 places in September 2026.
- 12th December 2025 - Harris Academy Banding Test day.
- 2nd March 2026 - National Offer Day. The Local Authority notifies parents about successful applications to secondary school.
- 30th March 2026 - Closing date for appeals for primary to secondary transfer. Appeals must be made by 5pm on the closing day. Appeals will be heard in May 2026.
- 1st September 2026 - Waiting list closed and replaced by casual admissions waiting lists. Parents/carers will need to re-apply as casual admission, if still waiting.
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.
Future banding test dates:
- Friday 11 December 2026
- Friday 10 December 2027
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).
[NB the form below is for admission in Sept 2025]
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.
The appeals process
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 2026 intake the deadline for appeals for reception and Year 6 are set out in the table above. Appeals for ‘in-year admissions’ will be reviewed throughout the year.
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.
If you have any queries...
We want to help as much as we can, so if you have any queries please contact our admissions team.
Telephone: 020 8320 4800
Email: admissions@harrisgarrard.org.uk
Address: Harris Garrard Academy, Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, Kent DA18 4DW
Admissions Officer: Charlotte Cashford
Policies & Documents
Admissions
The Governing Body of Harris Garrard Academy has agreed to determine the admissions arrangements. The determined admission arrangements can be found below. Our published admission number (PAN) for each year group is: Years 7 to 11 - 180 in each year; Years 12 and 13 – 15 external candidates in additional to internal.