An

Outstanding
Academy
HARRIS CITY ACADEMY
CRYSTAL PALACE IS AN
OUTSTANDING SCHOOL.
Ofsted 2014
Welcome
I am delighted to welcome you
to Harris City Academy Crystal
Palace. Our vision is simple,
All Can Achieve.
We put students at the centre
of everything we do and
aim to give all students the
foundations for a successful
life by helping them develop
the skills and attributes that
will provide them with real life-chances. Students
are expected to work hard and to achieve their
individual best academically, to develop skills
relevant to the 21st Century and to develop the
self-confidence and sense of purpose necessary for
success in a highly competitive global society. Harris
City Academy Crystal Palace provides students with
a safe yet challenging environment where all can
truly achieve.
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace is a very special
school, which this academic year celebrates
its 25th Anniversary. As well as its national
achievements, including its third consecutive
Outstanding Ofsted (2014), we pride ourselves
on the outstanding educational experience we
give our students. Harris City Academy Crystal
Palace has an enviable reputation for academic
success and each summer we celebrate impressive
examination results both at GCSE and A Level.
Our success is down to the hard work of our
students, our excellent teachers, a broad and
varied academic curriculum and an educational
environment that highlights the traditional
standards of uniform, discipline and respect.
We aim to deliver:
Exam success we want our students to get the
best possible qualifications
Challenge, relevance and engagement
we want all our students to be fully involved in
their learning
Appropriate skills for living, for work and
for happiness
Active citizens
Self-identity and a feeling of self-worth
Opportunities and experiences that ignite
our students
Healthy habits that are embedded for life
We are an outstanding school, but do not just
take our word for it come and visit us on our
Open Evening where you will have the opportunity
to meet staff and students and to see the wide range
of opportunities and activities available at Harris.
If you would like a place at this Academy for your
child, then please list Harris City Academy Crystal
Palace on your application form.
I look forward to meeting with you.
K. Cumberbatc h
Ms Katherine Cumberbatch, Acting Principal
Page 1
 Ofsted
Inspection
October 2014
Grade 1 (Outstanding) was awarded in every category:

Overall effectiveness OUTSTANDING

Leadership and management OUTSTANDING

Behaviour and safety of pupils OUTSTANDING

Quality of teaching OUTSTANDING

Achievement of pupils OUTSTANDING

Sixth form provision OUTSTANDING

" Students say how much they value the high

quality teaching they receive and their teachers'
willingness to give them extra help to prepare for
their examinations."

" Students' performance in a wide range of subjects

is excellent."

" Students are considerate and respectful of each

other and staff. They are exceptionally well
behaved and know how to keep themselves safe."

" Teachers plan tasks very well so that students of

all abilities, including the least and most able,
are able to achieve success and enjoy learning."

" The academy's curriculum is skilfully organised

to provide a large range of subjects. It develops
a strong commitment to learning and personal
achievement."

Page 2
 STUDENTS OF ALL
ABILITIES MAKE
OUTSTANDING
PROGRESS.
Ofsted 2014

Page 3
 Learning
at Harris City Academy
Crystal Palace

The Curriculum For students aged 1316 the Academy offers

a full range of GCSE courses, as well as several
BTEC courses to suit every taste and aptitude. Our
Our students experience rich and varied lessons
students start all their GCSE courses in Year 9. In
supported by the latest teaching techniques and
the Sixth Form students can progress on to take
equipment. Each subject has a highly qualified
a particularly wide range of A Level and BTEC
specialist team of teachers, teaching in rooms
courses (please refer to the Harris Federation Sixth
which have been equipped for their subject.
Form Prospectus for further details).
For students aged 1113 the Academy offers the
National Curriculum Including: New Technologies
English The Academy is richly equipped with the
Mathematics latest ICT facilities, including over 770 high
speed internet-linked computers, interactive
Science whiteboards, a wireless network of laptop
History computers, a Mac Suite and many other facilities
to support independent and personalised
Geography learning. ICT and digital technologies are used
French and/or Spanish in every subject and a variety of examination
courses are available in IT. The Academy places
Music the highest priority on using new technologies for
Citizenship learning and our Federation wide VLE and Harris
Net enables home access to learning materials for
Physical Education students and parents.
Art
Design Technology Religious Education and
Information and Communication Technology Collective Worship
Technology Students undertake a daily Act of Collective
Religion & Philosophy Worship of broadly Christian character, which
includes values and beliefs from other faiths.

Religion & Philosophy (R & P) encourages

students to have confidence in their own beliefs
and culture, as well as respecting the values and
STUDENTS ARE beliefs of others. Through R&P students learn
CONSIDERATE AND how to think through moral issues and learn
empathy for others. Parents/carers have the right
RESPECTFUL OF EACH to withdraw their children from the daily Act of
OTHER AND STAFF. THEY Collective Worship and from R&P Lessons.
ARE EXCEPTIONALLY
WELL BEHAVED.
Ofsted 2014

Page 4
 THE OUTSTANDING CURRICULUM HELPS TO Ensure THAT
STUDENTS ACHIEVE HIGHLY AND RAPIDLY DEVELOP THE PERSONAL
SKILLS AND QUALITIES NEEDED FOR SUCCESS IN THE NEXT STAGE
OF THEIR EDUCATION AND IN THE WORLD OF WORK. Ofsted 2014

Sex Education Careers

As required by educational law the Academy
Education and Guidance
provides Sex Education for all students. Full details
A full programme of Careers Education and
of our Sex Education Policy are available on
Guidance is provided for students from age 11 to
request. Parents/carers have the right to withdraw
age 18. The Federation employs dedicated Careers
their children from Sex Education lessons.
Advisors who are available for students. In addition,
work placements across a wide variety of career
areas are available to students in Year 10 and Sixth
Form to help broaden their understanding of the
opportunities available in the world of work. The
Academy has been awarded Investors in Careers
for its outstanding careers education and guidance.

Page 5
Page 6
 Homework/
Independent Learning
Regular homework is vital in securing the very
best results for our students. It consolidates work
done in lessons and encourages the development
of self-discipline and independent study. The
amount of homework given increases as students
progress through the Academy. All students
have a diary planner in which to record their
homework. If there are any concerns about either
the quality or quantity of homework set, parents/
carers are encouraged to contact the form tutor
or subject teacher.

The nature of homework varies greatly and

is dependent on the subject. To help develop
independent learning skills for A Level and University
study we have introduced a range of independent
study assignments; such as the Personal Extended
Study (PXS) and Extended Project.

WELL CHOSEN RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE USE OF NEW

TECHNOLOGIES AND A DIVERSE VARIETY OF TEACHING STRATEGIES,
PROMOTE HIGH LEVELS OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT SO THAT THEY
MAKE OUTSTANDING PROGRESS OVER TIME. Ofsted 2014

Gifted and Talented

The Academy is committed to providing a high
quality, challenging and relevant education
for each one of our students. This extends to
our most able and talented students who are
stretched and developed as part of our extensive
gifted and talented programme. Students are not
only accelerated in the curriculum but also are
presented with a range of exciting opportunities
ranging from Enterprise events, debating
competitions and an extensive variety of visits
and trips.

Page 7
 Enriching Learning
Lessons are crucial, but at Harris City Academy
Crystal Palace we believe that our students
experience should be more than just about
lessons. The Academy runs an extensive sports
programme throughout the year. Many students
represent Croydon in various sporting events
including football, netball, cross country running,
basketball and many other sports. The quality of
coaching at the Academy is high.

There are also a variety of clubs and subject

support programmes offered to students after
lessons and during holidays. As well as these
activities, students are encouraged to participate
in a wide range of trips and visits including
the Duke of Edinburgh Award and residential
outdoor events and overseas visits.

Meeting Individual Needs:

Personalised Learning
We recognise that everyone is an individual and
we aim to match the teaching that we provide to
the learning needs of each student. In this way
we aim to provide personalised learning, assisted
by the latest technology, for every student.

THE ACADEMYS
CURRICULUM IS SKILFULLY
ORGANISED TO PROVIDE
A LARGE RANGE OF
SUBJECTS. IT DEVELOPS A
STRONG COMMITMENT TO
LEARNING AND PERSONAL
ACHIEVEMENT.
Ofsted 2014

Page 8
SIXTH FORM
We are part of the Harris Federation Sixth
Form. Our Sixth Formers are role models for our
younger students.
The Sixth Form is outstanding (Ofsted 2014)
and offers everything our students love about
their Harris education in an environment where
they are treated as young adults. It involves
a step change and a new relationship with
teachers: our Sixth Formers wear suits not
uniform and plan for a working day that fits
in with a new type of learning.
We also have links with top London universities
including Kings, Imperial College and
Goldsmiths, enabling our students to attend
university lectures and conferences.
The Sixth Form regularly sends students to top
Russell Group Universities, specialist Arts, Drama
and Music Schools and directly into training and
apprenticeships for the careers of their choice.

Our students look at Sixth Form as the race to the

finishing line of their pre-University education.
This period of their education is filled with
opportunities to develop their experience and to
work with leading practitioners in the field they
are interested in.

Page 9
 Life as a student
at Harris City Academy
Crystal Palace

In order for students to fulfil their potential at the Academy, they need to feel secure, safe, supported
and well-motivated. In order to achieve this, the Academy has a number of important expectations,
rules and procedures as follows:

Mutual Respect Prefects

The Academy expects students to take
responsibility for their behaviour at all times, both
on and off the Academy site, and to treat each
other with respect, tolerance and consideration.
We foster a calm and disciplined learning ethos
in which students work to the best of their
ability. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated
and will always be quickly and firmly dealt with.
A large group of Sixth Form students are
nominated each year to undertake the
challenging role of Senior Prefects. They are
ably supported by Faculty Prefects in Year 11
who develop their own confidence and skills
by undertaking wider Academy duties and
responsibilities. A Head Boy and Head Girl are
elected from the Senior Prefects each year
by other students and staff to represent the
Academy and lead the Senior Prefect team.

Self-Discipline
The Student Council
The Academy expects students to have pride in
themselves and in the Academy. High standards The Student Council is made up of representatives
of behaviour are expected, a desire to learn is from each tutor group. The Council meets
expected, and students are expected to wear the monthly in order to discuss issues of interest and
Academy uniform in line with our clear policy. also to make suggestions for improvement to
the Academy. Student Council elections are held
annually September. These involve students in the
Belonging to a Faculty full democratic process of canvassing, election
hustings and voting.
Every student joins a Faculty. Faculties provide
a sense of belonging to a smaller unit which
overcomes the concerns some students have
when moving to a large secondary school.
These are Arts, Communications, Mathematics
& Commerce and Science & Technology. There
is a healthy rivalry amongst the Faculties which
increases student motivation and encourages
students to work together. Throughout
Academy life, students represent their Faculty in
a wide variety of ways including in sporting and
other activities.

Page 10
 STUDENTS ENJOY CONTRIBUTING TO
THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY, TAKING
RESPONSIBLE ROLES AND DEVELOPING
LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
Ofsted 2014

Page 11
 THERE IS EXCELLENT
LEADERshIP From THE
PRINCIPAL. Ofsted 2014

Healthy Eating at Harris community competitions all carry opportunities for

A range of healthy and nutritious meals is available
daily from the Academy Restaurant including a wide
variety of ethnic and dietary foods. The Restaurant is
open for breakfast, break and lunch.
Recognising Achievement
recognition of individual and group student success
within the Academy.
Facilities and Equipment
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace offers students
exceptionally good levels of equipment and facilities.

These include a large, state-of-the-art, industry

All can achieve is our motto. We believe that all
standard computer network; a wireless mobile
students achievements should be recognised. Great
network; a suite of business rooms to simulate the
emphasis is placed on celebrating achievement and
world of work; an interactive language laboratory;
promoting responsible behaviour whenever possible.
a video digital editing suite; Mac Suite; well equipped
science laboratories; a large open plan art and design
Awards recognise effort and achievement.
studio; a Learning Resources Centre; a dedicated
Certificates are given in recognition of consistent
Sixth Form block and facilities for Music and Drama.
effort and participation in the Academy community.
We have a very strong commitment to continue to
improve and develop our facilities in order to offer
Certificates may be awarded for outstanding academic
unrivalled opportunities to our young people.
work, effort and commitment, excellent attendance
and punctuality and community service etc.
A Partnership with Parents
Celebrating Success Together we share a responsibility for your childs
education. Harris City Academy Crystal Palace works
The Annual Prize Giving Evening, the Year 11 and Year
closely with parents/carers to develop an effective
13 Annual Celebration of Achievement Evenings and
partnership. We welcome any contribution parents
the Annual Sports Award Evening are just some of
wish to make to the life of the Academy, which
the formal events where success is celebrated. Weekly
could include: listening to students read, working
Faculty and termly whole Academy assemblies also
with small groups in minority ethnic languages,
include award sections and departmental and teacher
accompanying visits or sports events, coaching
recognition of students work and achievement is done
in sports or other skills, participating in drama or
through the postcards, badge awards and certificates
music productions.
which the Principal presents during the year. The
numerous inter-Faculty, creative, enterprising and

Page 12
Arrangements for
Students with Disabilities
and Special Needs
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace is an inclusive
school which admits students with disabilities and
special needs on an equal basis with other students.
The Academy has installed lifts, disabled access
ramps and wheelchair facilities. As a result, disabled
students, including those in wheelchairs, have full
access to the curriculum. We have a small successful
special educational needs team and depending
on need, students may receive additional support
in the SEN base as well as in lessons. We work in
partnership with parents/carers and all parents are
kept closely informed about progress.
Complaints Procedure
Lewis Health & Leisure Centre
The Academys Health and Fitness Centre provides
leisure and sports facilities for the Academy and
for the local community. This suite contains the
full range of equipment expected in a Leisure and
Fitness Centre.
For further details please call: 020 8771 4508.
Friends of Harris City
Academy Crystal Palace
As parents/carers you will automatically become
members of the Harris City Academy Parents,
Teachers and Friends Association (HCAPTFA) The
HCAPTFA runs several meetings during the year
to which all parents/carers are very welcome.
The purpose is to work in partnership with the
Academy for the benefit of students education.

We pride ourselves on our high-quality customer

care, but there may be occasions when parents are
dissatisfied and wish to make a formal complaint.
We respect your right to do so and ask that you
follow the procedure available upon request
Informal concerns should be addressed to the
relevant member of staff.

TEACHERS AND CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS

MODEL A LOVE OF LEARNING THROUGH
THEIR EXPERTISE AND COMMITMENT
TO THEIR SUBJECT. THAT PASSION IS
INFECTIOUS. Ofsted 2014

Page 13
 What to Do Next
Apply for a Place
You may apply for a place at Harris City Academy
Crystal Palace by listing us on the Common
Application Form (CAF). Additionally although not
compulsory, we would appreciate the completion
of the Supplementary Information Form, but
if you require a concession (for example SEN
or Medical Needs), you MUST complete the
Supplementary Information Form, and supply
medical or professional evidence, then return it to
the Academy along with proof of residence by 31st
October each year.

The Supplementary Information Form can be

found in the Key Information Admissions section
on our website www.harriscrystalpalace.org.uk
and this will need to be returned to the Academy
along with the proof of residence by 31st October.

NB Completion of a Supplementary Information

Form for Harris City Academy does NOT
constitute an application to the Academy. You
MUST complete the Local Authority Common
Application Form as well.

Visit the Academy

You may wish to visit us on our Open Evening
and meet members of staff and students before
making a decision on whether to apply.

Financial Assistance
Further information and application procedures in
respect of free meals and other forms of financial
assistance are available from the Finance Office.
All enquiries will be dealt with in strict confidence.
There will be a number of trips and visits as
part of the curriculum each year. Children from
homes where financial difficulties exist will not be
excluded in the event of financial hardship.

Page 14
Page 15
 Harris
Federation
Our Academy is sponsored by the Harris Each year for Sports Day, the Harris Federation
Federation, a not-for-profit charity with 25 years hires the Crystal Palace Sports Stadium.
of experience in running schools. The Federation
runs a family of Primary and Secondary Academies
With well over 10,000 student and staff
in and around London. spectators in attendance, Academies compete
in team and individual sports.
The Harris Federation has an exceptional track
record, with academic progress outpacing the The sound of students cheering each
national average by 3 or 4 times each year and more other on is so loud that, last year Team GB
than three quarters of its Secondary Academies
so far judged as Outstanding by Ofsted this is
athlete Louise Jukes who happened to be
unmatched by any other education body. nearby tweeted:

The work of the Federation is made possible

through the generous financial support of Lord
Harris of Peckham and is brought to life by a team
of excellent teachers and leaders.
You can follow the Harris Federation on Twitter:
@HarrisFed.
Can hear hundreds of kids
screaming from the stadium at
Crystal Palace! What a great
noise! Kids loving sports day!
Wish I was a kid again!

Page 16
 From
the Chief
Executive
The Harris Federation is a London charity with more
than twenty years of experience in education. Our
Academies combine the traditional values of good
manners, strong discipline and smart uniform with
the best of modern teaching and technology.
Harris City Academy Crystal Palace has established
itself as a highly enterprising and very successful
member of our group. Working closely together
in and around London, our Academies are able
to offer a far broader range of opportunities, far
better training and professional development for
staff and real success for our students.
What makes this Academy so successful?
Students who enjoy learning and look forward to
coming to school each day; teachers and support
staff who are genuinely ambitious for every
student; a senior leadership team that consistently
sets standards of excellence.
If your son or daughter wants to come to an
Academy with drive and ambition, then I hope you
will attend one of its open events to find out more.
Sir Daniel Moynihan Ed.D, M.A., B.Sc. (Econ)
Chief Executive of the Harris Federation
From
the
Sponsor
As an employer and a father I strongly believe
that a good education is the best start in
life that you can give a child. Harris City
Academy Crystal Palace promotes hard work,
curiosity of mind, integrity and ambition.
It works tirelessly, in partnership with the
other Harris Academies, to ensure the greatest
success for every child, regardless of their
ability or aptitude.
I hope you will come along to our various
Open Day or Evening Events to see for yourself
the difference the Academy is making.
Lord Harris of Peckham
Page 17
Maberley Road, London SE19 2JH
T: 020 8771 2261 F: 020 8771 7531 Email: info@harriscrystalpalace.org.uk
www.harriscrystalpalace.org.uk