Harris Academy at Peckham
Encyclopedia
Harris Academy at Peckham (also known as the Academy at Peckham, Peckham Academy or Harris Academy Peckham) is a coeducational academy
Academy
An academy is an institution of higher learning, research, or honorary membership.The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece. In the western world academia is the...

 in the town of Peckham
Peckham
Peckham is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...

, London Borough of Southwark
London Borough of Southwark
The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in south east London, England. It is directly south of the River Thames and the City of London, and forms part of Inner London.-History:...

 for pupils from the ages of 11 to 18. The school specialises in Business & Enterprise, ICT and the Performing Arts.

The school was formerly named Warrick Park, but due to unsatisfactory test results, the school was given an overhaul and was named The Academy at Peckham. The school was refurbished and given better resources. After this, the school gradually began to improve. In 2007, the school was re-named to The Harris Academy at Peckham due to funding from Lord Harris of Peckham. This resulted in a change of the school logo to include its place in the Harris Federation
Harris Federation
Harris Federation is a federation of Primary and Secondary academies in South London, England. There are currently fourteen open academies in the federation which span over five London boroughs including the London Borough of Croydon, London Borough of Southwark, London Borough of Bexley, London...

.

Its most recent Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....

 report in September 2009 claimed that the school was "good" and is "improving rapidly". Catherine Loxton was instated as permanent principal of the school in October 2009.

Overview

The school is headed by a Headteacher and a Board of Governors. There are also several assistants to the headteacher, known as 'Vice Principals' and 'Assistant Vice-Principals' respectively. There is also a Head of Year for each year group.

School terms

The school year is split into four terms;
  • Autumn Term, which begins in early September and ends in mid-December. New pupils are admitted at the start of this term.
  • Winter Term, which begins in early January and ends in early April.
  • Spring Term, which begins in late April and ends in late May.
  • Summer Term, which begins in early June and ends in late July. Year 11 students leave after their GCSE exams mid-way through this term.

The School Day

The school day is split into 5 hour-long periods;
8.00am - 8.40am School is open for use
8.40am - 9.40am Period 1
9.45am - 10.45am Period 2
10.45am - 11.05am Break
11.05am - 12.05pm Period 3
12.10pm - 1.10pm Period 4 or Lunch Period A
1.10pm - 2.00pm Period 4 or Lunch Period B
2.00pm - 2.30pm Afternoon Registration
2.30pm - 3.30pm Period 5
3.30pm - 5.00pm Extra-curricular activities


However, the Academy is open for students from 8am until 5pm, at which times the school library and ICT suites are open for use.

Curriculum

The school offers a range of subjects. The compulsory subjects for the students are as follows:
Years 7-9 Years 10-11
English English
Maths Maths
Sciences Sciences
Citizenship Citizenship
P.E P.E
Geography Optional
Design Technology/ Food Technology Optional
Art Optional
Music Optional
History Optional
ICT Optional
Performing Arts Optional
Modern Foreign Languages Optional
Religious Studies Optional


The students of the school are asked to choose their GCSE subjects at the end of Year 9. They must choose two GCSE courses and one BTEC course. The choices are as follows:
BTEC GCSE
Business and Enterprise History
Music Geography
Hospitality and Catering Art
Hairdressing Modern Foreign Languages
Performing Arts ICT
Business and Enterprise Design Technology
Business and Enterprise Religious Studies

However, students who excel at their studies are often entered for GCSE exams one to two years early, and are allowed to take extra GCSE courses as an extra-curricular activity.

Music and Drama

The school has an extensive Music and Drama department, with a history of high Music and Drama exams results (most students receiving Distinction or higher) and acclaimed theatrical performances, including an annual school performance and occasional performances at other venues (including the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...

). The drama department also have connections with Peckham Shed. There is also an annual musical soiree held and organised by the Music students.

Uniforms

The students of the academy are required to wear a blue shirt, a black blazer with the school logo, a grey tie with the school logo and black trousers or a black skirt. They may also wear a grey jumper with the school logo and a black overcoat. Members of the student council may wear a student council pin on the lapel of their blazer.

However, starting from 4/8/2010, there will be a new uniform. This uniform will include a black blazer with an white outer trim. The logo will be on the blazer which can be located around the chest area. The trousers and the skirts will remain the same as the previous uniform. The tie will be changed to a design of diagonal white and black stripes.

Boys

Compulsory
  • School blazer with crest (design to be changed soon)
  • Blue shirt
  • School tie (design to be changed soon)
  • Black trousers
  • Black leather shoes


Girls

Compulsory
  • School blazer with crest (design to be changed soon)
  • Blue shirt
  • School tie (design to be changed soon)
  • Black skirt/ trousers
  • Black leather shoes


Optional
  • School jumper (design to be changed soon)
  • Black/navy blue coat
  • Black woollen hat/beret

Sports

The school has many sports teams, including their own Football team, Basketball team, Rugby team, Badminton team and Cricket team. Many students are also part of local sports teams. The school also has a team of Cheerleaders, who perform at the annual Harris Federation Sports Day and other major sporting events.

Clubs and Societies

The Academy has a wide range of clubs and societies, which are as follows;
  • Gifted and Talented Society

Special Events

The school holds several events throughout the year, including;
  • The Annual School Awards Evening
  • The Annual Summer Fair
  • The Annual Musical Soiree
  • An Annual Theatrical Performance (Usually held around Christmas)
  • Several Sports Tournaments

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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