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Aims/Learning Ethos

The Harris Academy South Norwood is a vibrant Business and Enterprise Academy at the heart of the community in South Norwood. There is a culture of high expectations for all students, which underpins every development in the Academy. Harris Academy South Norwood has developed flexible and creative approaches to teaching and learning that will raise standards for all. A positive ethos is growing around the focus on Business and Enterprise through which we will equip all students with the best possible education, ensuring they are fully prepared to succeed in their chosen careers as constructive citizens of the wider society in which they will live and work.

There are fantastic new buildings, complemented by refurbishment of the existing listed building and new equipment throughout. The Academy will have the ability to offer a high quality education to 1300 girls and boys aged from 11 to 19, including Post 16 provision for 250 students. This Academy is another new school in the Harris Federation of Schools and it will work collaboratively with the other Harris Academies in South London.

The new Academy has been heavily oversubscribed in Year 7. The 2007 intake has equal numbers of students across the ability bands and there is an equal balance of Girls and Boys, on average year 7 will live within a mile from the school.

Students at the Academy are expected to make a commitment to work hard, to make the maximum use of the facilities and to be fully participating members of the Academy community. Students are expected to abide by the agreed principles for good learning and the Academy Code of Conduct in order to maintain a positive atmosphere at all times.

Using the specialism of Business and Enterprise six core principles have been established that will be recognised across the Academy as promoting enterprising learning. Students and staff will develop the meanings of these principles throughout the year, during tutor time, assemblies, student councils and implementation of our policies.

These principles will also be used as part of the self evaluation and review process.

  • Learning First

  • High Aspirations

  • Business Environment

  • Celebrate Success

  • Growing confidence

  • Spirit of Enterprise

An Academy ethos of encouragement is central to the promotion of good learning. Rewards are one of the means of achieving this, they have a motivational role in helping students to realise that good behaviour and high achievement is valued. The Academy will ensure that all student achievements are recognised regularly and shared with parents/careres. As well as systems for accumulating Academy merits there will be 6 weekly achievement assemblies within faculties, recognising a range of achievement and an annual Academy awards ceremony.

All this leads inevitably to the following Mission Statement:

“Achieving excellence through Enterprise”