Harris purley

[Cabbagesaregreen]

Hi
Anyone have any knowledge or opinions on this school? How are they with more able children? Do they set them and make sure they're stretched? What are they like pastorally? How is behaviour?
Thanks.

Not worked at the Harris in Purley, but have worked at other Harris schools (I am a supply teacher) and have been very impressed with the behaviour policy. (Harris have the same policy in all their schools)
As a supply teacher (and all schools use supply teachers)I do get to see the best and worst of behaviour in secondary schools ) and the thing that distinguishes the best and worst is a coherent behaviour policy that everyone understands.
FWIW I would be happier sending my DC to a Harris Academy than other schools in Surrey and other SW London schools I have worked in.

Thanks. That's very encouraging.

I don't know about Harris Purley, but students of Harris SN do not behave very nice when I see them walking to school.

Whenever I've come across purley pupils they all seem to be behaving fine. Certainly look better presented than when haling manor.

One of the reasons I think the Harris classrooms are better learning environment than some other schools is absolute zero tolerance of mobile phone use. This is quite noticeable, an d a lot of classroom time can be wasted dealing with furtive mobile use.
In one particularly bad school I was in recently, but won't agree to work in again, the policy is only to confiscate a phone after three warnings... needless to say in that school a lot of time is wasted policing the warnings, and the girls knew they had three strikes before they were out - whioch is a lot of time wasted in a 50 minute lesson.
I assume other good schools have similar policy to Harris, and if I were looking for a school now for my DC I would definitely ask the to see the policy - it may seem unimportant to parents, but believe me, it does affect learning quite significantly.

I agree with meadow. The Harris SN children outside of school do not present in a way that would encourage me to send my children there. However, this is in stark contrast to Harris CP students who have a more refined manner about them.

But Harris CP admissions is almost like lottery. No guaranteed entry if you live close by.
Also how about the talks that Harris excludes students from their levels if they feel the will not pass. Someone said check the number of admitted students and the number of students who took their exams. I have not checked myself.
Harris Purley may be a different kettle of fish though. OP did you check Thomas More - the accept non religious, heard good things lately.

I have my eyes on Harris Beckenham, though hoping not to have to go to Harris school.

• not to have to send my DC to a Harris school.

Thanks for replies. I think dd will end up at a harris as not too much choice.

I dislike the Harris chain - I think they 'succeed' by excluding those unlikely to pass exams, discriminating against SN children in their admissions process, and being ridiculously target driven. I took my dd out of a Harris because of how deeply uncaring they are. As the parent of a child with SN I feel completely gutted that this academy chain now dominates school choice in some areas of SE London.

Ok. Not so great then for sen which is a shame. Thanks for more views.

Don't know about admissions (as I am supply teacher) but have found good support for SEN with dedicated TAs in classes I have taught.

How are they at catering for level 6s?