Harris Girls' Academy Bromley

[Whatafool123]

Due to having taken selective exams, we now have a week in which to alter preferences for DD's secondary school.

We put Harris Bromley on the list but without knowing anything about it really as we were unable to visit this year for obvious reasons. I am now trying to decide whether to move it up our list of preferences or put it below Weald of Kent, which she may have an outside chance of getting into but which is obviously a significant commute from Bromley.

Does anyone have a DD at Harris Bromley, or otherwise know about the school and could advise whether it is one where the girls are generally happy and motivated?

Thanks in advance.

Hi,it's one of my local schools although my DD goes somewhere else.

I have quite a few friends with girls there and they like it a lot,the results are good.

Personally I didn't like their attitude to arts and music,bare art room and no Head of music. But depends what you're looking for and each time their own.

Lovely colour uniform 😀

Thanks @Bingowin. That is really helpful. The art point is a little worrying, as is having no Head of Music. However, DD may not be affwcted hugely by those as I am not sure music or art are where her talents lie (though admittedly that could change). It is so frustrating not being able to look round schools to get a feel for them. Hard to make a decisiin based on a video and a website!

Could I ask where your daughter goes and if you are happy with the school?

And I agree about the uniform

I agree,it's hard to tell even with an open day let alone an online thing!

My son is in year 6 so had to do it all over again.

My DD is year 8 now and at Sydenham school,she's happy and doing well. She can walk there so that's a big plus.

I should say that the art and music situ may be different now as I looked around a couple of years ago. It just felt like it was more about results of the core subjects rather than all round type of provision iykwim.

I would check the average number of GCSE’s taken by the girls, divided by prior attainment. I was really shocked when I looked at that. When we visited last year the girls were unable to do triple science and if they wanted to do Physics a-level they had to do it at Harris Beckenham. That said, on the open day the girls demonstrating (particularly in PE) were really thoughtful and encouraging with my very shy DD, the girls showing us around were really helpful. The teachers were also enthusiastic and engaged. You should put on a school you are 100% sure of getting a place in, so if Harris Bromley is that school, don’t leave it off completely.

Thanks @Onvacation. That is a bit worrying, especially as DD is currently quute keen on Science. I will look into it further.

I have submitted the preference change form now, and included Harris on the list, as it is not too far from us and is all girls, which we like. Bullers is our first choice as it is much closer and also a good school but it is all a bit hit and miss this year with no opportunity to visit and get any sort of feel for anywhere. So your and @Bingowin's insights are really helpful, thank you 😊

I've heard good things about Bullers W,and being close to a school is a good thing IMO.

Who wants to do a massive commute,they'll have to do that in their adulthood probably!

I take it your dd did a grammar test if you're able to change your options? We didn't apply for grammar (too far for us) so had to have it all sorted by Oct 31st.

Yes that's right @Bingowin, she did take a test. There is an outside possibility of a grammar as she came very close, but it would only be on appeal and again, only if Bullers Wood doesn't work out. Harris was on our list from the start (that is, the one we submitted by 31 Oct), but as a couple of grammars have now dropped off, it is closer to the top than it was. Hence, trying to find out about it now, which I probably should have done back in October.

I agree about a long commute being less than ideal - it is good to have your friends close for one thing.