Harris Academy Clapham
Academy Information
- 33 Clarence Avenue, London, SW4 8LD Get Directions
- 0204 513 9350
- info@harrisclapham.org.uk
- https://www.harrisclapham.org.uk
Academy Ethos
We believe that education is the key to social mobility. We pride ourselves on ensuring students achieve excellent academic outcomes and develop as individuals who become active citizens themselves.
In practice, we achieve this by delivering a broad, balanced, ambitious and innovative Curriculum which challenges students to think critically. The delivery of our exceptional curriculum is carefully planned and research informed.
We are passionate about developing teacher pedagogy and proudly place professional development and career planning at our core. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
Our location
Harris Clapham is located in the heart of the London Borough of Lambeth, with high-demand for enrollment. We have an incredibly modern school building, equipped with the latest interactive technology in every classroom. The Academy is ideally located close to the vibrant shops, cafés and restaurants of Abbeville Village, with both Clapham High Street and Brixton nearby.
Transport links are excellent, with Clapham Common Station and Clapham High Street less than 15-minute walk from the Academy, or an even shorter bus journey. Many of our staff live in the local area or commute from across London using the North Line and Windrush line.
Our Benefits
We know our success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our teams. No matter what your role, by joining the Harris Clapham, you will be making a difference to young people and in recognition of this, you will be able to enjoy the tangible and intangible benefits of working at Harris.
In addition to the Harris benefits, we go the extra mile in protecting the wellbeing and work-life balance of our staff. As a member of our team, you will benefit from:
- Wellbeing support in line with the DFE Wellbeing Charter.
- In-house therapeutic support to ensure staff have quick access to resources dedicated to their wellness
- Early finish on a Friday
- Two-week October half-term
- Regular dialogue about workload and how to manage it effectively
- No-email policy between hours of 19:00 and 7:00
- No more than 90 minutes of meetings in a week
- A meeting-free week every half-term
- Protected time for examiners
- Paid examiners
- Free private healthcare plan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Leave for your unavoidable medical appointments are fully paid
- Free tea and coffee in the staffroom, plus free lunch and refreshments on INSET days
- Internal promotion and progression opportunities
- Staff CPD breakfasts
- Instructional coaching
- CPD planned for the term a year in advance
- ECT programme through the NioT
- Harris subject networks and conferences
- Coaching culture – we have a number of staff with coaching accreditations
- Regular and sensible performance management – working with you
- Focus on effective outcomes rather than time spent
- Clear communication and manageable deadlines
- High-quality staff induction programme
- Regular recognition and celebration of staff excellence
- On-site IT technician offering full time tech support
- Weekly time set aside for planning & preparation as department teams
- Only two assessment entry points per year (to reduce administration workload)
- Manageable and flexible lesson planning expectations
- ‘Live-marking’ policy and whole-class feedback to reduce workload
- Additional time for leadership responsibilities
- Teachers are not required to do lunch duty, but if you opt to, you’ll receive a free lunch
- Pastoral manager for each year group who does not teach and focuses on student issues
- Rapid and effective support with any student behavioural issues arising
- All SLT teach, including the Principal
- Centralised detentions sat by SLT
- Low-stakes lesson observation (not graded)
- Learning walks in place of formal lesson observation (not graded)
- Unique modern buildings (e.g. newly built, light-enhancing, well-equipped)
Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to encouraging and sustaining a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, and an excellent teaching and learning experience for our young people. As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and ensure that everyone is equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come together from all backgrounds and walks of life, to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
Career Development
We embrace a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, putting career progression opportunities to the forefront. Many of the wider leadership team have been internally promoted, and we have a track record of retaining trainees and moving them onto middle leadership positions. Staff know that ambition at HACL is something to be celebrated and we invest time and resources in ensuring all staff feel that they are growing and always developing.
We have a culture of learning across the staff body, ensuring everything we do is research and evidence based to maximise the effectiveness of our time. All staff are supported to complete NPQs and have the opportunity to be selected for a Lead Practitioner role. All middle and senior leaders meet regularly for extended leadership CPD, which has included completing the content of the NPQSL together as a team and participating in an external coaching programme.