| Harris Academy Peckham | |
| Coordinates: | 51.4727°N -0.0742°W |
| Motto: | Per aspera ad astra ("To the stars through difficulty") |
| Established: | 2003 |
| Head Label: | Principal |
| Head: | Claudette Bergin |
| Specialist: | Business & Enterprise, ICT, Performing Arts |
| Address: | 112 Peckham Road |
| Country: | England, UK |
| Postcode: | SE15 5DZ |
| Ofsted: | yes |
| Urn: | 134225 |
| Lower Age: | 11 |
| Upper Age: | 16 |
| Houses: | Red Blue Yellow Green Academy College |
| Colours: | Navy Blue & Light Blue |
| Website: | http://www.harrispeckham.org.uk |
Harris Academy Peckham (also known as the Academy at Peckham and Peckham Academy) is a coeducational academy in Peckham, in the London Borough of Southwark. Catering for pupils from the ages of 11 to 16, the school specialises in the curriculum areas of Business and Enterprise, ICT, and the Performing Arts.
The school was formerly named Warwick Park, but unsatisfactory test results and constant pupil misconduct led to its being given an overhaul and renamed The Academy at Peckham. The buildings were refurbished and the school was given better resources. After this, the school gradually began to improve. In 2007, the school was renamed again, to become The Harris Academy at Peckham (now Harris Academy Peckham) following the receipt of funding from Lord Harris of Peckham. This also resulted in a change of the school logo and uniform to reflect its place in the Harris Federation. This switchover occurred in late 2013.
An Ofsted report on the school, issued in September 2009, claimed that the school was "good" and was "improving rapidly". Catherine Loxton was instated as permanent principal of the school in October 2009. From the Autumn term of 2013 Mr Rob Hunter, coming from Harris Academy Merton, took over the role of principal. The current Principal is now Claudette Bergin, she secured the position in 2020. The school was rated 'good' by Ofsted in 2019.[1]
The school offers a range of subjects. The compulsory subjects are as follows:
| Years 7-9 | Years 10-11 |
|---|---|
| English | English |
| Maths | Maths |
| Sciences | Sciences |
| Citizenship | Optional |
| 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 |
Students 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.
The school has a music and drama department, puts theatrical performances, including an annual school performance and occasional performances at other venues (including the Royal Opera House). The drama department also has connections with Peckham Shed. There is also an annual musical soiree held and organised by music students.
The school has many sports teams, including its own teams for football, basketball, rugby, badminton, and cricket. Many students also belong to local sports teams. The school also has a team of cheerleaders, who perform at the annual Harris Federation Sports Day and at other major sporting events.