Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

Welcome from the Principal

Harris City Academy Crystal Palace aims to provide high quality education and training for students of all abilities and backgrounds. We emphasise traditional standards of uniform, good manners, discipline and respect whilst providing a very relevant and modern education which will enable our students to succeed in the workplace and society of the twenty-first century.

Mr Rigby

23 June 2025@hcacpWe are delighted to share that following our Ofsted inspection in April, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace has been graded as 'Outstanding' in all categories.#allcanachieve #ofstedoutstanding@HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/WOAgheUXZO

20 June 2025@hcacp140 students set out for Ypres, Belgium yesterday morning to spend the day in the World War One Battlefields. #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/SKEEz7fIhK

19 June 2025@hcacpWe are delighted to announce that our talented musicians will be performing at the Harris Federation Festival of Music at Croydon Fairfield Halls on Wednesday 9th July @6pm. Tickets cost £6 @HarrisFedMusic @HarrisFed #allcanachieve pic.twitter.com/lqfnBQzKUM

19 June 2025Ofsted 'Outstanding' in Every Category 2025There were celebrations at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace after it was judged ‘outstanding’ in every category following an Ofsted inspection in early April 2025. Inspectors spent two days at the Academy towards the end of the Spring Term observing lessons, speaking to students and staff and looking at many aspects of the Academy’s provision. The inspectors were greatly impressed by what they saw and have given the Academy a highly positive report. Commenting that the Academy ‘gives pupils and students an education that is second to none’, inspectors praised the quality of its curriculum, the expertise of its teachers and the breadth of its enrichment offer. "Harris City Academy Crystal Palace gives pupils and students an education that is second to none." Ofsted 2025 The inspectors were very impressed by the Academy’s ‘aspirational curriculum’ and the way in which teachers take account of students’ individual needs so that they achieve ‘consistently excellent’ outcomes. Beyond the classroom, the inspectors commented on the Academy’s focus on students’ personal development and on the many opportunities for ‘promoting pupils’ all-round development’. The inspectors were particularly impressed by the Academy’s sporting achievements noting that it has won many local and national competitions. "The opportunities for learning are ‘endless’." Ofsted 2025 “We are very proud to have received such a positive report from the inspectors which rightly reflects our high academic standards as well as our focus on promoting students’ personal development," said Samuel Rigby, Principal of Harris City Academy Crystal Palace. "We are an ambitious school and it is heartening that the inspectors noticed the high aspirations we have for our students and how tirelessly our staff work to help them achieve their very best. “But most pleasing is the way the inspectors commented on how hard-working, polite and courteous our students are. We are very fortunate to have such fantastic students who display such positive attitudes to their learning and, importantly, support each other to succeed.” "Consistency runs through the school like the letters in a stick of rock. Cut that piece of rock anywhere and what you see is the school’s unwavering focus on giving pupils and students a consistently high-quality experience." Ofsted 2025 You can read the full report here. What Ofsted says... Here are some highlights from our 'Outstanding' Ofsted report. "Harris City Academy Crystal Palace gives pupils and students an education that is second to none. As pupils say, the opportunities for learning are ‘endless’." "The ambitious curriculum and the impressive array of trips and activities prepare pupils for the next stage of their lives extremely well." "The expertly designed curriculum enables pupils to excel in their learning.Its careful attention to providing an extensive and meaningful set of courses advances pupils’ knowledge and skills very successfully." "One phrase sums up the school’s excellence: consistently high quality. Consistency runs through the school like the letters in a stick of rock. Cut that piece of rock anywhere and what you see is the school’s unwavering focus on giving pupils and students a consistently high quality experience." "Staff expect the most of pupils. They are experts in their field and know just how to present information in a way that is relevant." "Across the school, including in the sixth form, teachers use their excellent subject knowledge to adapt their teaching to take account of pupils’ needs, including those of disadvantaged pupils." "The highest priority is placed on pupils’ personal development. The personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is, like subjects, designed and implemented effectively." You can read the full report here.

31 March 2025@hcacpLast week Year 11 went up to The Globe Theatre to see Macbeth which they will be writing about in their upcoming exams. It was a fantastic & engaging performance! Thank you @DeutscheBank and @TheGlobe for the opportunity! #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/ePxu35HH0L

28 March 2025@hcacpAnother professional performance from the @HCACP U16 boys basketball team sees them through to the @DYNAMIKsport @bballengland National Schools semi final. #2togo pic.twitter.com/ET9Nqj5wiI

28 March 2025@hcacpIt was not to be for the @HCACP U17 girls in the @DYNAMIKsport @bballengland National final. Terrific experience for the girls who gave it their all. #proud pic.twitter.com/c9gcIXblkO

22 March 2025@hcacpCongratulations to the @HCACP U16 boys team on their win last night. They are now through to the last 8 of the @DYNAMIKsport @bballengland National Schools competition. pic.twitter.com/kmpBfDrTo7

14 March 2025@hcacpCongratulations to our Year 7 boys' athletic team! A fantastic achievement! #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed https://t.co/msdqouEH3R

14 March 2025@hcacpYear 12 students completed their training as Antibullying Ambassadors through the Diana Award this week and are ready to take over from the fabulous job the Year 13 team have been doing. #Allcanachieve @DianaAward @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/yL5pjOa59f

14 March 2025@hcacpCongratulations to our new Year 10 prefects on their induction this week! #Allcanachieve #Studentleadership @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/PCGvSZq4Mt

11 March 2025Supporting Your Child's Mental Health - Free Webinars for ParentsThe Harris Federation School Mental Health Team is presenting a series of free 45 minute workshops for any parent/carer of a child in Y7-13 who would like to learn more about how to support their child with their mental health. If you have any queries regarding any of these webinars please email M.Amos@harriscrystalpalace.org.uk. Anxiety - webinar for parents For any parent/carer of a child in Y7-13 who is currently showing signs of anxiety (e.g. physical symptoms of anxiety [heart racing, shaking, stomach pain], avoiding certain things/places, asking for reassurance continuously, isolated/withdrawn etc.) or are concerned their child may develop these difficulties. There will be time to ask questions after the workshop ends so do stick around if you would like to take part. Click for dates and details. Low Mood - webinar for parents For any parent/carer of a child in Y7-13 who is currently showing signs of low mood (e.g. expressing sadness, tearfulness, loss of interest in usual activities, irritability, sleep difficulties etc.) or are concerned their child may develop these difficulties. There will be time to ask questions after the workshop ends so do stick around at the end if you would like to take part. Click for dates and details. Supporting Your Child Through GCSEs - webinar for parents For any parent/carer of a child in Y11 who would like tips for supporting their child through their GCSEs. The workshop will cover information about the process of GCSEs, how to support with study/revision and how to recognise and manage exam related emotional difficulties. There will be time to ask questions after the workshop ends so do stick around at the end if you would like to take part. Click for dates and details. Understanding Mental Health - webinar for parents For any parent/carer of a child in Y7-13 who would like to learn more about how to support their child with their mental health. The workshop will cover how we define mental health, signs of mental health difficulties in young people and what parents/carers can do to support positive mental health in their child. There will be time to ask questions after the workshop ends so do stick around at the end if you would like to take part. Click for dates and details.

8 March 2025@hcacpHappy International Women’s Day 💫 At Kinetic Foundation, we’re proud to recognise and empower our Kinetic Girls every single day 💛🖤 We’re also proud to be fully inclusive regardless of gender, ability, financial situation or ethnicity and can offer young people an education… pic.twitter.com/PATR8Y9UIV

7 March 2025@hcacpCongratulations to our HCACP community for all their contributions to the food bank. #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed #Raisingandgiving pic.twitter.com/1qEpslitew

7 March 2025@hcacpWe had the fantastic @smashedproject lead interactive sessions today providing knowledge, fostering social awareness & decision making skills around underage drinking. It was incredibly engaging; teachers & students were captivated from start to finish #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/jyFYc1a6Io

6 March 2025@hcacpLast Friday was Jamaica Day! We celebrated with patois quiz in the morning and information about the day. We had jerk wings for lunch and staff celebrated with our Jamaican teachers in the afternoon with Jamaican treats. #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed #nationaljamaicaday pic.twitter.com/hlwqdDOJN9

6 March 2025@hcacpCongratulations to everyone who donated to HCACP food bank! A worth cause! #Allcanachive @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/AnQSNJjxc3

6 March 2025@hcacpLast month we celebrated Chinese New Year and the year of the snake with interactive workshops, quizzes, and a performance. #Allcanachieve @HarrisFed pic.twitter.com/y6M9swuvz2

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