View our posts

07/07/25

Congratulations to our 2025/2026 prefects: Red tie Maths and Commerce Faculty Blue tie Communication Faculty Yellow tie Science and Technology Faculty Green tie Arts Faculty pic.twitter.com/iHflRbvPCX

28/06/25

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 London ✈️ Madrid 🇪🇸 We’ve taken a very lucky and excited group of Year 7 boys from our partner Harris Federation site Harris City Academy Crystal Palace to Spain to participate in the Copa Alma 2025! 🤩 The tournament hosted by the Real Madrid Foundation will take place… pic.twitter.com/B6OuJ2MT7h

27/06/25

Harris Federation Named Trust of the Year at TES Schools Awards - Harris Highlights - Harris Federation... https://t.co/AuD4PU4TXK

23/06/25

We 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 pic.twitter.com/WOAgheUXZO

20/06/25

140 students set out for Ypres, Belgium yesterday morning to spend the day in the World War One Battlefields. pic.twitter.com/SKEEz7fIhK

19/06/25

We 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 . Tickets cost £6 pic.twitter.com/lqfnBQzKUM

31/03/25

Last 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 and for the opportunity! pic.twitter.com/ePxu35HH0L

28/03/25

Another professional performance from the U16 boys basketball team sees them through to the National Schools semi final. pic.twitter.com/ET9Nqj5wiI

28/03/25

It was not to be for the U17 girls in the National final. Terrific experience for the girls who gave it their all. pic.twitter.com/c9gcIXblkO

22/03/25

Congratulations to the U16 boys team on their win last night. They are now through to the last 8 of the National Schools competition. pic.twitter.com/kmpBfDrTo7

14/03/25

Congratulations to our Year 7 boys' athletic team! A fantastic achievement! https://t.co/msdqouEH3R

14/03/25

Year 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. pic.twitter.com/yL5pjOa59f

14/03/25

Congratulations to our new Year 10 prefects on their induction this week! pic.twitter.com/PCGvSZq4Mt

08/03/25

Happy 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

07/03/25

Congratulations to our HCACP community for all their contributions to the food bank. pic.twitter.com/1qEpslitew

07/03/25

We had the fantastic 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 pic.twitter.com/jyFYc1a6Io

06/03/25

Last 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. pic.twitter.com/hlwqdDOJN9

06/03/25

Congratulations to everyone who donated to HCACP food bank! A worth cause! pic.twitter.com/AnQSNJjxc3

06/03/25

Last month we celebrated Chinese New Year and the year of the snake with interactive workshops, quizzes, and a performance. pic.twitter.com/y6M9swuvz2

06/03/25

Happy World Book Day! Teachers dressed up to celebrate some of our favourite books. The English team also organised a variety of activities, from poetry competitions, to 'Frankenstein' treasure hunt, to memory lane book wall... plus much more. pic.twitter.com/xqsIcCjOHK

Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

Central Office

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Clapham

Croydon

Greenwich

Haringey

Havering

Merton

Newham

Southwark

Stratford

Sutton

Thurrock

Wandsworth

Westminster

Alumni Stories

Alumni story: Dr. Shko Resool

Academy: Harris City Academy Crystal Palace     

Current role: Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr ResolDr. Shko Resool attended Harris City Academy Crystal Palace from 2002 to 2007 and is now a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. His journey to medical school and beyond was challenging, but his determination and the support he received along the way were key to his success.

When Shko started medical school, many of his peers came from prestigious backgrounds, which initially made him feel at a disadvantage. However, he soon realised that everyone was on the same level. "It doesn’t matter if you don’t come from a medical background- you can still do it," he says.

Growing up in South London, Shko had no family history in medicine. But the support he received at Harris gave him the confidence to prove himself. He credits the school's strong teacher-student relationships and understanding of how students learn for his success.

To the teachers who supported him, Shko says, “Thank you for all your hard work. I wouldn’t be here without your belief in me.”

Shko’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and the right support in achieving your goals.


Alumni story: David Gayle

Academy: Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

Current role: Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University

Aumni 2Tell us a bit about your background... 

I’m David.  I’m currently pursuing the Master in Public Policy (MPP) program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Before making the leap to study in the U.S., I spent over five years at the Bank of England, working on climate-related financial risks. Outside of my work, I am an active member of the music team at my local church. 

What path did you take after school? 

After finishing my undergraduate degree at University College London, I undertook my first role at the Bank of England. I pivoted into climate finance after studying for the MPhil. Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge during a career break in 2020. It was at Cambridge that I really sharpened my understanding of global environmental challenges and developed a deeper interest in the role policy can play in addressing them. 

After returning to the Bank of England, I took on various roles focused on climate and nature-related risks. One of my proudest moments was leading macro-financial work as part of the Bank's contributions to the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). Alongside my core role, I was a member of the Steering Group for the Bank’s exhibition of its role in the transatlantic slave trade.  

What motivates and inspires you? 

I’m inspired by the power of public policy - when done right, it can change lives, safeguard our planet, and address social inequalities. Being part of those solutions, however big or small, keeps me motivated. In the future I want to use my policy knowledge as a platform for improving the lives of those in my community. 

What are your current plans? 

Right now, I’m fully immersed in my studies at Harvard. It’s been an incredible experience learning alongside my peers from all over the world, and particularly in the Harvard Center for Public Leadership where I hold a Fellowship. The topics I’m focusing on include racial equity, policy, and UK democracy. I look forward to bringing what I learn back to the UK when I return. 

Do you have any advice for current students? 

Though my ambition has been consistent, I never expected to be on the path that I am now on. Be curious, stay open-minded, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The most meaningful experiences often when you take a risk or pursue something unexpected, even if you think your goals are outlandish. Continue to ask the question: “Why not me?” and surround yourself with people who challenge you.


Alumni story: Simone Lisk

Academy: Harris City Academy Crystal Palace                                       

Simone LiskCurrent role: Communications Manager

Tell us a bit about your background.

I went to Harris City Academy Crystal Palace before heading to Heriot-Watt University, where I achieved a First Class Honours in Accountancy and Business Law. University was where I really found my passion for communications and business, and it's shaped the career path I've followed ever since. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work in various roles, from managing service delivery at Fujitsu to now overseeing communications at Informa Markets.

What path did you take after school?

After finishing university, I joined Fujitsu as a Graduate Service Delivery Manager. It was a great start to my career, where I handled multiple accounts, worked closely with senior management, and learned the ins and outs of service delivery and project management. Over time, I moved into internal communications and spent time as an Internal Communications Manager for Northern and Western Europe. Now, I’m with Informa Markets, where I’m helping to shape the company’s communications strategies and keep everyone on the same page, blending my creative skills with my strategic skills.

What motivates and inspires you?

I’m really passionate about making communication clear and effective. Whether I’m working with teams internally or mentoring students at a local school, I love helping people connect and get things done. I’m also an active member of Informa’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion community, where I lead a colleague-run network aimed at supporting career development across the business. Helping others grow and succeed always motivates me to keep pushing forward.

What are your current plans?

Right now, I’m focused on refining how we communicate at Informa Markets, looking for ways to improve both internal and external messaging. I’m excited to keep working on strategic communications and, hopefully, take on more leadership roles in the future. Alongside that, I want to continue supporting mentoring and CSR initiatives wherever I can.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Get involved in everything you can—internships, volunteering, networking—because it’s all about the experiences you collect. Take risks, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn about what you truly want to do. Always stay open to building connections, those relationships will help you go far.


Alumni story: Zoe Sherwood

Zoe SherwoodAcademy: Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

Current role: Artist, designer and entrepreneur (www.zoesherwood.co.uk)

Tell us a bit about your background…

I grew up in London in a creative household. My mum was a seamstress, and my dad had a passion for graphic design. That love for making things was always in me, and at Harris Academy Crystal Palace, I found the confidence to pursue it.

What path did you take after school?

I studied Womenswear Design at Central Saint Martins and, while freelancing for Diane von Fürstenberg (DVF), launched my own accessory brand with support from Liberty London. Over the past 14 years, I’ve worked in fashion, theatre, film, and collaborated with brands like Puma Black Label. My work first appeared at London Fashion Week in 2015, and today, you can find my designs in Selfridges, Tate Modern Shops, and boutiques in Japan and the US.

What motivates and inspires you?

I love storytelling and the power of words. My brand is built around the word ‘Me’, a reminder of self-love and confidence. My work is designed to look beautiful but also start conversations. I’ve since expanded into words like ‘You,’ ‘Love,’ ‘Peace,’ and ‘Hope.’ Sustainability also drives me. My ‘Save Earth’ collection uses 3D-printed material made from 100% recycled fishing nets.

What are your current plans?

I’m continuing to grow my brand, collaborate with creatives, and push the boundaries of fashion and storytelling. Every piece I make is about more than just design, it’s about meaning and impact.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Stay true to yourself. The creative world is competitive, but if you believe in your vision and work hard, you’ll find your place. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, put yourself out there, and take risks. Most of all, try to enjoy the journey along the way. Every experience shapes who you become.