Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich

Inspection of Harris Girls’ Academy East Dulwich Homestall Road, London SE22 0NR

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Sixth-form provision Outstanding Previous inspection grade Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The principal of this academy is Jo Young. This school is part of the Harris Federation, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Sir Daniel Moynihan, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Lord Harris of Peckham.

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Until November 2020, the school was exempt from routine inspection because it was judged as outstanding at its previous inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. The school has not been inspected under section 5 of the Act since March 2012. 5 and 6 December 2023

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this exceptional school. They are polite, confident and hard working. Working relationships between staff and pupils are extremely positive. Staff know their pupils very well and, as a result, pupils are safe and happy in school.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They are determined that all pupils will excel. As a result, all pupils in the school achieve extremely well.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Behaviour in the school is very positive. During lessons, pupils are focused, enthusiastic and committed to their learning. They are proud of their school community and support each other well. Pastoral support in the school is extremely strong. Pupils have a broad range of staff to help them if required. This includes making appointments at the school ‘health hut’.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils have access to a wide range of extra opportunities in the school. All pupils in the lower school learn a musical instrument. They can also access a variety of clubs, including poetry and cooking. The school provides pupils with a range of sports teams. In the sixth form, all students take part in weekly enrichment opportunities. These include various sporting activities, a law society and first-aid training.

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better?

Leaders have developed a highly ambitious curriculum. This includes extremely strong support for pupils with SEND. The curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils develop their subject-specific knowledge and skills very effectively.

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better?

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information very clearly. Extremely effective adaptations are made to ensure that pupils with SEND access the curriculum successfully. Teachers are highly skilled at checking pupils’ understanding and addressing any misconceptions swiftly.

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better?

Teachers have exceptionally high standards for the work that pupils produce. As a result, pupils’ work is consistently of a high standard. Pupils have a deep understanding of what they are learning. They confidently use subject-specific vocabulary and are able to apply their learning confidently.

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better?

The school swiftly identifies pupils who may struggle with reading. Staff identify pupils’ individual needs and put in place bespoke support quickly. This ensures pupils make rapid improvements to their reading fluency and confidence. Staff enable pupils in the school to develop a genuine love of reading. They read both academic texts and books for pleasure every week. The school has its own bookshop, which is run by pupils to help further develop an enthusiasm for reading.

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better?

Pupils’ attitudes to learning are extremely positive. Systems to support pupils’ behaviour are clear and applied consistently by staff. Leaders ensure that pupils’ 5 and 6 December 2023

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attendance is high. They communicate effectively with parents and have robust procedures in place to enable pupils to attend school regularly.

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Leaders have developed a carefully considered personal development programme. Pupils attend daily ‘coaching’ sessions where they learn how to keep themselves safe and healthy. Staff are extremely proficient at assessing pupils’ understanding during these sessions and put in place extra sessions if required.

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Pupils attend a broad range of outings each year. These are carefully designed to compliment the curriculum. They include visits to various museums, concerts and places of historical significance. The school also regularly welcomes external speakers and workshops. These include theatre groups and visits from an author and an artist.

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Leaders make sure that all pupils access high-quality careers advice and guidance. All pupils have the opportunity to attend work experience. A range of talks and workshops ensure that pupils are well informed about their future options. Students in the sixth form receive high-quality guidance to support their future education and employment.

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Leaders prioritise the health and welfare of their staff. They are conscious of the pressures of workload and explore strategies to minimise this where possible. Leaders have developed an exceptional professional development programme. This leads to sustained and continuous improvement in the quality of education. The governing body understands the strengths and priorities of the school and carries out its role effectively.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘ disadvantaged pupils ’ is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a 5 and 6 December 2023

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social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 5 and 6 December 2023

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sixth form

Dates of previous inspection 14 and 15 March 2012, under section 5 of the Education Act 2015

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Information about this school

 The school is part of the Harris Federation.  The school uses one alternative provider.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. 5 and 6 December 2023

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 Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.  This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with the principal, members of the senior leadership team and a range of staff. They also met with members of the governing body, board of trustees and a representative from the trust.  The inspectors carried out deep dives in the following subjects: art, physical education, English, science and history. For each deep dive, inspectors spoke to subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, discussed with pupils and looked at samples of pupils’ work. The curriculum in other subjects was also considered.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, the inspectors: reviewed the single

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central record; took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils; and considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors considered the views of parents, pupils and staff, including through responses to Ofsted’s online surveys.

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Inspection team

Simon Conway, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Sam Johnson His Majesty’s Inspector 5 and 6 December 2023

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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