THE RIVER MAGAZINE | Spring 2018 35 HARRIS ACADEMY SOUTH NORWOOD Cumberlow Avenue South Norwood SE25 6AE t: 020 8405 5070 e: admissionsh@harrissouthnorwood.org.uk w: harrissouthnorwood.org.uk Twitter: @HASN_NEWS about applying for higher education, application forms, entry qualifications and career prospects. There is also vocational advice on applications, CVs and interviews. And the success of the sixth form in matching talent to opportunities was acknowledged in an Ofsted report last autumn, which confirmed the school’s “outstanding”status once more. Around 400 sixth-form students are based over two sites at South and Upper Norwood, which is seen as a hugely- positive factor. At a time when a lot of sixth forms across the country are shutting down or cutting subjects, the two sites offer a range of A-levels. The academy has a blended curriculum of A-levels and vocational qualifications. Mathematics, Further Mathematics, all the Sciences are offered as well as vocational/A-level courses relevant to the world of business and commerce – for example, Accounting, Economics, ICT and Business. These are complemented by a wider range of courses including modern foreign languages. Another key factor in the school’s success is that the 2 campuses are part of the Harris Federation, the most successful Academies Trust in England. This brings huge benefits, such as pooled expertise among teaching staff and a wider range of subjects on offer. Not surprisingly, the 2017 exam results across the Harris Federation were the best ever. Its A*/A grades rose from 12% to 17% with an average grade of Distinction* in vocational qualifications. Recent university destinations include Sheffield, Bristol, Warwick, Leeds and Southampton. At the same time, students entered into exciting apprenticeships at TfL and Microsoft. Sixth-form life is balanced with clubs, societies, trips and social events throughout the year. There are big sports connections, too. The school works in partnership with Crystal Palace FC via the club’s Palace for Life Foundation. Its Football Academy programme provides the opportunity for sixth form students to develop their skills and learn about the game while studying full time. Foundation coaches deliver the syllabus, involving tactical, technical, psychological and physical attributes from which the sixth-formers gain valuable football experience. The teams compete in the National Football Under-19s Youth League and the National Colleges League. “the success was acknowledged in an Ofsted report which confirmed the school’s “outstanding” status Another very positive factor is the good travel links, even for students from adjoining boroughs. The school is well served with bus routes: the 410, 75, 196, 312, 130, 157, 197 and 312 serve the South site, while 468, 196, 249 and 450 serve the Upper site. On rail links, trains from London Bridge (just a 12 minute journey) and Victoria go through the nearby Norwood Junction and from East Croydon. Good travel links Wide choice of courses match student talents