Harris Boys East Dulwich

[sarz]

Would love to no peoples views on the school. As not sure about it to put it mildly!!

Or should i say the pupils!

[SeanMacGabhann]

I think they teach spelllling rully bad.

Lee

[sunbob]

We live very nearby and all of the boys we have seen going in and out look very smart and seem to conduct themselves well on the way to and from school.

[ontheedge]

What exactly are you not sure about? I live nearby catch the 63 bus at 7 & see young boys actually running to get the bus, they look like they are eager to get school which says something, pass it by on the bus about 7.15 and see lots of happy looking kids sounds good to me.

[intexasatthe moment]

Does anyone have ,or know of anyone with a child at the school ?

Would be good to know what they think.

I was a bit dismayed to see just what constitutes a playground when I walked past it the other day .Seems such a shame that the pupils can't have a break in larger and more salubrious surroundings .

[BB100]

ontheedge Wrote:

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>I see young boys actually

> running to get the bus, they look like they are

> eager to get school which says something,

or more like terrified they will be late.......

[ontheedge]

As it's around 7.10am I see them really don't they're going to be late!

[tallgirl]

My friend's son goes there,

he is very happy, made many friends and has been making good progress in his grades. It wasn't one of his parent's top choices but now they are delighted that he got in there!

[BB100]

lol there's a group of them that live near me and they meet at 7:00 to get there at 7:30 to make sure they are not late for 8:15.

[intexasatthe moment]

they meet at 7:00 to get there at 7:30 to make sure they are not late for 8:15.

If that's really what's happening - rather than say meeting up before going to a breakfast club - that's insane .

[BB100]

They do get there for breakfast club but they go as it is zero tolerance on lateness.

[taper]

That sounds like a good thing to me.

Self-discipline innit

[yummumbums]

yes we have just been offered a place here any views from parents with pupils in the school would be greatly appreciated. It was our last choice as i didn't warm to the headmaster and didn't like the minimal outdoor space and the chanting of latin before each lesson!!! I would like to hear all the positive things!!!

[Ruth_Baldock]

LATIN? REALLY? Well, at least they'll all be in good stead to take on degrees in Law, in due course.

[BB100]

Who said kids worrying about being late was a negative? They run a very tight ship and they drum it into them right from the start that they can't be late.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/download/(id)/128319/(as)/135816_361501.pdf

There's a recent Ofsted report you can read.

[intexasatthe moment]

Comments from report re space are interesting ,especially the second comment which gives the impression that a rethink is under way regarding total numbers .

The space and facilities are attractive and of a high

quality although outside recreational space, while adequate for the current number of

students, is limited on the site.

and

Managers are rightly exploring what the future numbers

of students should be in view of the small site

If the space is adequate with only 2 years on site ,what will it be when the school has 11 years plus a sixth form ?

[samstopit]

If you search under Harris Boys school you will find a very long thread started by cn150 on 5th October 2010 which covers all of this ad nauseum.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I think chanting latin is inspirational! I might try to smuggle myself in dressed like Jeanette Krankie.

[intexasatthe moment]

Sorry to repeat old concerns - this has all been discussed before I know .

I just find the provision and development of secondary schools in this area of great interest .

[BB100]

Peckhamgatecrasher You definately won't get in dressed as Jeanette Krankie - strict rules on uniform apply and you'll get detention if your tie doesn't meet your waist.

[BB100]

yummumbums Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> yes we have just been offered a place here any

> views from parents with pupils in the school would

> be greatly appreciated. It was our last choice as

> i didn't warm to the headmaster and didn't like

> the minimal outdoor space and the chanting of

> latin before each lesson!!! I would like to hear

> all the positive things!!!

All the (middle-class) parents I know with children at the school are very happy with it, apart from one that moved theirs after the first day. I'm sure they will split the lunches to cope with the limited outdoor space and they do have an indoor gym, and seem to use outdoor space creatively such as providing basketball, table football and table tennis.

They have a two week timetable which seems to cram in a great variety of subjects and the extra long days include enrichment which is compulsory. Enrichment includes the extra sport and fun things like cooking, debating, etc. However enrichment can be suspended if children fall behind in their lessons to give extra coaching in that subject.

The school trips have been exciting such as sailing, orienteering, theatre to see STOMP and have been free to parents.

The issue with the school so far has not been the quality of education (and there's some brill teachers, esp. maths, english, science, PE, dance, drama) but with the strict discipline which they call 'traditionl standards'. Children are given detention for very minor offences (e.g. standing up at the wrong time) and there are specific requirements for uniform that are not overlooked. Tie has to reach the waist, shirt has to buttoned to the top, only Harris branded bag to be used, only Harris hat to be worn, etc (they don't want their kids walking the streets looking like thugs). Hair must be at least number 2 long and on the first day when they started any boy that turned up with it any shorter was in detention until it grew back.

If children don't do their homework they they will find themselves in compulsory homework clubs.

The boys do complain about how strict it is - it's a big shock after primary - but they do seem to get used to it and love all the exciting stuff they get to do.

For admission there's no gimmicks, schlorships, 10% selections, etc, just distance from school, period.

[intexasatthe moment]

well,and banding of course .

Though not the same system of banding that Kingsdale use.

[BB100]

Yeah, the banding is same as Aske's - they divide all entrants into 9 ability groups. Someone on one of the threads posted a link ages ago which suggested this is fairer than the 3 groupings that most schools use but I'm not sure how.

The Head (a Scot) went to Grammar school and seems to be trying to give a grammar experience. He has already turned around one failing school. He said he's aiming for a 100% GCSE pass rate otherwise he will see it as a personal failure.

I've been trying to think of other stuff the parents I know have told me, like they have industrial teaching kitchens to train boys as chefs and year 8s have already cooked for some elderly people in the community and they plan to offer trade skills like bricklaying on top of the academic stuff.

http://dulwichonview.org.uk/2010/02/05/harris-boys-academy-east-dulwich/

This link, that could seem lke propaganda, I'm assured by a Harris Boys parent is actually a very accurate picture of the school.

[intexasatthe moment]

If there's a banding expert around ,( or possibly just someone who understands numbers ,unlike me )it would be good to hear their views on banding .

I'm afraid I find it confusing .

I understand that Harris schools have a banding system based on national scores ,so obviously aimed at getting a school population that reflects national attainment .

Which maybe is not very different from Southwark's profile ?

But I think the middle bands in popular schools can be very hard to get into and you need to be living very near the school .

Sorry ,not adding anything to the debate here ,just expressing my confusion !

[kylie6097]

my son goes to his school and although i think they are a good school my son hates it, they are extremely strict.

i know of a few parents who are trying to move there kids out of there, i am also looking at moving my son. hes only in year 7 and he dreads going in. hes being picked on by a group of boys and the teachers have been told yet they dont seem to do anything about it.

there very quick to punish about silly little things like talking in line and forgetting homework yet boys get away with bullying and when my son faught back he got a 2 hour detention with 3 day isolation.

there morals seem good but underneath im not so sure. there too regimental. these boys were children 1-2 years ago my boy has grown up too quick and is afraid to do anything at school incase he gets in to trouble.

the detention bit and the isolations are my concerns because they are too quick to punish. my son was put into isolation a few days ago for being rude to another lad, THERE BOYS there going to be rude to one another.

well thats my opinion anyway. if you want to know more by all means pm me, please dont misread this i do think there a good school but i think they are extrememly strict now for some children thats needed but mine is very sensitive and it really doesnt suit him.