Drapers' Academy

We are making key strides towards creating an academy which makes a significant difference to the community we serve and that provides opportunities for all our pupils and students.

At Drapers’ Academy we pride ourselves on our high standards. Pupils are expected to work hard, support their peers, wear full Academy uniform and maintain good records of attendance and punctuality. These high standards combined with the excellent learning environment provide the foundations for pupils and students of the Academy to gain an outstanding education.

The Academy is at the heart of the Harold Hill community, offering families an excellent education, fantastic opportunities, and facilities that are available to everyone.

We want everyone involved with Drapers' Academy to feel that they are part of something inspirational; to be proud of the achievements of individual pupils and of our collective successes. Our aim is to be recognised as a centre of excellence where learning is fun and high standards are achieved.

We believe that success is achieved through broadening perspective and raising aspirations. By this, we mean that our pupils need to understand the opportunities that are available to them and to believe that they can achieve success in whatever they decide to work towards.

We believe that an academic grounding is the foundation for success in any career, even those that are not dependent on academic achievement. This is because literacy, numeracy, and an understanding of science and the humanities provide self-confidence and the ability to engage with others. They also increase the access to opportunities in life and help create options and choice.

We believe that low expectations lead to low performance and that being adequate is not an acceptable standard. Every child and every member of staff should be challenged to aim above the expected standard in whatever they do.

We believe in a broad education, and all that implies in terms of access to sport, music, drama, the arts and access to foreign languages and culture.

We believe that good manners and good behaviour create respect – both for oneself and for other people. Without such respect it is impossible to engage in and contribute to society.

We believe that success in any field – academic, sporting, the arts etc. - requires hard work and that discipline is necessary to support that hard work. The best discipline is that which is self-imposed, but we also expect pupils and staff to follow this Code and the policies and procedures that support it.

We believe that everyone has a potential for success and it is our job to help realise that potential. This means that we don’t give up on any pupil, even if their attitude or behaviour makes it difficult for us.

We believe that we will succeed by attracting, retaining and growing the best staff. We believe that all staff deserve respect and to be able to work in a secure and rewarding environment.

We believe that parents play the key role in any child’s education and that we will only be successful if we have parental support and engagement. This in turn requires agreed goals, shared responsibility and clear communication.

We believe that our long-term success is dependent on the support of the local community. This is because our pupils need to see that their success is valued and respected by the community. We will therefore engage with local community representatives to ensure that there is clear communication and that, where practicable, the community has access to the school’s resources.