Harris Primary Academy Shortlands

At HPAS we believe all children can achieve excellence and that a quality primary education provides the platform for lifelong success. We are a diverse and thriving community with big ambitions. Partnership with parents and carers is at the centre of everything we do. Through regular newsletters, class assemblies, open mornings and celebration events, families and staff work hand in hand. Together, everyone achieves more.

Whatever a child’s background or starting point, we want to make sure that they finish Year 6 with the academic skills, social skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Every lesson at our school will be creative and there will be plenty of time for children to think, to play, to discover and wonder.

Each child will be taught in the way that suits them best and we will step in quickly if a change is needed. For some children, this might involve one-to-one support if they are finding something difficult and for others it could mean stretching them more to keep them interested.

Our school will be relaxed and comfortable but pupils will know that good behaviour is expected of them. They will be frequently praised and rewarded for trying their best and for being kind, hard-working and well-behaved.

We want the school to feel friendly and welcoming and will always make sure that every pupil has at least one friend. Our children will be taught to respect each other and their teachers. There will be a zero tolerance approach to any type of bullying.

The Academy is committed to the vital contribution all Governors and staff can make to safeguarding children. We will strive to make sure that every student in the Academy feels secure, well cared for, and able to reach their full potential.

We will ensure all our own staff, other professionals, parents/carers and students work together to know the rules about keeping children safe. They will understand the importance of following procedures and listening to each other, especially when there are concerns about safety. The Academy will work hard to reduce all the kinds of harm that children can suffer, including abuse, bullying, discrimination and avoidable injuries.