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17/09/25

- A reminder of our upcoming Open Events at HAO starting next week for both Y7 and Y12. shorturl.at/XzULx

12/09/25

Please see the sport enrichment and clubs being run this term at HAO. There is a mix of lunchtime and after-school activities that students are welcome to attended. We are hoping to expand our propgramme and offer more clubs in the near future and will keep you updated

12/09/25

Get Involved!

12/09/25

The start of term is well and truly underway with all year groups having now completed their first full week back. It has been great to welcome our new Y7 cohort and some new faces to our staff team this September.

03/09/25

- A quick reminder of our upcoming Open Events at HAO this September for both Y7 and Y12. shorturl.at/XzULx

21/08/25

Mr Carey said: “This is another fantastic set of GCSE results for HAO, reflecting the tremendous efforts of both our students and the staff who have supported them... we are excited to see all that they go on to achieve in their futures.”

21/08/25

A massive congratulation to our 2025 Y11 cohort who received their results today. HAO saw another fantastic set of results, with an increase from last year in the number of students achieving a 5 or above in both Maths and English. shorturl.at/Yhyyi 

19/08/25

With GCSE Results day this week, don't forget you can also directly enrol into our amazing Sixth Form! Wishing all students on Thursday the best of luck!

19/08/25

Mr Carey said: "Congratulations to all our students on their very well-deserved results which reflect the unwavering commitment of students and staff to academic excellence... I am so pleased that so many are now able to take up places on their university courses of choice".

19/08/25

On Thursday 14th August 2025, the HAO Y13 students celebrated a well deserved set of Results! Congratulations to all! shorturl.at/0aTzO

15/08/25

- HAO Open Events

31/07/25

Whilst the Careers Team supported Y10 in uncovering a range of diverse career pathways. Each event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with industry professionals, discover different career fields, and gain insight into the skills and qualifications needed for success.

31/07/25

As we relax into the second week of the summer break, we reflect on the last week of term. Thank you to the PE department for organising a fantastic HAO Sports Day on the last day of term. It was a brilliant way to wrap up the year!

27/07/25

As we look at our displays for the new academic year, we found this lovely acknowledgment from those that did the mini marathon, as part of the onsite contribution this year.

17/07/25

🌞 Even in this warmer season -  with our shirt sleeve order helping all to feel a little cooler in the heat - our incredible staff and  students have been busy sorting generous donations. Keep an eye out for a notice going out tomorrow on how to collect items from the school

17/07/25

We’d also like to extend our deepest thanks to  for their generous donation of hygiene products for our students. Your kindness and support are truly appreciated!  

17/07/25

Congratulations to Jackson! We are excited and proud to announce that Jackson has officially signed his professional contract with Wycombe FC. He will continue to complete his CTECH Sport Diploma in this next academic year at HAO.  

17/07/25

- HAO Open Events for both Y7 and Y12.

11/07/25

Taking in the language, culture and their fair share of the French cuisine (yummy), students and staff had a brilliant few day taking in the sites, with wonderful staff like Mr Koubaa, Ms Austin, Ms Gatton and Mr Conboy.

11/07/25

This week has been a great week for some, who had the chance to explore France for a few days. Though the journey back was a late one - it was a great trip!

Harris Academies
All Academies in our Federation aim to transform the lives of the students they serve by bringing about rapid improvement in examination results, personal development and aspiration.

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Careers

The world has changed greatly in the past 20 years with many people working in jobs today that simply didn’t exist when their parents left education. That’s why students today need careers advice that will enable them to be ready for the opportunities and challenges of working life.

Our Careers and Education Guidance Policy and Provider Access Policy can both be downloaded from our Teaching and Learning page. Our Careers Leader is Mark Brockwell who can be contacted at m.brockwell@harrisorpington.org.uk or on 01689 819 219. Our Careers Adviser is Lesley Tannock who can be contacted at lesley.tannock@harrisfederation.org.uk

  • A varied careers section is available within the school library. All students have the opportunity to visit the library and access the books. · An academy-wide PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) programme is delivered to all students. This covers career choices and pathways, financial guidance (salaries and income), employment rights and careers for the future.
  • Year 10 students take part in group career meetings before their one-to-one meetings in Year 11. Students are instructed to start considering their next steps in preparation for their GCSE exam year.
  • Year 11 students have one-to-one meetings with senior leaders, who support and guide their progression into Key Stage 5.
  • A-Level and Vocational Qualification Taster Days are available in all subjects to Year 11 students. · The Harris Careers Education page can be accessed here.
  • All students attend a careers fair held in the school, this year it will be in the form of a Virtual Careers Fair.
  • All Years 11, 12 and 13 students attend an external careers fair.

Year 12 students have one-to-one meetings with senior staff to support and guide their future decisions.

Destinations

Destination data for Year 11 and Year 13 is shown below.

Year 11 

Apprenticeship 

6th Form College 

School 

NEET 

Other 

2021-22 

 8.3% 

51.7% 

37.5% 

0 

2.5% 

2022-23 

9.7% 

66.4% 

19.5% 

2.6% 

1.8% 

2023-24 

1.7%

65.3%

31.4%

0.8%

0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 13 

University 

Apprenticeship 

Employment 

Training

Other 

2021-22 

54.5% 

9.1% 

18.20%

9.1 

9.1% 

2022-23 

40.7%

13.6% 

27.1% 

4% 

13.6% 

2023-24 

56.5%

 8.1%

19.40%

3.2 %

 12.9%

 

Careers Programme

Please see the link to the Careers Programme.

Provider Access Legislation /Baker clause

This policy statement sets out our arrangements for managing the access of providers to students at the Academy from Year 7 through to Year 13, for the purpose of giving them information on a wide range of education and training providers both academic and vocational. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

In line with the Baker Clause updated legislation, our academy gives students access to other FE colleges and training providers from Years 7- 13 to discuss non-academic routes that are available; this includes main Federation events such as Next Steps, where colleges and training providers are encouraged to attend, as well as academy initiatives guided by the careers link and the careers adviser.

  • The Academy will ensure that students receive at least two encounters during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend.
  • The Academy will ensure that students receive at least two encounters during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend.
  • The Academy ensure that students receive at least two encounters during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are optional for pupils to attend. In addition to this, the dedicated Harris Careers website outlines all of the Post 16 options. Students also have individual and guided access to Unifrog from Year 7 which offers additional impartial information. This outlines all educational routes that they may wish to consider.

National Careers Week

Please see the links here to:

Useful websites

The following websites can help you to look at the different careers that are available.

  • The National Careers Service website has over 700 career profiles providing information on the skills and qualifications required.
  • Careers Box is a free online library of careers-related films. Case studies show real people doing real jobs.
  • Start is a free online careers platform to connect 11-18-year-olds with their future career potential.
  • Prospects give detailed job information and links to advice on writing CVs and cover letters.
  • icould offers first-hand information about careers, including videos, as well as labour market information.
  • LMI for All is an online data portal, which connects and standardises labour market information (LMI) with the aim of informing career decisions.
  • Careerpilot is an expert careers information site with tools for 11-19 year-olds, all in one place.

Other Careers Services

  • Year 11 Academic and Personal References are completed by faculty directors.
  • Details of student destinations after leaving Harris Academy Orpington are kept on file. Interviews and support is made available for those without confirmed progression routes. This support continues until students have a confirmed progression route post results.
  • Support with GCSE and Post 16 options processes.
  • Orpington Experience visits to universities.
  • Visiting speakers are arranged through the Orpington Experience programme.
  • Next Steps meetings for Years 11 and 13 are being held online.