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14/02/25

Read the book, complete the quiz and enjoy the reward! pic.twitter.com/Mczlw3rU1S

14/02/25

This is now taking place on Thursday 27th February 4.30 - 6.30

13/02/25

Our fabulous governor, Richard Hughes, led his third week of filmmaking workshops with Harris Sixth Formers from Orpington and Bromley. The students handled a professional film camera and learnt scripting & narrative techniques used in documentary filmmaking pic.twitter.com/rgdS0IVLke

13/02/25

Earn a wage, gain experience and get qualified - all at the same time! ✅ From GCSEs to master's degrees, there's an apprenticeship for everyone. Start your journey at https://t.co/1uoO3OEe4c#NAW2025 pic.twitter.com/uJqJgkCSUO

12/02/25

🚨 1 DAY TO GO! 🚨 Thinking about an apprenticeship? Got questions about applying, finding the right one, or what it’s really like? 🤔 Join us LIVE on TikTok tomorrow from 16:30 (UK) as a UCAS expert & apprentice answer your questions💬 Sign up here: https://t.co/OQN55A0N6N pic.twitter.com/52hqjLMHtE

12/02/25

Do you know an inspiring new teacher? Zac Moxon, one of our judges, shares what makes a great entry for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year. Celebrate the difference they're making in your school community by nominating today: https://t.co/9k7eL9mvGv pic.twitter.com/zhIY7OjFni

12/02/25

Looking for some new kit? Got an expedition coming up and not sure what to pack? 🤔 We can help with that! Check out our DofE Expedition Kit Guide! It’s packed full of useful information and is aimed at helping participants and parents to choose and then find the right kit for… pic.twitter.com/qmlurIH8Oj

11/02/25

It’s in England! We’re celebrating the positive impact apprenticeships have on young people – especially if you do your DofE as an apprentice! ✅ We work with lots of organisations to offer DofE Business to their staff as part of early careers… pic.twitter.com/kMKDuVHhhI

11/02/25

Half term is from Monday 14th February to Friday the 21st February 2025. We hope you enjoy the break and are refreshed for next half term when school is open again on 24th February. pic.twitter.com/QcwaFvJcDQ

10/02/25

Round two of our amazing 'The Globe Players', this time performing Romeo and Juliet to kick start our Year 9 study of the play. pic.twitter.com/57alJnMCvA

10/02/25

Year 11 are having an immersive English experience revising for their exams. The fantastic Globe Players performing ‘An Inspector Calls’, bringing the play to life and revising the key quotes! An amazing performance! pic.twitter.com/FBuDCfkKZI

06/02/25

Come and speak with us at the Recruitment Fair this Saturday 8 February in Central London. We are looking forward to meeting with talented educators as well as those looking to start their careers in teaching. Register your interest here: https://t.co/8XZOQygomf pic.twitter.com/v7ALtr3aZM

06/02/25

A reminder that 14th February 2025 is a staff training day and that the school is closed to students, with exception to those in Year 11 who have been invited in for masterclasses. pic.twitter.com/qNjcgJK7Wx

06/02/25

A huge thankyou to Carol Pinnock from for delivering a fantastic assembly to Year 10 on the topic of 'Self-esteem and Healthy relationships'.#Childrensmentalhealthweek pic.twitter.com/zlfXWxlj5c

06/02/25

HAO hosted it's annual Careers fair on 31st January. Years 9-13 had the opportunity talk to many experts in their fields about the different career pathways open to them. Thank you to all of our guests that attended.https://t.co/LXsiWb071u pic.twitter.com/psLSadEDs4

28/01/25

There has been a date change for upcoming parent and carer evenings, so please be mindful of the below: Year 8 is now on Thursday 6th February 2025. Year 9 is now on Thursday 20th March 2025.#HAOSaveTheDate pic.twitter.com/CTJf7EPHXO

20/01/25

Congratulations to our Y11 football team! On Friday they had a 4-1 win against . Great teams and a great match had by all.

20/01/25

So many students attended the Principals Breakfast last week for 100% attendance. Well done to all! pic.twitter.com/SVCSbxwQ7E

05/12/24

Apologies to our visitors as this event has been postponed to the 27th February 2025.

02/12/24

A huge thank you to Mr McFarlane, for visiting HAO today to discuss options with our Year 11, 12 and 13 students. pic.twitter.com/Js4DUZTsrk

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% 

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.