The Harris Group

Our academies are celebrating excellent GCSE results this. Headline results across the Harris Federation are:

• High attainment: our average Attainment 8 – calculated by totalling GCSE scores of students in 8 key subjects – is 50 (compared to 46.3 nationally and 49.8 at Harris in 2023);
• English and maths: 53% of our students got at least a Grade 5 in both English and maths (compared to 45% nationally and 50% at Harris in 2023);
• Good marks in challenging subjects: Our students’ average point score for subjects within the EBacc is 4.68 (compared to 4.05 nationally and 4.62 at Harris in 2023);
• More likely to achieve the best passes: 75% of GCSEs attained by our students were Grade 4 or better, 61% were Grade 5 or better and 26% were Grade 7 or better (all surpassing national levels in 2023).

Despite facing overwhelmingly more economic disadvantage than their peers nationally, Harris students are beating the odds – outperforming others better off than them across England and achieving significant academic success. This huge achievement reflects both the determination of our students and the professionalism of our staff.

Many of the students receiving results have overcome significant personal challenges to achieve excellent outcomes and we are proud of these children.  Their tenacity is reflected in this comment from a student at Harris Science Academy East London who, despite facing adversity which meant he missed time in school, still achieved nine Grade 9s and an 8:

“I started experiencing issues outside of school at the beginning of year 11, leading me to lose lots of crucial time to study. Yet, planning and being dedicated to doing well in my exams led me to achieve the grades I did today.”

Some of the many other highlights from across the Harris Federation are:

• Anya, a student at Harris Academy Chobham since she was five years old, was part of the Year 6 team that won the BBC’s Top Class quiz show – today she is celebrating eight Grade 9s and a Grade 8;
• Tom, a Year 10 from Harris Academy Falconwood who moved to the UK from China only recently and achieved nearly full marks across all three Maths papers to secure a Grade 9 a year early;
• Suleyman, who five years ago arrived at Harris Academy Rainham with little English and today found out he had achieved Grades 7, 8 and 9 in all his GCSEs.

We wish all our Year 11 students the very best for a great start to their sixth form education in September.