Careers - Harris Academy Orpington View our posts @haorpington 13/03/26 This week HAO proudly took part in National Science Week, embracing this year’s inspiring theme: “Curiosity – What’s Your Question?” We believe every great idea begins with a question. So we ask our whole community: What’s your question? @HarrisFed Video @haorpington 10/03/26 Image @haorpington 10/03/26 World Book Day took place last week, but as part of the fun activities throughout the week, students produced some great work. Below are a few examples from some of our talented students. @haorpington 10/03/26 This week HAO is celebrating Science Week, with this years theme ‘Curiosity - what’s you Question?’ Here are some of our staffs curious questions. @haorpington 06/03/26 On its way to becoming a yearly event, HAO students are once again taking part in the Mini London Marathon for schools, creating our own mini marathon in the last 2 weeks for the spring term. #WeRunTogether @haorpington 02/03/26 The new spring/summer term sports clubs go live this week. Make sure you sign up and bring the right kit to participate. @haorpington 16/02/26 As its half term, we didn’t want our students missing out on such a celebration, so incorporated it into our week. Thank you to @SchoolCatering @HarrisFed #LunarNewYear @haorpington 16/02/26 The catering team at HAO created an amazing range of foods for lunch last week to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which is tomorrow. @haorpington 12/02/26 🎓 Happy National School Governors’ Awareness Day! A huge thank you to all our dedicated school governors who give their time, expertise, and passion to support our schools and help every pupil thrive. Your commitment makes a real difference every day. #NSGAD #SchoolGovernors @haorpington 30/01/26 Event Reminder - Year 8 Parents Evening is next week. Students will have appointment sheets to book in the meetings. We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday. @haorpington 23/01/26 HAO is launching its attendance challenge  from Monday. What is the prize I hear you ask... the most improved year group will have a pizza party on the last day of this half term. Last time, Y10 were the winners. Lets see who comes out on top this time. @haorpington 16/01/26 What are you reading currently? Check out our recommendations. @haorpington 05/01/26 Event Reminder - Year 11 Parents Evening is this week. Students have already had their appointment sheets. We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday. @haorpington 15/12/25 Finally, a reminder: The last day of this term is 19/12/2025, and the Academy will close to all students at 12.45pm. Students will be allowed to wear their own clothes, including Christmas jumpers, and we ask all to bring a £1 donation that will go to our local charity. @haorpington 15/12/25 Whilst Y11 resume career discussions to support them in planning their future pathways. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to take part in their first HAO Sixth Form taster day - an exciting chance to experience what life could be like with us after GCSEs. @haorpington 15/12/25 End of Term Highlights - As we approach the final week of term, our focus is on exploring the next steps for not only our students, but those that could join us next year. Banding day was a success as we welcomed prospective students and their parents - with a mop up this week. @haorpington 03/12/25 LBB's upcoming winter HAF programme will run again from 22nd December to 31 December 2025 The programme offers free holiday club places, including activities and healthy meals for families with children 5-16 years old who get FSM. Book directly:  shorturl.at/uluNm @haorpington 27/11/25 Well done to our Year 8 and Year 9 football teams, who both won their tense and entertaining matches, by 1 goal. Both our goalkeepers saving last minute penalties to hold out for the win! Great effort by all! @HarrisFed @haorpington 24/11/25 What a week at HAO last week! From advocacy and community engagement, assessments galore,  to student achievements and a little theatre magic – here’s what we’ve been up to in images 👇 #Education #Advocacy #HAO @HarrisFed @haorpington 19/11/25 Well done to the Year 10 football team on their 7-2 win on Monday night in the Bromley League. Two wins from two, making it a successful campaign so far. @HarrisFed @haorpington X Wall 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. Central Office Harris Federation Harris Teaching School Harris Careers Harris Sixth Form Bexley Harris Academy Falconwood Harris Garrard Academy Brent Harris Lowe Academy Willesden Harris Primary Academy South Kenton Bromley Harris Academy Beckenham Harris Academy Orpington Harris Girls' Academy Bromley Harris Primary Academy Beckenham Harris Primary Academy Beckenham Green Harris Primary Academy Crystal Palace Harris Primary Academy Kent House Harris Primary Academy Orpington Harris Primary Academy Shortlands Clapham Harris Academy Clapham Harris Clapham Sixth Form Croydon Harris Academy Beulah Hill Harris Academy Purley Harris Academy South Norwood Harris Aspire Academy Harris City Academy Crystal Palace Harris Invictus Academy Croydon Harris Primary Academy Benson Harris Primary Academy Croydon Harris Primary Academy Haling Park Harris Primary Academy Kenley Harris Primary Academy Purley Way Greenwich Harris Academy Greenwich Haringey Harris Academy Tottenham Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park Harris Primary Academy Philip Lane Havering Harris Academy Rainham Harris Rainham Sixth Form Merton Harris Academy Merton Harris Academy Morden Harris Academy Wimbledon Harris Primary Academy Merton Newham Harris Academy Chobham Southwark Harris Academy Bermondsey Harris Academy Peckham Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich Harris Primary Academy Peckham Park Stratford Harris Science Academy East London Sutton Harris Academy Sutton Harris Junior Academy Carshalton Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form Thurrock Harris Academy Chafford Hundred Harris Academy Ockendon Harris Academy Riverside Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred Harris Primary Academy Mayflower Wandsworth Harris Academy Battersea Westminster Harris Academy St. John's Wood Harris Westminster Sixth Form Close Careers 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% 2024-25 1.6% 57.8% 32.8%$ 4.7% 3.1% 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% 2024-25 55.1% 10.2% 14.2% 4.1% 16.3% 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: Careers-Directory 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. Featured News Sports Clubs at HAO - Summer Term Read Full Article HAO Y8 and Y9 vs Babington House for the Win! Read Full Article Annual Conference and Empowering Youth Throug... Read Full Article Remembrance Day - Least we forget Read Full Article Head of Academy: Richard Carey Harris Academy Orpington, Tintagel Road, Orpington, Kent, BR5 4LG 01689 819 219 Email Us Find Us Useful Links Harris Federation Term Dates Prospectus Admissions Paper Copies Harris Careers Education How to Find Us Harris Federation Policies Cookie Policy: We use cookies on this site to improve your user experience. More Information Allow All Cookies Manage Preferences Deny Cookies Allow All Cookies Submit & Close