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22/03/24

Delighted to welcome and his team into our academy this week to film for his latest book. Inspiring our students to develop their reading further.

18/03/24

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that our Science Technician, Rudolf Van Koningsveld, has been awarded The Registered Science Technician Award (RSciTech), a registered mark recognising excellence for technicians working in science education! pic.twitter.com/v7kYxDhU4E

18/03/24

Year 11 students dazzled the examiner with their recent GCSE Component 2 performances, worth 20% of their overall grade.Performing two gripping extracts from 'Starlight Express', the students showcased months of hard work and dedication, leaving the examiner in awe. pic.twitter.com/eAc3eRjgae

18/03/24

Principal's Breakfast on Friday celebrated ten students nominated for 'doing the right thing all the time' this week by their teachers. Each week the winners receive a free breakfast, gift voucher and certificate pic.twitter.com/vfyD3TDyLS

21/02/24

🎉Congratulations to both and on maintaining their Outstanding Ofsted judgments following recent inspections!Read more about their success here:https://t.co/cXhlAIPOFJ

21/02/24

🎉Congratulations to both and on maintaining their Outstanding Ofsted judgments following recent inspections!Read more about their success here:https://t.co/cXhlAIPOFJ

21/02/24

Very happy to be featured in this week along with following both our Ofsted 'Outstanding' ratings. We're incredibly proud of our staff and students and it's lovely to have our success celebrated! https://t.co/UMwA7yMjcG

20/02/24

Year 12 and 13 students were treated to a talk about economics (and careers) by Chief Economist Peter Arnold . "Peter's talk has encouraged me to pursue a career in economics," said Imran. "I look forward to learning more about the macroeconomic policies in my course." pic.twitter.com/y6KPjVpk7K

15/02/24

We had fun last week celebrating our recent Ofsted 'Outstanding' Award with students. We were very proud of the way our students conducted themselves during the visit. They were a true credit to themselves, our Academy and their families. https://t.co/Frz4TrGe5f pic.twitter.com/S27e95IBt4

13/02/24

Get your tickets for our latest school production, Bugsy Malone, 13th and 14th March 2024. Tickets available on ParentPay from 19th February. Don't miss! pic.twitter.com/mfp6r7W1xP

13/02/24

We are thrilled to announce that our student, Sebastian, has emerged as the winner in the Southwark Regional Final of Jack Petchey's Speak Out Challenge. A compelling and persuasive performance indeed! https://t.co/iJGSNARJai pic.twitter.com/lrwpFhyoyL

06/02/24

Our Art Prefects have had their second workshop with ceramicist Marie Tricaud. Students fired their ceramics in the kiln and applied coloured glaze. We experimented with colour and different painting techniques, finishing with beautiful results https://t.co/UyUjtBhnU3 pic.twitter.com/hALsSeg85L

01/02/24

Younes, Lawrence, Artur and Chowdhury competed in the Year 7 Spelling Bee earlier this week, taking on challenging words such as onomatopoeia, armageddon, connoisseur, fluorescent, leprechaun, garrulous and haemorrhage. A superb effort from our team! pic.twitter.com/f3onldp091

29/01/24

Urban Plan delivered a great urban development workshop today. Year 10 students were split into five 'development companies' and had to show industry professionals why their team should gain the opportunity to develop a new town centre. https://t.co/DyBJtLqfuN pic.twitter.com/mT1G2GLMOO

29/01/24

On Friday we held a special rewards breakfast for all the boys who helped with our Winter Showcase music concert at the end of last term.It was the largest amount of students we have had in one concert, so well done everyone. Our next event is Bugsy Malone in March! pic.twitter.com/QmVbi8qwuT

25/01/24

Our debating team made waves at the recent competition held at Sydenham High. Twelve of our best debaters rose to the occasion, demonstrating their eloquence and critical thinking. Judges praised their poise and respectful engagement with their opponents. Well done boys! pic.twitter.com/UIXm2Ec43h

09/01/24

Ofsted have again found our academy to be 'Outstanding'. A huge thank you to our excellent team of staff who work tirelessly to provide our students with the very best learning opportunities. Thank you so much😃. Read more https://t.co/vOQdNotx7K pic.twitter.com/XU2Hy4Cj6E

14/12/23

Our Chess Club enjoy a friendly tournament with six keen players from . The event was held in the school library, where 15 players competed in a series of matches. Great sportsmanship and camaraderie. Watch out for a Chess Competition! pic.twitter.com/5y6mJlKqMs

12/12/23

We were delighted to welcome our sponsor, Lord Harris, to Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich last week. It was inspirational for many of the students to meet Lord Harris and hear his passion and enthusiasm for our academy. pic.twitter.com/94SSlYjWhh

07/12/23

Sixth formers attend a PwC graduate scheme event for Black students recently, organised in collaboration with . The event catered to Black A-level students in years 12-13 aspiring to attend top-tier universities. Read more https://t.co/a0uJVg5o3G pic.twitter.com/HF5orb2Fto

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Latest News

Posted on February 17th 2020

'Brixton Bard' Alex Wheatle Inspires Reading

Alex Wheatle, the ‘Brixton Bard’, made his second visit to Harris Boys’ recently. He started the day with Form A1 for DEAR Time (Drop Everything And Read) as they are currently reading his book Liccle Bit.

Students shared with Alex their predictions of what might happen at the end of the book, then listened to the author read the next instalment of the story.

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Nurain, Year 8, wanted to know why Alex wrote the book and what his inspiration was. Alex said: “It is based around experiences in my life – many things that happen in my books happened to me. I was trying to understand why because you are from one postcode you end up hating someone from a different one. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Aneurin, Year 9, said: “DEAR time with Alex was really good. I enjoyed it when he was reading in patois and acting out the storyline whilst reading the book."

Alex’s books include the Crongton series, specially written for teenagers and featuring instantly recognisable and endearing characters who face problems at home and on the streets. His writing is characterised by fresh, playful dialogue influenced by music, films and different dialects. He explained how he speaks the words out loud to test them out as he writes.

During the morning, Alex told his life story to Years 7, 8 and 9 as well as many members of staff. His dramatic and heart-rending story starts in Jamaica and runs through children’s homes, hostels and reform school, to the Brixton riots and prison.


IMG 3469Prize-winning author

Alex is now a prize-winning author, involved with many charities, schools and young people’s groups and he shared the importance of reading, writing and libraries in turning his life around. He said the most important thing for him was finding someone who believed in him and encouraged him to find out who he was and where he had come from. After listening to Alex, Prashan, Year 8, said he was impressed with how open and honest Alex was in front of so many people.

Students from all year groups chatted with Alex at break time and over lunch in the canteen, wanting to know everything from what happened to all the people in his life story to tips for writing their own stories.

Alex said it was a pleasure to visit our school, how engaged he found the students and how pleased he was with their responses to his presentation. He commented that it was wonderful to be in a school where reading is so highly valued and promoted. Alex has donated £300 worth of his books to HBAED for DEAR Time, after school book clubs and as individual gifts and prizes for students.

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Pictures (from top):

  • Daquan in Year 11 talks to Alex about his ideas for stories.
  • Alex Wheatle shares his life story in the packed assembly hall
  • Alex in our school library. His Crongton series of books is hugely popular in the library.

It was amazing to read alongside Alex Wheatle! I hope I get this opportunity again.

Isaac, Year 8


Theatre Peckham 22 April - 9 May

Crongton Knights by Alex Wheatle is on at Theatre Peckham 22 April – 9 May and will be blending hip-hop and beat box into the story. Sign up in the library for the school trip or why not book tickets and take your whole family along!