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25/11/24

Our Winter Showcase of performing arts is on Wednesday 18th December 2024. Tickets available now on ParentPay. Don't miss! pic.twitter.com/9AmiaDqs3B

17/09/24

“I used to be shy, but this week I’ve started putting my hand up more in class. I’m more confident now, and it feels good to share my ideas.” Shaheem (left), who came to us from John Donne Primary. Come and see our school for yourself. Open Event dates at https://t.co/W6QXf6prds pic.twitter.com/Iz3TJ5fDEr

17/09/24

Students on our new Performing Arts Bursary pathway met Mr Edwards this morning to map out their pathways for the year. They will receive free musical tuition, major roles in the school performance and courses with our artist in residence, Molly Burrows. https://t.co/pw61lPrnoc pic.twitter.com/mYxxbMUw6a

12/09/24

Year 7 students Robert, Muhammad, Othniel, Shaheem and William look back on their first two weeks of secondary school. The five came from different primaries: , Torridon, Bessemer Grange,  and . Read what they say at https://t.co/DF7GtlB2p0 pic.twitter.com/8dsGBTQkH0

12/09/24

We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Events. Our Open Evening is on Thursday 26th September 2024, 5pm-7pm.We also have drop-in mornings from 8.40-10.30am on:Monday 30th September 2024Tuesday 1st October 2024Wednesday 2nd October 2024Details https://t.co/W6QXf6prds pic.twitter.com/ZREuYAZP1r

22/08/24

Mr Brett pictured with Stanley, who achieved nine Grade 9s and two Grade 8s, and Lucas, who achieved six Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and one Grade 7. Congratulations to our students, staff and parents for our best ever results. https://t.co/8HL05iUS1j pic.twitter.com/EYkcMWoEvW

22/08/24

Students at Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich are celebrating achieving the Academy’s best-ever results this morning.Students gained a total of 276 top Grade 9s and Grade 8s across their subjects. Full story https://t.co/8HL05iUkbL pic.twitter.com/ieGFL9vC5u

18/08/24

Harris Academy East celebrates A-level and success with student securing job at @DeloitteUKhttps://t.co/bG4cSWkHgF pic.twitter.com/1Mxh5DdxxH

15/08/24

Amy (pictured with Mr Chan) is taking up a place on the Harris Apprenticeship, an exciting brand-new programme in HR, Talent Acquisition and Finance. pic.twitter.com/9VZAPNBZ6v

15/08/24

Mr Brett and Mr Ingham pictured with Robiq, Elijah and Markell - all going to the University of Leicester after achieving their great results. pic.twitter.com/RKP2QmrThZ

15/08/24

More of our students than ever before have gained places at Russell Group universities including Nottingham, Exeter, Kings College London, Bristol and Southampton. Ryan (left) is going to SOAS to read law, while Sky is going to the University of Exeter to study Business. pic.twitter.com/GkUmaTPS6B

15/08/24

Students at Harris Sixth Form at East Dulwich are reaping the rewards of two years of hard work as they collect their results today. At A-Level, 40% of entries achieved A*-A grades. In Technical Levels in Sport and IT students averaged a Distinction + grade overall. pic.twitter.com/jsvVqviR2X

11/07/24

We hosted a fantastic summer concert yesterday, organised with meticulous care and passion by the ever-dedicated Ms Bee.The event was a resounding success, showcasing the immense talent of students from Years 7-12 and a true celebration of our school's vibrant musical culture. pic.twitter.com/1wc2r4AUGi

10/07/24

Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich has scored a major win by clinching the 2024 EY Foundation Impact Award for Southern Education Partner.Announced yesterday, this award highlights the school's positive impact on the community in Southern England. https://t.co/zgJnFv6HP5 pic.twitter.com/8ImbNGi33l

02/07/24

The 30th anniversary of the opening of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London was the occasion for 30 of our Year 8 students to attend a spectacular performance of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' at the theatre recently. pic.twitter.com/1mPxaGAVpe

26/06/24

Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich is proud to have been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard, meaning that our careers programme meets all the gold-standard criteria for world-class advice and guidance. https://t.co/jcBZUJMPk5 pic.twitter.com/CGxkWnJ8Fk

17/06/24

Summer Showcase, 10th July, 6.30pm - Get Your Tickets! pic.twitter.com/VJYChQMf5J

06/06/24

Addressing smartphone addiction - headteachers of 17 Southwark secondary schools call on families to support a new joint approach to tackling the profoundly negative impact of Smartphones and Social Media on young people." Find out more https://t.co/kpYOXZ8hrm

23/05/24

Our Student Council has been working on a group project with students from James Allen's Girls' School to organise a writing competition focused on . Find our more about our neurodiversity writing competition at https://t.co/xnEkgtfYj5 pic.twitter.com/NTHnNajSD4

23/05/24

See our latest science experment with our Science Technician, Dr. Rudolf Van Koningsveld. This one is on convection... https://t.co/boc1XYMjJt

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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!