Harris Experience
Each academic year ten students are nominated to take part in the Harris Experience, a cultural and academic enhancement programme for the most able students across the Harris Federation. The programme includes cultural opportunities and extra-curricular academic sessions that will enable students to apply to Russell Group universities when they are older.
Students are selected for the Experience based on a number of factors, including their attitude to learning, Pupil Premium eligibility and, of course, their academic record. They take part in the programme from Year 9 until they take their GCSEs.
Harris Experience activities include, but are not limited to:
Year 9
- Christies History of Art lecture
- Christies behind the scenes tour
- Careers sessions
- Teleology workshop
- Electronics workshop
Year 10
- Imperial College visit
- Royal Opera House performance
- Oxford or Cambridge University visit
- Careers sessions
Year 11
- Aporia Philosophy workshop
The Harris Experience Advanced offers similar experiences to high attaining Sixth Form students.
Year 9 Harris Experience student, Thomas Drew, reports how:
“We have so many opportunities others might not get! While I’m not taking GCSE Art, I really enjoyed having the chance to take part in an Art History lecture at Christies.”
And Year 10 Harris Experience students describe the opportunities they have had as part of their second year on the programme:
“We went to Christies where we sold a piece of art we’d made. I really liked taking on the role of auctioneer.”
“Our workshop on game theory really helped me improve my logical reasoning. It got me thinking!”