View our posts

15/06/25

Our Sixth Form taster is fast approaching! Join us on the 10th July 2025 pic.twitter.com/5bfCvm7tM7

11/06/25

Just some creative line marking on one of our fields this summer. pic.twitter.com/4P0sy62J0u

06/06/25

for all those teachers and school staff out there: National Thank A Teacher Day is coming up on the 18th June. You can send a card to a friend, colleague or teacher, using this link: https://t.co/lexztaa3QH pic.twitter.com/7CsYwlOJZT

06/06/25

HAO received it's Social Value Certificate from this week, which is calculated from the hours our students have volunteered and contributed to and in the wider community. A great achievement to our Bronze, Silver and Gold award participants! pic.twitter.com/EC4XljXuVM

06/06/25

Though we often have Friday fish and chips for lunch, today HAO marked National Fish and Chips day with some extra flare. Thanks to our catering team for providing great food, as always. pic.twitter.com/dTja4pPmV9

03/06/25

A reminder for parents and students of some of our afterschool sporting clubs available this term. pic.twitter.com/gW7pH13Icl

02/06/25

A warm welcome back to our staff and students as we start the summer 2 term. Good luck to those that are finishing the last round of external exams and to those about to start their end of year assessments. pic.twitter.com/F45kzKthla

23/05/25

It is finally the end of the the first summer half term and we want to wish our community a wonderful break next week. For Y11 and Y13, don't forget we have masterclasses taking place: https://t.co/4AhuKYZCYn pic.twitter.com/SNw73mezdb

16/05/25

As we approach the last half term, this is a reminder that many of the year groups will have end of year assessments taking place soon. To help, we have created year group assessment revision packs, now available on our website.https://t.co/oLgKKs6hRO

14/05/25

There was an award ceremony at the end of the talk, with a possible six awards. Two of these awards went to Harris students and one, to our very own Shyanne for 'responsibility'. Congratulations Shyanne! Visit our website for more details on the event: https://t.co/jcPdSW8aeU pic.twitter.com/78xz0I3xDT

14/05/25

Hosted by , the event 'The Game Plan Roadshow' featured panel discussions and interactive activities aimed to develop the skills, resilience and mental strengths needed for the workplace.https://t.co/Ysc2fCpHfz

14/05/25

Last week some of our Y12 students attended a High Performance Roadshow event for schools. Six students from HAO attended the live filming of a podcast episode and had a great time hearing from inspirational individuals. pic.twitter.com/HZ1csJVdta

08/05/25

At the end of last term, some of our sixth form students in biology, art and psychology got a chance to visit the and Bethlem Museum of the Mind. All to boost their knowledge and understanding, giving insight to treatments as well as the artwork created by patients pic.twitter.com/6OqaWpeUTC

08/05/25

Uni prepared a delicious Japanese sushi dish which won over the judges. Uni was presented with a stunning Lingua Chef 2025 trophy, as well as a bag of cooking items, her own Lingua Chef 2025 apron, and a beautifully illustrated graphic novel recipe book. pic.twitter.com/wq4wjsssh0

08/05/25

A huge congratulations Y8 Uni who was one of the talented Lingua Chef winners this year. The Federation MFL LinguaChef competition invites students to create culinary dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world. pic.twitter.com/JkaMuNXj67

08/05/25

At the end of last term, some of our sixth form students in biology, art and psychology got a chance to visit the and Bethlem Museum of the Mind. All to boost their knowledge and understanding, giving insight to treatments as well as the artwork created by patience pic.twitter.com/VqeOmw70IQ

08/05/25

Check out the schools website for the full exam timetable for Y11 and sixth form, in the coming weeks. We have also set up some masterclass sessions and you can read about how to prep for the exams and the rules and regulations here: https://t.co/cdvEBeQPis pic.twitter.com/HJJqN2x14z

02/05/25

All the key UCAS dates and deadlines for May 🗓️ We’re closed this Bank Holiday Monday, but you can still find all of the support and advice you need on our website: https://t.co/6rqb0wSa4N pic.twitter.com/hlqi3dpEKB

02/05/25

A few subs and some calm heads prevailed, and the next 5 minutes belonged to HAO. A penalty awarded that Solomon dispatched comfortably to make it 5-4 to HAO. The team held on for the final 2 minutes to take the win. A close and very tense game but still a victory for HAO. pic.twitter.com/hJ9t9snn5a

02/05/25

The second half started with confidence, precision and good decision making as HAO went up to 4-0 by the 50th minute. However, upped their game and something shifted as they clearly dug deep, bringing the score to a nail biting 4-4, and only minutes left. pic.twitter.com/5h35Z1XkyE

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

Bexley

Brent

Bromley

Clapham

Croydon

Greenwich

Haringey

Havering

Merton

Newham

Southwark

Stratford

Sutton

Thurrock

Wandsworth

Westminster

Academy Admissions

Admissions Arrangements 2026-2027

Following the consultation in the academic year 2024 on our admissions arrangements, this is a reminder that our admissions policy for new admissions from 2025 onwards, is different to previous years. The policy can be viewed via the following link here, or alternatively, at the bottom of this page. 

Below are some FAQ's based on the ratified changes to the admissions policy:

What does this mean for my child if they are currently in Year 6?   

There were two changes to the admissions policy last year: 

  1. Children who apply to join the Academy in Year 7 in 2026, will be invited to complete a banding test at the Academy in December 2025. This is quite standard across the Harris Federation and is nothing to worry about or be nervous about. The banding test is not a ‘pass or fail test’ as it is designed to make sure that we have a comprehensive intake. As a school, we want to make sure that we have students joining us from all ability ranges and the banding test helps us to do that. Please find in the document section below, a fact sheet regarding the banding test, as well as the supplementary information form. 

  1. We also reduced the number of places available to Year 7 to 120. This means we will have 60 less places available to children in Year 7 from 2025. 

Can I still get a place if my other child is at Harris Primary Academy Orpington? 

Yes. This part of the policy has not changed. Children who have an EHCP, are Looked After, have a sibling at the Academy, attend Harris Primary Orpington or are children of staff will still be allocated places first. 

What do I do if I have any questions about this? 

If you have any questions or are unsure about anything at all, please email info@harrisorpington.org.uk and we will aim to get back to you within 24 hours. 


We welcome applicants of all academic abilities and backgrounds. In this section of our website you will find details of our admissions process. Our full policy, with details of our admissions criteria, can be downloaded below.

There are 120 places available in Year 7 every September and applications are made through the London Borough of Bromley’s coordinated admissions process

Harris Academy Orpington will set admission arrangements annually. Where changes are proposed to admission arrangements there will be a public consultation on these arrangements. If no changes are made to admission arrangements the Academy consultation will only take place at least every seven years.

Parents are strongly advised to read carefully the full Academy Admissions Policy 2026-27(see at the bottom of the page) and information and advice from the local authority. 

The main points to remember are:

  • You must submit an application form to your Local Education Authority if applying online by 31 October 2025. A place at any secondary school can only be offered if an application has been received.
  • Think carefully about the order in which you place your chosen schools on the form.  You should enter your most preferred school first on the list. Please remember to enter the full name of Harris Academy Orpington, as there are several different Harris Academies and an entry of simply “Harris Academy” will be ignored.
  • BANDING TEST DAY is on Friday 12th December 2025. Your child will only need to sit ONE test, even if you have listed more than one Harris Academies on your CAF form as we share our results.
  • Supplementary Form: you will only need to fill and return this form to us by Monday 11th November 2025 if your child has Special Education Needs; please see below to download the form.
  • Be sure to include at least three different schools on your preference form.

In March 2026, the local authority will notify you of the school where your child has been offered a place.  If you are happy with the offer, you MUST ACCEPT this place by returning the acceptance form to Admissions at the Academy.

If you are unhappy that you did not receive an offer of a school place at Harris Girls' Academy Bromley, you have the right to lodge an independent appeal with us.


Please find our prospectus below.

Orpington_Pageturner Orpington_PDF
View Digital Prospectus Online Download a PDF

Academy admissions: contact details

Contact: Ms Gatton

Telephone: 01689 819 219


Opening Events - September 2025

Please click here or scan the QR code to book your place on the Open Events in September 2025 via MS Forms. Please note that we will do our best to accommodate your first option event date and time, but that spaces are very limited. 

  • Opening Evening - Thursday 25th September 2025 5.00pm – 8.00pm
  • Open Mornings - Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Friday 26th September 2025: 9:00am – 10:00am – bookings only.

QRCode for Harris Academy Orpington Open Events 2025

Open Evening Banner Sept25


Year 7 Key Dates 2026-2027 

25 September 2025  

Open Evening for Year 7 and Sixth Form

22, 23, 24 & 26 September 2025 

Year 7 and Y12 Open Mornings - 9:00-10:00 - please book a space 

31 October 2025 

CAF forms returned to home Local Authority 

12 December 2025 

Banding Day 

2 March 2026 

National Offer Day - Local Authority informs parents/carers of allocated school 

15 April 2026 

4pm deadline for appeals to be made in writing to the Academy 

From 25 April 2026 onwards 

Appeal heard 

1 September 2026 

Waiting Lists closed and replaced by casual admissions waiting lists. Parents/Carers will need to re-apply as a casual admission, if still waiting. 


In-year admissions

If you are looking for a place in Harris Academy Orpington because you have recently moved into the area, or your child is at another secondary school and you feel that a change of school would benefit their education and/or general well-being, you are entitled to apply for a school place. 

Since September 2013, the law allows you to apply directly to Harris Academy Orpington.  Please contact Admissions at the Academy, (contact details above) to request an in-year admission form, or download the form (see below). Please note that there is no guarantee that a place will be available, but you have the right of appeal if you are refused a place.


For parents who wish to appeal

Any parent(s) wishing to appeal against the academy’s decision on admissions, for any year group, should complete an appeal form stating the reason for the appeal, based on the published admissions criteria. You can also obtain an appeals form by contacting the academy by phone, email or in person. 

Completed forms should be sent to the Clerk to the Admissions Appeal Panel at: Harris Academy Orpington, Tintagel Road, Orpington, Kent, BR5 4LG. Completed appeal forms must be received by the academy by the closing date 15th April 2026 at 4pm. Please note: the academy does not provide help with appeals. 

The appeals will be heard, in private, by an independent appeal panel. The Clerk to the Appeal Panel will make an appointment within a reasonable time; the provisional dates have been booked to be during the months of April/May.  

Appeals may be made in English or the parents’/carers’ first language. Only one appeal per application is allowed. Appeals are conducted in person, and you may bring a friend. Appeals must be made by 15th April 2026. 

Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date. 


Additional supporting information

If an appellant wishes to submit further evidence, which was not included with their initial appeal, they should ensure this is received at least seven clear working days (not counting the day of postage or the hearing) in advance of your appeal.

Only a short document, such as a doctor’s letter not previously available, will be accepted up to five clear working days prior to the hearing. Any additional evidence or information received after this deadline will not be circulated and may not be considered at the hearing.


The Appeal Hearing

The academy will arrange for an independent appeals panel to consider the academy's reasons for refusal and your reasons for wanting to attend the academy. The panel will consist of three people (two will have education experience and one will be an independent person with no education experience).

The panel will consider the case put forward by you and the academy. They must consider the admission arrangements for the academy and the reasons why you want to attend that particular school. The panel must exercise its discretion by balancing the weight of your argument (for wanting to attend) against the academy’s reasons for refusal i.e. the prejudice that one more student would cause to the education of the students already offered and the health and safety of all the students already attending the academy, also taking into account the academy's published admission arrangements.  

The decision of the independent appeals panel is binding on the admissions authority and the parents. Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing at least ten clear school days in advance of the hearing. Appellants will be sent a copy of the school's case at least seven clear working days in advance of the hearing.


Post 16 applications

Before applying, you should read our Sixth Form Information and details on admissions criteria, which can be found here. 

For further information on the process of admissions into a secondary school, please see the Bromley’s Secondary School admissions page https://www.bromley.gov.uk/secondary-school-admissions/secondary-school-places.

Back to Key Information