Twitter

03/02/24

Thank you for attending and giving our students a chance to explore more career options

31/01/24

Our first cohort to talk future aspirations with our guests are Year 9. pic.twitter.com/0evKYXQWej

31/01/24

Getting ready for our Careers Fair this morning with some amazing visitors ready to speak to our students pic.twitter.com/u6vvMl8849

19/01/24

Not for the faint hearted! Year 13 Psychology students got all practical today as they dissected sheep's brains. Why? This was to support their revision of the parts of the brain for the Biopsychology. pic.twitter.com/1AW8mvTfkI

12/01/24

Crochet enrichment - just some of the amazing work being created by our students. pic.twitter.com/qvko8lgXFl

08/01/24

We are consulting on our Admissions Policy for 2025-2026. For further information, please see the enclosed link.https://t.co/bYSmRL9rgc pic.twitter.com/pgWd7bOW8j

19/12/23

Exploring the wonders of biology during a sixth form taster day yesterday – students fully engaged in the fascinating world of kidney dissection! 🧪🔬 " pic.twitter.com/uQ58IJrJrh

19/12/23

We are consulting on our Admissions Policy for 2025-2026. For further information, please see the enclosed link.https://t.co/bYSmRL9Z5K pic.twitter.com/iWcja3QhM5

12/12/23

Thank you to all the parents and students who braved the not so great weather to attend our apprenticeship information evening for Years 10-13. Thank you to our guest speakers from team. pic.twitter.com/5TM7f2UeAS

12/12/23

The motion argued was 'This house would ban advertising aimed at children'.The afternoon was well spent and students from both schools did well and enjoyed themselves. pic.twitter.com/DDo0a6vjBp

12/12/23

Last Friday, 15 students from came to HAO for the 2nd leg of debate training and competition. The students from HAO represented themselves well against the experienced and eloquent speakers of Bromley High School. pic.twitter.com/9kdl6XZJ7f

08/12/23

Final game of our ESFA group saw another rivalry, with HAO taking on in a tight, tense, up and down game. Claiming the top spot with a well fought 3-2 victory is…HAO. Onward to the knockout stages! pic.twitter.com/ySDC8ELw4s

04/12/23

Congratulations to Mr Stuchfield for growing what can only be described as a resplendent moustache for charity as part of “Movember”. pic.twitter.com/fHIhG3YIw9

24/11/23

1st round of the London Cup, saw Harris Orpington take on Harris Beckenham in a local rivalry. A good game with Harris Orpington claiming a 4-0 victory. pic.twitter.com/fa6koPG0l5

21/11/23

Please send details to our info.org.uk account so that we can share with the relevant staff.

17/11/23

For more information on this cause, follow the link: https://t.co/g2lRaHkUHh

17/11/23

Mr Stuchfield is raising awareness for - 'I am bravely sporting a truly egregious moustache in front of 800 children every day'.This is the before picture - Lets check back in at the end of the month for a progress check.To donate: https://t.co/5Ys2Lc5DzD pic.twitter.com/XY03cCzZP7

17/11/23

And taking the time to explore the trenches…Mr Koubaa joined in too! pic.twitter.com/LdGndWzesy

17/11/23

Paying our respects at the Canadian memorial at Sanctuary wood pic.twitter.com/15mHUptGMQ

17/11/23

Yesterday was an early start for our avid historians! But they made it to Folkestone for the crossing over to Calais… pic.twitter.com/ovLLlMOzSG

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

Bromley

Clapham

Croydon

Greenwich

Haringey

Havering

Merton

Newham

Southwark

Stratford

Sutton

Thurrock

Wandsworth

Westminster

Willesden

Meet Our Senior Leaders

Mr David Astin, Executive Principal

David astinMr Astin has been teaching for 20 years, and with the Harris Federation since 2008. He began his career at a large school in Milton Keynes in 1995 and then taught at a very successful girls' school in Carshalton.

In 2008, Mr Astin was appointed Assistant Principal of our sister school, Harris City Academy Crystal Palace.  After that, he was a leader of the Harris Sixth Form and later the Principal of Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley. 

During this time, he helped to lay the educational foundations of the Harris Westminster Sixth Form, a collaboration with Westminster School which aims to prepare London’s brightest state school pupils for entry to the world’s best universities. Mr Astin, who lives in Beckenham with his young family, was appointed Executive Principal of Harris Academy Orpington in September 2018.


Richard CareyMr Richard Carey, Head of Academy

Richard is an experienced Senior leader having taught for over 20 years and taking on various leadership roles within the Harris Federation for 11 years.

Richard was responsible for setting up a brand new Academy in East Dulwich which was deemed “outstanding” in its most recent Ofsted inspection.  He then utilised his experience to assist with the opening of Harris Academy Garrard in Bexley.  Richard has a passion for student welfare and feels that all students must have the opportunity for a great academic education, develop their wider understanding of a modern Britain and become well-rounded young adults in the process.

As a local resident, he is fully aware of the need for a great school, serving the local community and welcomes any feedback from parents and carers.

Richard was appointed as the Head of Academy in Easter 2019 and is exceptionally proud of all the students and their achievements.



Ms Fay Humphries, Vice-Principal & Faculty Director - Sixth Form

Ms Humphries has been teaching for over 10 years and started her career within the Harris Federation. She was inspired by her own English teacher at school, and it was this teacher's passion and excitement for her subject that led Ms Humphries to obtain a degree in English Literature.

Ms Humphries has had several roles within Harris Orpington, and currently forms part of the Leadership Team whilst also looking after the Year 11 students with Ms Powell. She loves the challenge of working with teenagers and seeing the dedication and commitment from students to succeed. There is a tangible feeling of “family” within the year group, all working hard with integrity and determination having a shared goal and purpose.

Ms Humphries’ passion for literacy and reading is evident to the school, as she encourages students to seek new adventures and explore the world through the pages of a thrilling novel; a suspenseful mystery, a serendipitous tale of romance, or a page-turning horror, each one a passport with the ability to transport us to worlds beyond our reach.


Ms Jasmine Marshall-Fraser, Vice Principal & Faculty Director - Year 11

Ms Marshall-Fraser has been teaching for over 10 years.  Her career began in a secondary school in Brighton as a Religious Studies teacher and during her time there she took on a number of responsibilities including Student Voice Coordinator, Able and Talented Coordinator and Head of Behaviour.

Ms Marshall-Fraser joined the Harris Federation in April 2019 as an Assistant Principal at Harris Invictus Academy as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Ms Marshall-Fraser has a BA Hons and MA in Education and is passionate about ensuring all young people have the opportunity to a high quality of education. 


Ms Ashtrid Turnbull, Faculty Director - Year 10

Ms Turnbull is a qualified teacher who across nearly two and a half decades, has worked across London, the UK and abroad as a science teacher, middle leader and as an Assistant Principal.  She has worked as a Faculty Director at Harris Academy Orpington since 2019 and she is passionate about developing the wellbeing of staff and pupils, developing a rich curriculum, and ensuring that HAO is an inclusive, academy with an inspiring curriculum. Ms Turnbull says that her sense of humour is one of her greatest leadership assets. She is also down to earth, transparent, trustworthy, and empathetic to every student’s need, every teacher’s struggle and to the community’s challenges.  

Ashtrid is also a science teacher and happily admits to being a complete science geek! She aims to use real life examples in the classroom, to bring some of the more abstract concepts to life and hopefully inspire the next generation of scientists. She is also a mother of twin teenage daughters, an avid reader, and a rather enthusiastic amateur cook. She loves her pastoral role heading year 8 and can regularly be seen on the Astroturf having wonderfully bizarre conversations with them at break and lunchtimes.   

As an educator, she sees herself as a ‘future builder’ who considers the students to be the heartbeat of our academy and she believes passionately in each one of them! It is her mission to ensure that every young person realises and utilises their best attributes to ensure that they thrive when they leave the academy to pursue brilliantly positive futures.


Mrs Emily Wright, Assistant Principal and Managing Mentor - Year 9

Mrs Wright has lived in the local area all her life; she is committed to our community and has worked at Harris Academy Orpington since it opened in 2016. She studied English Literature and Drama at University and is passionate about inspiring students to develop a love for literature through her teaching. She has worked in several areas since joining the Academy including whole school literacy, working with most-able pupils and transitions.  

Her love for the Academy inspired her to join the leadership team working as the Assistant Principal for Year 8 and Managing Mentor. This role has allowed her to explore her interest in both pastoral support and teaching and learning. Mrs Wright sees the academy as her second home and believes positive relationships are at the heart of Harris Academy Orpington; leading a year team has enriched her working life and allowed her to have a rewarding role of ensuring students across her year group achieve their dreams. 


Mr Mark Brockwell, Faculty Director - Year 8

Mr Brockwell has always had a passion for Teaching about Design, Technology and the modern world and is a firm believer in trying to prepare young people for their future in job roles that may not exist yet.

He studied BAEd Secondary Design and Technology at Goldsmiths University and has spent his career teaching in London schools. He joined the Harris Federation in 2007.

Mr Brockwell is an experienced Design and Technology teacher with a background in Resistant materials and Computer aided design.

He was a co-lead in the original ‘Student Commission’ and has led on student behaviour and whole school Health and safety. He has worked with the ‘Harris Teaching School’ to develop beginner teachers and has delivered course content on the NPQSL. He has also served as a school governor.

Mr Brockwell joined Harris Academy Orpington in 2019 as a Faculty Director having previously held the same role at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace.


Ms Nicole Champion, Faculty Director Year 7 and Head of Literacy

Miss Champion has worked for the Harris Federation since 2013 and joined Harris Academy Orpington in 2019. Previously, Miss Champion worked at Harris Aspire and Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley, which was rated outstanding by Ofsted, where she worked as KS3 Lead and Second in Charge of the English Department.

Miss Champion holds a degree in English with specialism of British Literature from the University of Greenwich as well as a PGCE from Goldsmith’s University in London. Her research specialised in the use of literacy strategies to further educational practices. She is currently working towards her Lead Practitioner qualification with a focus on Literacy across the curriculum.

After leaving university, Miss Champion was inspired to work with children after volunteering to support with performing arts and dance productions in the local community.

Miss Champion has a passion for English and reading and believes that this opens the door to a world of creativity and confidence. She believes that no student should leave without the tools to communicate and express themselves to make sure that their voice is heard in the wider world.


Mr Martin Paterson, Assistant Principal - Designated Safeguarding Lead

I have wanted to be a teacher from the age of 14/15 years old. I was inspired by my PE teachers at school, and everything that I did from that age was geared towards where I am today, with some bumps along the way!

I love sport and was heavily involved with this as a child and this has been a constant throughout my life. I went to the University of Bedfordshire and studied Sport and Physical Education, followed by a year on a Graduated Teacher Programme, whilst also working as a Qualified Tennis Coach.

Previously I have worked at Harris Academy Purley and now at Harris Academy Orpington, whilst working at a Grammar school in between. I play golf at the weekends, to help stay active.

I am an Assistant Principal with the responsibility of overseeing Safeguarding within Harris Academy Orpington.


Mrs Karen Lettington, SENCO

Mrs Lettington is an experienced teacher and senior leader. She aspired to work at Harris Academy Orpington because Orpington is where she was born and educated. In September 2015 she embarked on her own learning journey of how best to support children with additional needs, which included becoming a qualified SENCO. Her aim is to support pupils and families through the challenges and opportunities of having special educational needs. She herself is dyslexic, and her two children have special educational needs. She hopes her own experiences and training helps pupils and parents to have high expectations and realise what potential we all possess.

Mrs Lettington enjoys sports and outdoor activities and has always tried to infuse and support the young people she works with to have opportunities to enjoy the activities she loves.  As a qualified mountain leader she has given her pupils skills to achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards by leading school expeditions all across the UK.  In addition she had led school expeditions to Mexico, Belize, Nepal and Malaysia.   She is a qualified Level 3 Netball coach, and has coached the U19 England selection, County, Club and school netball teams.  Leading School Netball tours to South Africa, Barbados, Malaga and across the UK. 

She believes in experiential learning, knowing that these opportunities not only help you learn but more importantly, you have fun and it is what you will remember about your school days.


Mr Samuel Clarke, Head of PE

Mr Clarke has been teaching for 6 years and joined Harris Academy Orpington 4 years ago, as a PE teacher, from Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys. He graduated from university in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports & Exercise Science from Aberystwyth University. His studies included: Sports Physiology, Sports Psychology, Biomechanics and Nutrition. 

Mr Clarke started life after University as a Personal Trainer, but it was here that he discovered his passion for education. Aiming to try and make long-term changes to lifestyles through educating clients on the importance of exercise, nutrition and a balanced diet when dealing with a range of clients with varying needs and goals. Subsequently, he went on to become a cover supervisor at Woolwich Polytechnic school for boys in 2012, gaining valuable experience in the classroom helping to facilitate the education of young children in a variety of different subjects and areas of school life. Mr Clarke worked closely with the PE Department running the rugby, tennis, hockey, table tennis and cricket clubs as well as regularly taking students to fixtures after school and at weekends. Following this experience, he went on to complete his PGCE with Bromley Schools Collegiate in collaboration with the University of Canterbury in 2016. Completing placements in Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys and the Priory. After 4 years at Woolwich Polytechnic school for Boys Mr Clarke joined the PE Department at Harris Orpington in 2016, becoming an integral part of the department. He has overseen several successful cohorts pass through their GCSE and A-level with great success and has helped in developing a comprehensive extra-curricular programme.  Mr Clarke was promoted to Head of Department in 2020.  

Mr Clarke is passionate about physical activity and sport. Particularly the important positive effects it can have on both physical and mental health. Sport and Physical activity can help with self-esteem, confidence and installs a self-discipline which is useful in studies and later in life. Furthermore, building a love of sport and physical activity helps to promote a long-term healthy lifestyle which has huge benefits.


Mrs Louise Woolmer, Head of Art, Design and Technology

Mrs Woolmer has been teaching for 22 years and joined The Priory School (now Harris Academy Orpington) in 2014.

Previously, Mrs Woolmer taught art at Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge for 17 years, where she became Head of Art and NQT Induction Tutor, moving on to being the ITT Lead of the Training School and Teaching School.

Mrs Woolmer worked closely with local schools, various teacher training establishments and was also an art tutor at Canterbury Christ Church University. She is passionate about arts education at all levels whether as a pupil or trainee teacher. She continually strives to improve the art and design provision and increase the numbers opting for the subject. Results and pupil numbers have grown and the range of experiences we offer the pupils has widened. Mrs Woolmer is keen for pupils to have a broader awareness of the importance of art and design and strive for all pupils to achieve the best of their ability.


Mrs Amy Harrison, Head of Sixth Form and Social Sciences

Mrs Harrison joined Harris Orpington in 2014 as an NQT and has developed to Head of Sixth Form having established the Social Science department as Head of Subject.

After leaving university she was inspired to work with children having worked at a drug and alcohol service in Brixton, to make a positive difference.

Mrs Harrison holds an undergraduate degree in Forensic Investigation and Social Science and an MA in Education (Inclusion) where her dissertation explored how we can teach resilience to children. She is also a counselling psychotherapist in integrative therapy.

Mrs Harrison aims to bring together her experiences, to develop the sixth form, supporting her students as they enter the next stage of their lives. She aims to ensure they are introduced to all opportunities available, making the best choices for them.

Mrs Harrison is passionate in ensuring all students leave our school with the academic qualifications to open doors and are empowered, autonomous and resilient, ready to face life’s challenges.


Mr Tom Stuchfield, Head of English

Mr Stuchfield joined HAO in 2023 as Head of English from a large academy in central London.

He is passionate about improving the cultural capital of students and promoting a sense of ownership over one’s own future. Being the first in his family to attend university, Mr Stuchfield is also keen to raise the profile of students who wish to push themselves further than ever before.

Before teaching, Mr Stuchfield was the director of a theatre company, producing shows at the Edinburgh Festival and venues in London.

He is particularly interested in 20th Century History and the plays of Shakespeare.

He holds an MA in Literature from Jesus College, Cambridge and went on to complete his MSc at the University of Edinburgh, and his PGCE at University College London.


Mr Daniel Greaves-Lord, Head of Mathematics

Mr Greaves-Lord started his teaching career in 2006 working as a Teaching Assistant in a school in Sussex. He worked in this role for a year before moving onto a second Teaching Assistant role, this time working as a Specialist Teaching Assistant in a Maths department. He then completed a bachelor's degree in mathematics education at the University of Brighton and went onto to work in a local secondary school in his hometown of Brighton, teaching Maths for 12 years there before joining Harris Academy Orpington as the Head of Maths in June 2023. 

Mr Greaves-Lord is passionate about inclusive Maths teaching that ensures all students are given the opportunity to succeed in Maths, and which allows students to become equipped with skills that will enable them to lead happy and successful lives in the modern world. Additionally, he aims to ensure students understand how the Maths they learn in the classroom is used in real careers and in different walks of life, as well as how it has been developed by different cultures throughout history. 


Ms Tameaka Edwards, Head of Science

Ms Edwards joined Harris Academy Orpington in September 2018 after relocating to England from Jamaica.

She holds an Undergraduate degree in Education and Professional Training from Canterbury Christ Church University and an Associate of Science Degree in Agriculture Education from College of Agriculture Science and Education.

Education has been her calling since the age of 17 when she first taught her Year 11 maths class.  Ms Edwards knew then that she wanted to be a teacher. She has been teaching for over 9 years and since coming to the UK her passion has been further re-ignited by the UK education system. Ms Edwards is passionate about children and seeing them become successful.

Ms Edwards is committed to ensuring that the learning provided in science can change the lives of HAO’s students regardless of their background.

In addition to her teaching and learning responsibilities, Ms Edwards is keen to show students that life requires balance and as such coaches the schools cheer team - Orpington Panthers, which helps students to develop their confidence and learn to be apart of a team.


Miss Patrice Gonzales, Head of History

Miss Gonzales has been working at Harris Academy Orpington since 2019.  

After working in the fashion PR industry for 5 years, Miss Gonzales became interested in a career in teaching because of youth work at her local church.  

Miss Gonzales is keen to show students and the local community the histories and cultures of the people and society around them and so also holds the role of Race Champion on the Academy’s Equalities Team and has recently spoken on these topics at events for the Institute of Historical Research and The Historical Association.  

Miss Gonzales holds a degree from Staffordshire University in Modern History and Journalism and completed her PGCE at UCL’s Institute of Education. Currently, Miss Gonzales is completing a Masters in Black British History at Goldsmiths University.  

In her role, Miss Gonzales is using the knowledge she has acquired through her research to teach students about contested and debated historical topics to show them that history is not simply about the past.