Empathy and help given to younger pupils is key to Bromley school’s outstanding status

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A secondary school in Bromley where pupils read to primary school students and visit care home residents has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley in Lennard Road has been praised by the education watchdog for its excellent examination results and personal development of pupils.

The report claimed the way in which pupils’ characters developed was ‘exceptional’. Sam Rigby, principal of the school, said empathy was a key value and community service played a central role.

He said: “A big part of that is what they do in the community, we put a huge amount of value on that. Our Sixth Form students buddy up with Year Seven pupils and read to them and they also go to local primary schools and read to students there.

“Our Sixth Form students also go into care homes on a weekly basis and they have tea and coffee and conversations with people. We think that’s really important.”

Mr Rigby added added: “We want students to understand that through empathy and understanding they are able to control the world around them and have that positive impact.”

The inspector said in their report that the school sets a high standard for what pupils are expected to achieve, with an ambitious curriculum and teachers being commended for knowing their subjects well.

The headmaster said commitment was an important trait instilled in pupils, with the school being one of only approximately 140 in the UK that has been accredited with the World Class Schools Quality Mark.

Mr Rigby said: “We will do everything we can to make sure that students reach their potential and are achieving those amazing results. We also want students to have the experience that we would want for our own daughters and our own children. We want them to be really loving school and see it as something that they are passionate about and they enjoy looking back with really fun memories.”

Pictured top: Students of Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley celebrating the school’s Ofsted result. Permission for use by all LDRS partners (Picture: Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley)