Harris in Conversation

In our latest episode, we reconnect with two inspiring alumni who participated in the 'Harris Experience'—a programme aimed at enhancing the academic and cultural experiences of our most promising secondary school students. Dill Anstey, who oversees the programme, shares her unique insights into its impact over the years.

In our latest episode we catch up with returning guest, Executive Principal James Handscombe (recently awarded an OBE) and former student David, who now enjoys a successful career in investment banking.

Harris Academy Crystal Palace- The Original Harris

In this fun-filled episode, we explore the mutual respect between teachers and students- highlighted by funny and memorable moments like school performances and Harris' infamous sports days.

Former HCACP students, Danny, now a DJ and podcaster, and Kyle, a former sprinter for England, share advice on handling pressure and pursuing opportunities.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about respect, education, and personal growth.

In this Harris Futures episode, we spoke with Matt Osborne, Head of Harris Sixth Form, and caught up with Harris Merton alumni: Liam, Charlie, and Matt.

They discussed their time together in the earliest days of Harris Merton, when Matt was their teacher. They also discussed their individual career paths, sharing insights and lessons learned along the way.

An inspiring episode filled with nostalgia, honesty and insight!

This episode features Yinka and Otis, who began their academic journey at Harris Academy Peckham before continuing on to Harris Westminster Sixth Form.

They offer invaluable insights into tackling academia, knowing when to seek support, and the importance of balancing career aspirations with personal identity. It's a conversation that'll have you nodding along in agreement.

A powerhouse of an episode featuring Peter and Christine, former HASN students, who spoke openly and candidly about the challenges they faced and the hugely inspirational ways in which they overcame them.

‘I still tell Christine’s story to my siblings and my family -me and Christine made it out the bubble that we're put in by society that you can't…you can't amount to much, like what you can achieve is very limited. And we just said no: we're not taking no for an answer! There's no reason why we can't try to work in the big corporations. There's no reason why we can't try to impact other people's lives!’

In this episode, we hear from former students Travis (Harris South Norwood) and Matt (Harris Academy Merton), along with Secondary Director Rebecca Hickey. They discuss their time on the student commission, the influence of dedicated teachers, navigating opportunities in the music industry, and the significance of studying outside of London. They also touch on reframing learning perspectives and their continued involvement with Harris Futures!

In our latest episode, we speak with Head of School at Harris Westminster Sixth Form, Claire Scott- and inspirational alumna Hajar- about their memories of the founding years of Harris Westminster.

2024 marks the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the school- what better time to celebrate all that has been achieved!

In our first Futures episode, we speak with former Crystal Palace students Vincent and David, along with Rebecca Hickey, Director of Secondary Education at Harris.

This episode captures the enduring impact of their shared experiences – including visiting New York with Harris as 15-year-olds- and experiencing online learning a decade before the pandemic.

You can expect a new episode every couple of weeks – and we encourage you to join the conversation! If you'd like to be a guest or recommend someone, simply email us at [email protected]

Oliver speaks with Harris Federation Executive Principal and author James Handscombe about his book 'A School Built on Ethos', which critics have described as "inspirational" and "a model of how school leadership enriched by a deeply human hinterland can transform students, teachers and a community." Listen as James discusses the importance of carefully planning and successfully delivering assemblies, how and why it is important to create a shared language in school communities, and much more!