The Harris Academy in Beckenham is celebrating after Ofsted Inspectors rated the school ‘outstanding’ in its latest report.

The academy, in Manor Way in Beckenham, was rated outstanding across all areas, and is an improvement on its last inspection which was ‘good’.

Inspectors said: “Leaders at all levels in the school are aspirational for their pupils. They are determined that pupils will enjoy learning and achieve academic success.

“Teachers know their pupils well and plan challenging activities which meet the needs of all groups of pupils and enable them to make outstanding progress.

“Teachers are aspirational for their pupils and set high expectations for them. Pupils respond positively. They are determined to do their best and are confident about meeting ambitious targets set by their teachers.

“The school’s learning ethos of resourcefulness, reciprocity, resilience and reflectiveness has a strong impact on pupils’ personal development.”

The school currently has 1,048 pupils on roll including 130 in the sixth form and is part of the Harris Federation, a not-for-profit charity led by teachers.

There are 41 Harris primary and secondary academies in and around London. Every Harris academy so far to have been inspected by Ofsted has been rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ – with the majority ‘outstanding’.

Rebecca Hickey, Principal of Harris Academy Beckenham, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the top rating of ‘outstanding’.

“It’s a reflection of the tremendous effort made by staff and students in every aspect of academy life. I am particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised the maturity and respectfulness of our students and their exemplary conduct, as well as our innovative WORD literacy programme.

“We are all very proud of this result. This success will only add to the excitement of moving into our brand new building in September. As we near the end of the academic year, it is wonderful to end on such a high note and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in making Harris Academy Beckenham an ‘outstanding’ school.”

The school was inspected on June 6 and 7.