Headteacher's Welcome

Harpenden Academy is proud to be part of Scholars' Education Trust which is a growing Multi Academies Trust of local schools.  This is a large learning community that functions in what is best described as a large family. Each school in the Trust retain their identities but the central DNA of the Trust is shared across all the schools in a "brother/sister" relationship.  We work closely together and we are a large happy family.

We believe that that the children’s experience of school should be one of enjoyment, happiness and a very special time in their lives that fosters a love of learning but also happy memories for when they are older. We believe that Harpenden Academy is an incredibly special little school. I have been lucky enough to be a part of the Harpenden Academy history and successes since September 2016.  My aim as Headteacher is to make sure that every year our children have benefited from an exceptional education that develops them academically, socially and emotionally so they leave us ready for any challenges ahead of them.

Our Harpenden Academy staff are absolutely committed to all pupils, including those with additional need. The staff will always champion our children and go the extra mile for them in their learning. The staff are knowledgeable and ensure that they teach great lessons and are skilled at coaching and nurturing the children so they get the best out of their time in school and beyond out school gates. in providing an education that allows our children to grow into happy, knowledgeable and caring citizens of whom we can all be proud.

 We use our drivers of communication, diversity and first-hand experiences to make sure that the children school diet is not just a series of lessons but it is filled with as many leaning experiences as we can to make sure that the children learn really well, that they feel they belong and their happiness accelerates their learning.

Below are a few examples of what we do:

• Special days such as World Smile Day, World Peace Day
• Well-being and sports weeks
• Week long residential trips in Year 5 and Year 6
• Whole school Charity fundraising events as part of our Hearts and Minds project
• Sustainability week

My entire staff, teaching and non-teaching are invested in ensuring the children who come to Harpenden Academy are successful, positive and enthusiastic about their learning and their time with us which will enable them to be successful learners at all stages of their lives and grow into active citizens of the future.

We believe that our children are fantastic and we are all proud to work at this school and to be part of their lives in their primary school years.

Lisa Davies, Headteacher

  "Leadership is highly effective. The positive impact that leaders have had improving the school is very clear. The school is now securely good and improving."

"The headteacher has high expectations and wants the very best for pupils. Her vision is shared by the school's other leaders. As a result, the school has improved greatly and is now on a clear upward trajectory."

"Leaders have an excellent understanding of what effective teaching and learning looks like."

School Ofsted Report, June 2019