Harris Federation Post 16: A Network Approach to Sixth Form Education

Harris Federation Post 16 represents something distinctive in the English education landscape: a coordinated network of sixth form provision spanning over 30 academies across south London and beyond. Rather than a single campus, this state-funded institution operates as the central hub for post-16 education across the Harris Federation, offering students access to a shared curriculum, resources, and pathways through multiple academy sites. With approximately 5,000 sixth formers educated federation-wide, the scale offers breadth of opportunity that individual schools cannot match. Entry is at 16, with students progressing to A-levels, vocational qualifications, or a combination of both across campuses in Croydon, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, and beyond.

The federation model creates an unusual educational experience. Students belong to a local academy, developing relationships with teachers and peers on a familiar campus, while simultaneously accessing the resources of a much larger organisation. This combination of local identity and network-wide opportunity shapes the Harris sixth form experience.

Mr Matthew Osborne leads Harris Federation Post 16 from the central offices at Norfolk House in West Croydon. The administrative base coordinates everything from curriculum planning to university applications across the federation, ensuring consistent standards while allowing individual academies to develop their own character. Some campuses occupy purpose-built facilities; others are integrated into secondary academy buildings that students may have attended since Year 7.

The Harris Federation itself was established in 1990 and now runs over 50 primary and secondary academies across London. The post-16 provision opened in September 2007, bringing together sixth form education under a unified framework. The ethos across all Harris schools emphasises aspiration for disadvantaged students, a mission reflected in the federation's consistent messaging about closing attainment gaps and widening access to elite universities.

The atmosphere varies by campus. Harris Westminster Sixth Form, for instance, operates as a highly selective institution in partnership with Westminster School, prioritising academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form in Croydon takes a different approach, offering vocational pathways with small class sizes for students who may not suit traditional A-level routes. Harris Clapham Sixth Form, which opened in 2021, provides 600 places across Years 12 and 13 in a newer facility. This diversity means students can find a Harris sixth form that matches their aptitudes and ambitions.

A-level results across the federation show considerable variation depending on which campus students attend. The data for Harris Federation Post 16 as a registered entity shows 35% of grades at A*-B and 11.6% at A*-A. This places performance below the England average of 47.2% at A*-B and 23.6% at A*-A, ranking the institution in the lower 40% of sixth forms in England (FindMySchool ranking).

However, these headline figures require context. The federation encompasses highly selective sixth forms producing exceptional results alongside provision specifically designed for students who need additional support or vocational pathways. Harris Westminster Sixth Form, for example, reported 32% of students achieving A*AA or better in 2024, with 42 Oxbridge offers that year alone. Meanwhile, Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form focuses on construction, manufacturing, business, and media qualifications for students who may be resitting GCSEs.

Across the federation in 2024, 29% of all students achieved A or A* grades. The average point score per entry reached 32.6, an improvement on the previous year. At least 46 students secured places at Oxford or Cambridge, with 41 of these from Harris Westminster. A record 51 students won places to study medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine, reflecting strong performance in STEM subjects.

The federation highlights its work with economically disadvantaged students. In 2024, 61% of disadvantaged students progressed to university, with 15% securing Russell Group places. This compares favourably to fewer than 20% of disadvantaged students nationally attending any university.

The curriculum spans 27 A-level subjects across the network, including Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese (Mandarin), Classics, Computer Science, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, Film Studies, French, Further Maths, Geography, Government and Politics, History, Law, Mathematics, Media Studies, Photography, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Spanish. Not every subject is available at every campus; some academies operate in clusters, sharing teaching across sites.

Vocational courses at Level 3 include Applied Criminology, Applied Science, Business, Health and Social Care, ICT, Media, Music, and Sport. T-levels are also offered at selected locations. Students can combine A-levels with vocational qualifications where appropriate, creating flexible pathways.

Teaching quality varies across campuses, as would be expected in any large organisation. Individual academies receive their own inspections, with several rated Outstanding or Good in recent years. Harris Clapham Sixth Form received Outstanding in all areas following its November 2024 inspection. Harris Academy Falconwood's March 2025 inspection found significant improvement across all areas since the previous assessment.

Class sizes and teaching styles differ by academy. The entry requirements structure ensures appropriate course placement: three A-levels requires a minimum of seven grade 5s at GCSE with no vocational subjects; four A-levels demands a grade 8 average. Students without grade 4 in English or Mathematics must resit these qualifications.

The federation's scale enables sophisticated careers and university guidance. The Harris Experience programme targets the most able students across all academies, providing cultural and academic experiences designed to prepare them for competitive university applications. This includes events at Christie's auctioneers, visits to the Royal Opera House, science events at Imperial College, and bespoke lectures at Oxford.

In 2024, destinations included significant numbers to Russell Group universities. Harris Westminster alone sent 22 students to Imperial College alongside its 41 Oxbridge offers. Across the wider federation, students secured places for highly competitive courses: Physics with Theoretical Physics at Imperial, Materials Science and Engineering at Imperial, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at UCL, Chemistry at UCL, Biomedical Science at Warwick.

The vocational pathways lead to different but equally valid destinations. Degree apprenticeships at Deloitte, UBS, PwC, and British Airways feature among the outcomes. Professional athletes have emerged from Harris sixth forms. Students pursuing creative and technical subjects progress to specialist courses at appropriate universities.

For students seeking Oxbridge specifically, Harris Westminster represents the obvious choice within the federation. Its 42 Oxbridge offers in 2024 reportedly exceeded Eton's total that year. However, other academies are beginning to develop their own Oxbridge success stories. In 2024, Harry from Harris Academy Ockendon became the first student from that school to attend Cambridge in the 70 years since it opened.

Entry to Harris Sixth Form is coordinated through a central system, with applications opening in October for the following September. For September 2026 entry, applications opened on 23 October 2024. Single Centre applications closed on 27 March 2026, with late applications placed on waiting lists.

Students at certain Harris academies, specifically Beckenham, Bromley, Crystal Palace, East Dulwich, Invictus, Merton, Purley, Beulah Hill, and South Norwood, do not need to complete the online application form. Instead, they meet with a senior staff member at their current academy to discuss progression.

External applicants follow a structured timeline. After submitting applications, students are invited to in-person meetings between January and April to discuss subject choices and predicted grades. Conditional offers are issued between January and June. Taster Days take place in July, after GCSE exams, for offer holders to experience lessons at their chosen sixth form.

Entry requirements scale with academic ambition. For three A-levels, students need seven grade 5s in full GCSE courses. Four A-levels requires a grade 8 average. Combined A-level and vocational pathways need three grade 5s and two grade 4s. Vocational Level 3 courses require five grade 4s or equivalent Merit qualifications. A-level subjects individually require grade 6 in the relevant GCSE, with extended writing subjects also requiring at least grade 5 in English Language.

Applicants aged 17 or 18 face additional scrutiny. Enrolment depends on Principal discretion and recent academic performance, typically restricted to Vocational Level 3 unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Support structures vary by campus but follow federation-wide principles. Harris Westminster maintains robust pastoral systems with clear escalation procedures, employing safeguarding and counselling trained staff alongside external support including counsellors, a school nurse, parent mentors, professional mentors, and alumni mentors. The Discover Programme operates in schools, and students who find it difficult to approach staff directly can use an online tool that prompts staff to reach out instead.

Harris Academy Greenwich runs a distinctive wellbeing programme with fully trained MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) staff offering six-week programmes in stress management. The success of this programme has led to students being trained to deliver peer support. Students learn to identify stress early and receive tools including mindful breathing, meditation, journaling, and mindful colouring. Apps such as Headspace and Calm are recommended.

Across the federation, on-site school nurses and counsellors are standard provision. Drop-in sessions at lunchtimes provide informal support alongside timetabled wellbeing sessions.

The federation approach enables enrichment opportunities that individual schools could not offer independently. Harris Westminster students attend events at Christie's and the Royal Opera House. Federation-wide sports competitions bring campuses together. The Harris Experience programme provides targeted support for students aspiring to Oxford, Cambridge, and other competitive universities.

At individual academy level, enrichment is substantial. Harris Rainham Sixth Form runs student-led clubs fostering leadership and creativity. Recent activities included a day at Stubbers Adventure Centre featuring kayaking, rifle shooting, axe throwing, wall climbing, and raft building. Harris Academy Beckenham offers robotics, film club, French conversation, frisbee, and girls' football alongside sports.

Harris Clapham Sixth Form has invested in fitness facilities including an on-site gym with treadmills, rowing machines, cross skis, and free weights, plus an activity studio for yoga and dance. A dedicated PE teacher organises fixtures and competitions with other Harris sixth forms.

Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form requires enrichment as a mandatory course component. Options include Art, Debate, Financial Literacy, Cooking and Baking, and Games Clubs. Harris Invictus Academy in Croydon provides activities ranging from sports to creative arts, specifically building cultural capital and skills including independent learning, creativity, leadership, and confidence.

The Harris Garrard Academy categorises co-curricular activities into Sport, Creative, Mindfulness, and Academia, encouraging sixth formers to run their own societies or support staff-led clubs for younger students.

Harris Federation Post 16's central administration operates from 4th Floor Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, West Croydon, CR0 1LH. The contact number is 020 8253 7777, with email at info@harrissixthform.org.uk for general enquiries and recruitment@harrissixthform.org.uk for admissions.

Individual academies maintain their own term dates, though these broadly align. School hours vary by campus. Students should contact their specific academy for details of the daily timetable, transport links, and local facilities.

Open evenings for September 2026 entry run across multiple campuses in autumn 2025: Orpington on 25 September, South Norwood-Beulah Hill on 1 October, Falconwood on 2 October, East Dulwich and Merton on 16 October, Bromley and Purley on 6 November, Tottenham on 11 November, Invictus on 13 November, Crystal Palace on 20 November, and Beckenham on 27 November. Some events require registration; others do not.

Performance variation across campuses. The federation encompasses highly selective sixth forms and provision for students needing support. Headline statistics for Harris Federation Post 16 as a registered entity may not reflect the experience at any individual campus. Parents should research specific academies carefully.

Not a single campus experience. Students choose a primary academy but may travel between sites for certain subjects. This suits some students who enjoy variety; others may prefer a more contained environment.

Application complexity. The coordinated system has different processes for internal and external students, multiple deadlines depending on the academy, and varying entry requirements. Families should engage early with the admissions team to understand their options.

No inspection data for the umbrella entity. Harris Federation Post 16 as a registered institution has no published Ofsted report. Individual academies receive separate inspections, so parents should check the record of their chosen campus.

Harris Federation Post 16 offers something genuinely unusual: access to sixth form education at scale, with the resources of a 50-school federation behind each student. The approach suits families who value choice and opportunity over a single, cohesive campus experience. Strong performers can aim for Harris Westminster and its remarkable Oxbridge record. Students preferring vocational routes find dedicated provision at Harris Professional Skills Sixth Form. Those wanting a more traditional sixth form attached to a secondary academy have multiple options across south London.

Best suited to students who are clear about their academic or vocational direction and can navigate a complex system to find the right fit. The main challenge lies not in academic performance, which varies significantly by campus, but in identifying which of the many Harris sixth forms matches an individual student's needs and ambitions.