Keeping in Touch with Parents

Keeping in touch with your child's progress at secondary school can feel very different from what you are used to at primary school.

We know that communication and support between families and the school makes a real difference; we're committed to making it as strong as possible. Please see the information below on how we make sure we keep in touch with all parents.

The Form Tutor - your first point of contact

Your first point of contact will be your child’s form tutor, who will see your child on a daily basis and have an overall picture of their academic progress, attendance and wellbeing.

You can reach out to your child’s form tutor via info@harrisclapham.org.uk or you can call 0204 513 9350 and leave a message – please give your child’s name, tutor group and query. We aim to respond to all emails and telephone calls within 24 hours.

If your question or concern is more specific (for example, about a particular subject) you may be directed to contact the relevant subject teacher or Head of Department. For more serious concerns, such as safeguarding, you can speak directly to our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. See our Safeguarding page for contact details.

If you're not sure who to contact, please ask our reception staff on info@harrisclapham.org.uk or 0204 513 9350, and they will be happy to direct you to the right person.

Our home-academy agreement

We all want the very best for your child, and research shows that students thrive when parents/carers and schools work in partnership. That’s why we have a Home-Academy Agreement – a simple summary of what you and your child can expect from us, and what we ask from you in return, so we can support your child's learning and wellbeing together.

We’ll ask you to read the agreement before your child joins the academy and be ready to ask any questions you may have, and then sign the agreement either before they start, or during the first week of term. You’ll find the Home-Academy Agreement in the documents listed at the bottom of this page.

Parents’ evenings

You will be invited to the academy at least once a year for a Parents’ Evening, at which you will meet your child's subject teachers to discuss academic progress, behaviour and overall wellbeing. We'll let you know well in advance when parents' evenings are planned, to make it as easy as possible for you to attend. You’ll be able to ask questions, raise concerns and gain a clearer understanding of the curriculum and expectations.

Parents’ evenings help to strengthen the partnership between home and school, helping parents support their child's learning more effectively, and encouraging students to stay engaged and motivated in their education.

"I am very grateful to all of these teachers and the positive impact they have on my son's learning, confidence, and enjoyment of most lessons. Thank you for your dedication and continued support." Parent

Regular assessments

All students in the academy are assessed regularly, with a formal assessment twice a year. These tests aim to develop students' exam technique and enable them to demonstrate depth of knowledge, critical thought and, for many subjects, their practical skills. Most importantly, they are used to help gauge progress.

To keep you well-informed about your child’s progress, we will report back to you at two points during the academic year – one mid-year report and one end-of-year report. These reports will summarise the academic and non-academic progress your child has made.

MyChildAtSchool app

All parents have access to the MyChildAtSchool app, which gives you instant access to important information like attendance, behaviour, timetable and reports – all in one place.

Before you child joins the academy we’ll invite you to download the app and give you the necessary login inform. With real-time updates and secure messaging, it makes it easier to stay informed and involved in your child’s school life. See our Online Platforms - Parent Guide.

Parent Voice

Would you like to support the academy and have your say in how it is run? Then why not get involved in Parent Voice, the parents’ forum for Harris Academy Clapham. Contact Parent Voice at parentvoice@harrisclapham.org.uk or see our Parent Voice page for more details.

Regular newsletters and latest news

So many brilliant things happen across our academy – every school day! Our News & Highlights page of the website and termly newsletters make it easy to keep in touch with the bigger picture of what’s happening at Harris Academy Clapham, and all the amazing things HACL students are doing.