Welcome to Harris Lowe Academy Willesden

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Welcome from the Principal

It is a great privilege to lead the new Harris Lowe Academy Willesden; the fantastic staff and students really exemplify our Harris Federation values and it is a place of real learning for all. We are all excited at the possibilities for the future where the very best work of Capital City joins with the outstanding work of the Harris Federation. Every single day our academy community works hard together to achieve the very best in teaching and learning and ensure that we offer an exceptional ...

Josh Deery - Principal

2 June 2025EAL - Empowering New Arrivals, One Lesson at a Time In this article we spotlight the work of our English as an Additional Language (EAL) department, which is small in size but mighty in impact. Led by the dedicated duo of Mrs Mustafa and Mrs Ungurianu, this two-person team delivers exceptional support to our growing number of international students. Every day, Mrs Mustafa and Mrs Ungurianu run targeted EAL intervention classes designed to help students who are new to English, many of whom arrive throughout the school year and begin at Stage A (new to English). To ease their transition, these students take part in six-week EAL Induction Programme, where they attend a tailored curriculum focused on English acquisition. During this time, they participate in selected mainstream lessons such as Maths, Art, PE, MFL, and Cooking, while receiving intensive language support in place of other subjects. Once students complete the induction, they gradually integrate into more mainstream subjects like English, RE, History, and Geography. For students in Key Stage 4, the EAL team also provides guidance in selecting options that are less language-intensive, such as Cooking, Textiles, and Art, and supports them in Functional Skills English. Additionally, many students have the opportunity to take a GCSE in their home language through the Community Languages programme. Strong sense of community Assessment is a cornerstone of the department’s approach. Students are assessed upon arrival to determine their English proficiency, and a detailed student profile is created and shared with all staff. This ensures that every teacher is equipped to support EAL learners effectively. Staff also benefit from specialised CPD sessions focused on differentiation strategies for EAL students. To further enhance learning, the school has invested in Learning Island, a powerful AI-driven platform that supports English learning both in school and at home. Mrs Mustafa and Mrs Ungurianu use it in their lessons, and mainstream teachers can also create tailored resources for their students. Alongside this, the EAL classroom is stocked with a wide range of engaging books and dictionaries, including the popular English File series. But the EAL department’s impact goes far beyond academics. They foster a strong sense of community and belonging by organising cultural celebrations such as Eid and Christmas, educational trips to Parliament, and even tree-planting activities - all of which help students feel seen, valued, and connected. The EAL department at HLAW is a shining example of what inclusive, student-centred education looks like. Their commitment, creativity, and care make a lasting difference in the lives of every student they support. What our EAL students say... Don’t just take our word for it - read the student testimonials below. Their voices speak volumes. Isaac from Brazil: “The EAL department helped me improve my English by being patient and helpful. They were so kind. Now I can talk and speak English. The most helpful support I received was when I started the school because I was very shy. I remember a lesson where I felt proud because I did my first speech in English. I want others to know that the EAL department is so good and helpful.” Isaac, do Brasil: "O departamento de EAL me ajudou a melhorar meu inglês sendo paciente e prestativo. Eles foram muito gentis. Agora eu consigo conversar e falar inglês. O apoio mais útil que recebi foi quando comecei na escola, porque eu era muito tímido. Lembro de uma aula em que me senti orgulhoso porque fiz meu primeiro discurso em inglês. Quero que outras pessoas saibam que o departamento de EAL é muito bom e prestativo." Scarleth from Ecuador: “Now I can speak and write better in class thanks to lessons and reading support that Ms U and Ms M helped me. I really appreciated it when the EAL teacher helped me with clear instructions because sometimes it was more hard. I remember a lessons when I felt proud because Ms U and Ms M gave me encouragement and reading support because we work in small groups. I enjoy EAL lessons because I’m progressing. Teachers should understand that EAL support helps students by making students feel confident.” Scarleth, de Ecuador: "Ahora puedo hablar y escribir mejor en clase gracias a las lecciones y al apoyo en lectura que me dieron la profesora U y la profesora M. Agradecí mucho cuando la profesora de EAL me ayudó con instrucciones claras porque a veces era más difícil. Recuerdo una clase en la que me sentí orgullosa porque la profesora U y la profesora M me dieron ánimo y apoyo en lectura, ya que trabajamos en grupos pequeños. Disfruto las clases de EAL porque estoy progresando y siempre me siento segura. Los profesores deben entender que el apoyo de EAL ayuda a los estudiantes al hacer que aprendan."

23 May 2025Latest Newsletter - May 2025 - Download HereClick on the image below to download issue four of our school newsletter.

7 May 2025Enrichment Clubs Summer 2025 - Download the Latest ListHarris Lowe Academy Willesden offers a wide range of enrichment and extension activities before school, lunchtime and at the end of the school day. Click HERE to view the Latest Enrichment Calendar - Summer 2025. We are delighted to be able to offer a wide range of different clubs. We host clubs every day of the week, from basketball to chess, girls' football to dungeons and dragons, school production to art. If there is any club/activity that you would like the academy to consider running please do contact us.

1 April 2025Latest Newsletter - April 2025 - Download HereClick on the image below to download issue four of our school newsletter.

11 February 2025Latest Newsletter - February 2025 - Download HereClick on the image below to download issue three of our new school newsletter.

17 January 2025Download Our Ofsted Report Here - "Good in All Areas"I am pleased to inform you that, following an inspection in November 2024, Ofsted inspectors have judged Harris Lowe Academy Willesden to be good in all areas. This marks the Academy’s first inspection since joining the Harris Federation in September 2023. Click HERE to view the report or visit our page on the Ofsted website. Throughout their report, the inspectors have praised our learning environment, our students’ behaviour and their attitudes to learning, as well as the improvements made to the Academy’s quality of education since the last Ofsted inspection. Inspectors have complimented the broad and ambitious curriculum we offer, the depth of subject knowledge displayed by our teachers, and our careers programme which they concluded leads students to be successfully prepared for their next steps after leaving the Academy. Below are some of the highlights of the report but I would encourage you to read the full report, which you can read here. I am so proud of our students who were fantastic ambassadors for the Academy throughout the inspection, and I look forward to building on this success as we continue to drive improvement in all areas. Thank you as always for your continued support of your child’s education and our Academy. Yours sincerely, Josh Deery, Principal On our positive Academy environment ‘The school fosters a sense of belonging, mutual respect and ambition’ ‘Pupils are happy, make friends easily and enjoy learning’ Students ‘respond positively to the school’s high expectations’ On our students’ attitudes to learning ‘Pupils achieve well’ ‘Pupils are regularly focused in class and disruption to learning is rare’ ‘Pupils who study GCSE English… write with fluency and accuracy’ ‘Sixth form students are mature and work hard’ On our expansive academic curriculum ‘The school has also improved the quality of education’ ‘The curriculum is ambitious and outlines clearly what pupils should learn and when’ ‘The school arranges educational outings that expand pupils’ understanding of subjects’ On our excellent team of staff ‘Teacher subject knowledge shines through in the sixth form, where students are supported by subject experts’ ‘Staff are proud to work at the school’ On how we prepare our students for life beyond the Academy ‘Pupils… are prepared successfully for their next academic steps’ ‘The school organises a comprehensive careers programme which raises pupils’ professional aspirations’ ‘Pupils in examination years are given focused and effective support’ Click HERE to view our page on the Ofsted website.

9 January 2025West Side Story - Harris Lowe Performance Company, 11th-12th FebruaryHarris Lowe Performance Company (HLPC) presents Music by Leonard Bernstein. Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 7pm Wednesday 12th February 2025 at 7pm Tickets: Harris Lowe students - £3 Members of the public - £4 Available from Parent Pay or cash payment West Side Story School Edition is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com

17 December 2024Latest Newsletter - December 2024 - Download HereClick on the image below to download issue two of our new school newsletter.

5 December 2024Piano Lessons From £7 Per Session - Sign Up HereProgress4Youth is working in partnership with Harris Lowe Academy Willesden to offer fun-filled, cost effective piano tuition, starting from just £7 per session. Sessions will take place during your child’s school day between 9:00am - 3:00pm. We would love your child to partake in our sessions from January 2025. We believe that introducing your child to the world of music through piano lessons can have a profoundly positive impact on their overall development. Sessions are available for children in Years 7-11 and suitable for beginners to grade 5. Progress4Youth's mission is to prepare children for graded piano with the accredited exam boards: ABRSM, Trinity. Session prices Level 1: £7 per 20 min, £35 per 5 weeks (paired sessions) Level 2: £15 per 20 min, £75 per 5 weeks (1-1 sessions) Level 3: £23 per 30 min, £115 per 5 weeks (1-1 sessions) How to sign up Click HERE to complete an online enrolment link. Enrolment deadline: Tuesday 31st December 2024. Following the enrolment deadline, we will send welcome/payment details via email. If you need support filling in your child's enrolment form please contact progress4youthc.i.c@gmail.com. We are excited about the possibility of working with your child and helping them embark on a musical journey that is both enriching and enjoyable. Together we can inspire youth through music!

18 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadpic.twitter.com/kPT8lltl02— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 18, 2024

18 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadTeachers and support staff began the day with smiles and raised money for charity at the gate pic.twitter.com/oiYb6SXPwD— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 18, 2024

18 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadFrom Albania 🇦🇱 to Bulgaria 🇧🇬 & Romania 🇷🇴 the children danced and celebrated their personal journeys and heritage pic.twitter.com/FD5aWEuc5u— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 18, 2024

18 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadSuch a glorious and colourful collection of students today celebrating their and our cultures - From Brazil to Somalia; from Jamaica 🇯🇲 to Scotland with Mr Pittaway’s kilt. pic.twitter.com/0QYnrIs4z2— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 18, 2024

18 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadpic.twitter.com/lfTBgesDtZ— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 18, 2024

15 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadHere we are casually meeting the Prince of Wales and playing some non contact NFL American football 🏈 @HarrisFed @NFLFLAG https://t.co/X3fOwWwFmW— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 15, 2024

15 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadHLAW with @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/GuTXIQrzeS— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 15, 2024

15 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcadIt’s #BlackHistoryMonth2024 and our canteen is decked out in style, with different African and Caribbean inspired cuisines each day, building up to our big celebration on Friday 🇸🇴 🇯🇲 🇩🇴 🇬🇭🇳🇬 🇰🇪 🇸🇩 🇱🇨 🇲🇦 🇱🇾 🇪🇬 🇩🇿 🇸🇸 🇹🇹 What are other @HarrisFed academies doing for #BHM? pic.twitter.com/ddiiGIvNnG— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 15, 2024

15 October 2024@HarrisLoweAcad@NFLFLAG— Harris Lowe Academy Willesden (@HarrisLoweAcad) October 15, 2024