Harrisstjohnswood Reviews 

My son attended this school for two years – Year 7 and Year 8, and we had a great experience overall, both as parents and from his perspective as a student. The school’s administration was always hands-on and responsive with all communication. Homework was well-organised and easy to monitor online, which made things smoother for us as parents.

There’s a huge variety of after-school activities – from football (for both boys and girls), basketball, and table tennis to cooking classes, which my son really enjoyed. During school breaks, they run a football camp in partnership with Bloomsbury FC, which we found super handy. The school also has excellent football and basketball pitches.

Overall, it’s a really friendly and supportive environment. My son would’ve happily stayed at this school through to graduation if we hadn’t moved to the south of London just weeks before the end of Year 8 and had to change schools.

Many thanks to the HASJW team for all your hard work and support – and best of luck going forward!

HARRIS ACADEMY SCHOOL, ST JOHNS WOOD. LONDON
Review written February 2024.

I pulled out my child after two years. I was constantly being pressured to find a different school - so I did.

The first year wasn't too bad but the second year for no obvious reason was a different story. We were quite astounded by it all. Pupils would snipe, name call and racially abuse my child. There were aggressive tussles.
Disappointingly the teachers failed to act quickly regarding the bullying. The staff were ineffective and slow dealing with this.

The school pupil makeup appears to be approximately 85-90% muslim - mainly south / west asian persuasion. Quite common these days at inner city schools.
The shocking thing was senior staff were in denial, afraid to admit /see that there was pervasive racism prevalent. Sadly to our dismay : social cohesion - integration wasn't working .
It was not a happy, friendly, welcoming school for my child. A loathsome experience. ( on account of the bullying )
Academically on paper this school has its plus points.
However the hours are long for the pupils, the day starts at 8.25am and finishes at 3.50pm. It was a joyless grind.Most other schools finish between 3 and 3.30pm
Educational trips were none existent, fun trips, were rare.
The teachers were often apathetic.
The geography teacher was overly political in her views - a brain washing element
The pupils on occasion got too disruptive - stopping class all together.
Discipline is meted out for arriving late in the morning, a second after the gate has closed you'll get detention - guaranteed.
The school does not appreciate sloppy uniform dress or anyone with a missing pencil.

The building itself is quite spacious, modern and "new" and the grounds are impressive with plenty of green spaces, trees, table tennis and benches - but its not used to its full potential ( restrictive rules )

Lunch time break at the canteen could be disorganised with pupils q jumping, frustrating for the sensible ones.
Food on offer seemed to mostly be chicken, not a lot of variety or imagination.

Good luck.