Harris Academy Greenwich, Greenwich

Harris Academy Greenwich is a co-educational secondary school and sixth form with academy status since September 2012, located in the Eltham area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.  Principal George McMillan describes Harris Academy Greenwich as a ‘happy and highly successful inner-city London 11-18 school with a thriving 6th Form.’ The academy is a member of the Harris Federation, a group of 44 primary and secondary academies in and around London educating 30,000 young people. Each academy is led and run by its Principal; responsible for creating a culture that ensures the pupils get an excellent education within a happy, caring and supportive environment.

The smaller than average-sized secondary school, with an admission number of 180 for year 7, was rated as ‘Outstanding’ in all categories in their first Ofsted report as an academy in 2014. The Eltham Foundation School was previously rated as ‘satisfactory’ before converting to an academy. Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development were identified as a very strong feature in the school’s curriculum. Leadership and management skills of pupils were also assessed as outstanding, driven by the enthusiastic and inspirational partnership between the principal and executive principal and supported by skilled and committed school leaders who help drive improvement relentlessly.  Over 90% of all sixth form students went on to University the year prior to the report.

Streetspace Urban Structures stunning but functional TRITON canopy was identified as a cost-effective cover solution; providing a large open area with shade and shelter, allowing students to enjoy the breakout social and dining space all-year round.

Our great looking architectural design sympathetically complemented the academy’s adjoining modern school building. This included matching the umbra grey steelwork finish with the curtain walling detail on their existing building. The integral over-door section of our design provided additional canopy protection; sheltering exits and entrances without unnecessarily compromising light elsewhere. The potential hazard of ice forming in colder months was factored and prevented with our rainwater management system plumbed straight into below ground drains. Our package covered all groundworks, including special provision to reinstate a recently paved area in front of a new building. For a final co-ordinated flourish, street furniture was supplied; adding a contemporary feel to this smart project.

This impactful project showcases our technical ability and the quick installation, completed during a break in the school term, demonstrates how a transformative change, reaping considerable benefits, can be realised with minimal disruption to students and staff.

‘Our academy was fortunate to be included in the latest DfE Priority Schools Building programme, however, due to the stringent budget restrictions imposed the internal common areas were greatly reduced, including the dining area.

With a school roll of 1250 students managing dining on a staggered basis proved to be extremely difficult, therefore we investigated the possibility of utilising the external hardcourt area adjacent to the dining room.

Our concerns were ensuring that students were able to access the area without being open to the elements and also overheating in the summer months.

The Streetspace design team meet with the academy and designed the canopy to meet all of our requirements, including adding extensions to provide full cover over exit doorways and all rainwater to be connected into our existing drainage system.

The installation was project managed throughout and since installation, we have not had any defects or reason to call them back on site. The product is very robust, attractive and with the colour matching, they achieved to our external cladding appears to have been part of the original build and not an extension.

This was one of the easier projects to manage due the service and professionalism of the company from start to finish.’

Graham Cripps, Business Manager – Harris Academy Greenwich

Follow the link for further information on canopies for schools OR give our team a call on 01227 200404