Do you know that Harris Science Academy East London is on a mission? The school helps children become leaders. Many lead in science. The goal is for Harris Science Academy East London to be one of the top schools in the UK.
Harris Science Academy East London is a coeducational secondary free school. It has specialist status in science and language. It is located in the London boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets.
Originally, the school was known as East London Science School ELSS. David Perks founded it in 2013. The school’s first location was the Clock Mill on Three Mills Island. The new building is being built by Berkeley Homes. It is part of the Twelvetrees Park development project.
In September 2022, the school joined the Harris Federation. It was then given its current name Harris Science Academy East London. The Harris Federation is a multi-academy trust. It has schools in London and Essex.
East London Science School opened on September 2 2013. Founder David Perks wanted to provide a rigorous education. This was for students regardless of academic aptitude. The school faced local opposition before opening. Funds for the school were withdrawn until admissions closed. Plans lacked a playground. This made gaining approval difficult. The school was housed in the Clock Mill. This Grade II listed building is on Three Mills Island. The London Legacy Development Corporation chose this site.
A permanent site and sixth form education were expected within two years. The sixth form opened by 2015. Dennis Hayes was the first chairman elected in January 2014.
Harris Science Academy East London gained a good Ofsted grade in 2015. Negotiations for a permanent site were ongoing. The Minister of State for School Standards visited in March 2015. He suggested the school encourage neighboring secondaries to teach core subjects. These subjects are computing mathematics and science.
In July 2015, the school was allowed to expand into the Custom House. This provided room for more students. The school’s lease on the Clock Mill was extended. The permanent site was decided to be built on Stephenson Street. This was part of the Berkeley Homes Twelvetrees Park development project.
October 2017 saw Beth Davies elected as Chairwoman. Her successor Adam Atashzai was a special advisor. He reported to the Prime Minister. The school’s first GCSE examination results were released in 2018. Grades increased in 2019. Ofsted reaffirmed their good grade after a brief inspection in January 2019.
In October 2019, the school trust faced accusations of mishandling funds. An investigation report was published in November 2020. It concluded that financial stipulations had been violated. Funds were misused. Salaries and jobs were granted favorably. A financial notice to improve was issued.
In 2021, Principal Perks defied government guidance on face coverings. In June 2021, Ofsted graded the school as inadequate. It was placed into special measures. Principal Perks took a leave of absence.
In February 2022, the Department for Education asked the Harris Federation to take over. The transfer received approval. The school began joining the federation. The financial notice to improve was lifted in May 2022.
The Department for Education confirmed the transfer to the Harris Federation on June 24 2022. It joined the federation on September 1 2022. It was renamed Harris Science Academy East London.
The school aims to provide rigorous education. This is regardless of background or aptitude. The curriculum is academic and centers around technical education. It focuses on mathematics and the core sciences. These include physics chemistry and biology. The language specialism includes French and German.
Harris Science Academy East London offers a free enrichment program. A minimum of 30 school trips are held annually. The curriculum is suspended for two weeks every May. This is for an enrichment fortnight. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award.