The Academy

Academies are schools for students of all abilities established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups with direct funding from the government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Academies operate independently of the Local Education Authority.

The Academy at Peckham usede Warrick Park School, but was reopened as an Academy thanks to sponsorship from Lord Harris.

All Saints Church has been working in the Faith Centre since the Academy opened. The school approached the church and asked us if we could provide a Pastor to run a programme out of the Faith Centre, to be involved in lessons, and to set up a mentoring scheme.

That was three years ago and our work within the school has become more established, and the work we do with some of the more troubled young people has been recognised by the teaching staff.

Academy Church - Wednesday lunch time

This club is open to anyone, whether they are already Christians or are interested in finding out more, from all of the years. This group has proved very popular with the young people, who continue to invite their friends along, which means that we now have over 50 students on our register, and an average attendance of 20 young people.

Drop in - Wednesday after school

This after school club is open to all of the young people we work with throughout the week and to anyone else who wants to come. There is less of a teaching element to this club and is more focused on providing a place for young people to come and talk through issues as well as play games. This club really aids the other work we do as it gives us the opportunity to develop our relationships with the young people.

Xtreme - Thursday lunch time (XLP)

The charity XLP organise this lunch club and All Saints play more of a supportive role. Xtreme is possibly the largest lunch club, and takes 40 young people between years 7-9 every week. Due to the fact that Xtreme is such a large group its really important that an All Saints member is there as it means that we can do any follow up work during the week.

Mentoring

We take young people out of their lessons for 40 minutes to do one to one mentoring. During these sessions young people are given the opportunity to look at issues they may be facing such as bullying, low self-esteem, and abusive family backgrounds. The aim of these sessions is to enable young people to be restored, so that they can achieve their full potential.

All Saints have also been involved in RE and PSHE lessons, at the request of the school and XLP. We have taught lessons on Easter, sex and relationships, marriage and several classes have done a church visit.

Other work that we would like to develop in the Academy

  • Personal mentoring - We would like to establish a mentoring system that could work on a referral basis. It would be especially for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
  • Transitional work with children from primary schools who will be joining the Academy.
  • Improve the liaison between the Christian organisations that come into the school - XLP, Greenhouse Schools Project (Camberwell), Gideon's Society.

More info

Photo: Sally Bryson

For more information contact:
Sally Bryson, Harris Academy Pastor

Testimony

Peter, joined Xtreme when he was in Year 7. Peter was unruly, lost his temper easily and found it very hard to concentrate during the talks. During one club he was particularly disruptive, and was very rude to several of the leaders.

That was over a year ago and Peter is still very involved in the programmes we put on. At the end of one club he confided in one of the leaders that things at home were very difficult. Peter is learning that Xtreme is a safe place, and the adults in charge can be trusted. This has had a huge impact on his behaviour. He loves getting fully involved in the games, pays full attention to the talks and is a very polite, sweet nature young boy. He has also entered into the mentoring scheme, which will hopefully enable him to continue to grow and deal with some of his difficulties.

(names have been changed)