English Teacher

With our Headteacher, Mr Arthur Barzey, winner of the UK’s top national teaching award - for the Times Headteacher of the Year 2022 - and a school that in 2021 was a Bronze Award winner for UK Secondary School of the Year, it is no surprise that Heron Hall Academy is becoming one of the most popular schools in the borough. This year we have also been nominated for the prestigious Education Business Leadership award for a UK Secondary School. Our Head of English is also a finalist for the Times Subject Leader of the Year, 2023.

Heron Hall is a place of love, respect and tolerance, a home away from home for your children, somewhere they will be safe and cared for. As you walk into Heron Hall Academy, I believe you get a feeling of pride, of being somewhere everyone matters, where no one is left behind and where every single student can reach their full potential. The magnificent building and facilities, added to the attitude and high aspirations of our staff, inspires our children to work hard and stretch themselves. We bridge the digital divide by ensuring every student a laptop computer to use at home, upon enrolment in Year7.

Making a real difference

Heron Hall is an inspiring school shaping bright futures. It is a place where students thrive and futures take flight. With a strong legacy of academic excellence and diversity, we are committed to empowering young minds. Our mission is to provide a nurturing environment where students develop essential skills and make meaningful contributions to society. Join our close-knit community and embark on an exciting educational journey at Heron Hall Academy.

Equality and diversity, a school for all

Led by one of the few black headteachers in the UK, there has been a sustained focus on equality and diversity since the school began. We have embraced the local community in developing a rich and diverse curriculum with books studied, for example, from authors from a wide variety of ethnic origins. Departments such as English incorporate literature from BAME authors into their KS3 units whilst History incorporates whole units on BAME, and specifically African history, to help our students see their own stories represented in what we teach.

Through links with many organisations we have been able to put in place numerous opportunities for students from BAME backgrounds in areas such as: workshops on identity, social media and relationships; role model workshops for boys; and inspirational BAME speakers for examinations and careers events. All students are expected to sign a diversity pledge, which focuses on ensuring that students no matter their background, race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation are treated the same at Heron.

Raising aspirations, career opportunities

Many of our students are unfamiliar with the opportunities available to them when they first start with us. Some will hold the belief that they are going to be unable to obtain places within competitive institutions or careers. Our careers programme helps to eradicate these views, with chances to attend workshops, seek advice from external careers advisors, and support with Sixth Form applications, as well as interacting with top employers and industry professionals. We have a particularly strong partnership with the Enfield Caribbean Association who organise an annual careers fair with BAME role models, from the Royal Air force to neurosurgeons. External speakers who have come to the school have included a High Court judge, one of the world’s top speech writers and YouTube entrepreneurs.

Ofsted

“Students and teachers enjoy positive relationships. This contributes to their good behaviour. They respond positively when given their tasks, applying themselves well. Similarly, they mix and chat freely with members of staff during social time in a pleasant and positive atmosphere. While they are well supervised, students very largely manage their own behaviours with aplomb. Students behave well in lessons and during social time.”

View Heron Hall Academy’s latest Ofsted report