Leadership Team
Mr Handscombe, Executive Principal, is wholeheartedly committed to the idea that learning is amazing: since the end of last century he has taught maths to students both reluctant and enthusiastic across two hemispheres and four London boroughs. In order to broaden his scholarship he has more recently been developing a passion for 20th Century poetry and for catching up on reading the literary classics that passed him by whilst he was absorbed in the glories of algebra and geometry. Since 2014 he has been Principal of Harris Westminster Sixth Form and he is firmly convinced that the two years that students spend at Harris Clapham Sixth Form have the power to transform the trajectory of their lives and send them off on a rewarding and, at least mostly, enjoyable adventure (which is how he sees adult life).
Miss Heuston, Head of School, firmly believes in the power of a brilliant education to change lives and sees it as a force for social mobility. She has worked in several outstanding Harris academies from the start of her career and is deeply committed to working to improve life chances for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has been proud to work in vibrant and diverse London academies, and see students go on to first class universities and apprenticeships with the confidence to speak out and make a difference.
Miss Heuston loves teaching her subject, English Literature, and is continually inspired and amazed by the power of literature to speak to us about the human experience. Teaching remains an absolute joy for her and the best part of any day, as she discusses and analyses beautiful and insightful language with equally dedicated students.
Although she has worked in secondary academies, she has always enjoyed working with Sixth Formers the most because they are at such a pivotal moment in their educational lives, where thirteen years of learning in school culminates in decisions about what they want to do with their exciting futures. She is now doing what she has always dreamed of: leading a Harris Sixth Form on its journey to ‘be the best’.
Miss Buakuma, Assistant Principal, unequivocally believes in the transformative power of education. She has seen how education has provided her with opportunity, purpose, and deep meaning and this fuels her desire to see other young people experience the same. She is also passionate about supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve success and disrupt barriers to social mobility.
Fascinated by Psychology in 6th form, Miss Buakuma went on to study Psychology at the University of Surrey. She takes great pleasure in introducing students to a subject she perceives inherently sparks curiosity, self-awareness, critical thinking, and a changed worldview.
Ultimately, Miss Buakuma is a lover of learning. Her wish for every Harris Clapham Sixth Form student is that what may begin as a pursuit of knowledge towards a particular destination is transformed into being captivated by knowledge in and of itself. From here, students will have the chance to go into the world with confidence and thrive in any space they find themselves in.
