Our Vision & Values

Adult life (to borrow from Peter Pan) is an 'awfully big adventure', and Harris Clapham Sixth Form can be be your launchpad.

From when you arrive after Year 11, you'll have just 22 months to get ready to step out as young adults. 

In those two years you’ll earn the qualifications that open doors, figure out your next steps, build friendships that might last a lifetime, grow your confidence, and discover more about the world you’re about to join.

You’ll dive deeper into subjects you care about, so you’re ready for whatever comes next. You’ll develop real-world communication skills – speaking, writing, reading – for all kinds of situations, from job interviews to university seminars.

You’ll explore a world of careers far bigger and more interesting than the classic “doctor, lawyer, plumber, teacher” list. You’ll learn how to work smarter and harder, so you can make the most of your talents and opportunities. And, most importantly, you’ll learn to take responsibility for yourself and for the people around you, so you’re ready not just to enter the world, but to help shape it.

The Clapham Character

We will help you gain and grow the key personal qualities that will help you for the rest of your life. Key qualities such as:

• being self-confident
• knowing your strengths
• understanding how to improve
• being open to learning new things
• and recognising that trying and failing is usually better than not trying at all.

It's what we call the Clapham Character and it means having the courage to step outside your comfort zone and do the right thing, even when it isn’t easy. It also means having the commitment to stick with challenges, work hard, and focus on long-term goals rather than quick wins.

Courage, Commitment and Confidence

Let's explore a bit more what we mean by our three values of Courage, Commitment and Confidence, and how they can help us face the adventures of life and thrive.

Courage

We step willingly into the unknown, understanding that there will be times of difficulty as well as excitement and joy; we accept responsibility, look to be leaders, and work hard for what is right rather than what is easy; and we face our own limitations, determined to overcome rather than excuse them, realising we're not the finished product but endeavouring to be the best possible version of ourselves.

“Courage is the most important of all virtues, because without courage, you cannot practice any of the other virtues consistently." Maya Angelou

Commitment

We are ready for a long-haul rather than a brief sprint and know that real achievement is worked for rather than given freely. We are committed to our own future and that of those around us and will not compromise what is true, or just, or kind for our own short-term benefit.

We know that actions speak louder than words and are prepared to be disciplined about doing our best each day until it becomes a habit. We commit to facing our challenges and doing our best to change things for the better.

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." James Baldwin

Our ethos deliberately focuses on challenge and development as we push ourselves and encourage each other to achieve, and we explicitly recognise that maintaining our mental, physical and social health is of vital importance.

Confidence

We are optimistic about our adventure and believe in both ourselves and others. We are neither naive, nor arrogant, but have a realistic confidence in our own, developing, abilities and in the support that we can get from each other and those we meet.

We are not dispirited by setbacks but see them as opportunities for new growth, chances to discover hitherto unimagined talents, and we are firm in our belief that together we can be role models for London and modern Britain.

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller