An Ofsted report carried out in March 2016 rated The Priory School as ‘inadequate’,[1] in September 2016[2] and re-named Harris Academy Orpington.

In 2019 numerous Harris Academies were accused of 'gaming' the system through the practice of entering entire cohorts for the ESOL qualification, which is aimed at students who have English as an additional language (EAL), Harris Orpington entered their Year 11 cohort.

The spokesperson added that ESOL literacy skills were a 'useful preparation for English exams', giving students real-exam experience before GCSEs.

[6] Schools endeavour to get all students to achieve the English Baccalaureate (EBACC) qualification- this must include core subjects a modern foreign language, and either History or Geography.

To achieve this, students study French or Spanish and humanities subjects such as Art, Drama, Photography or Criminology in Key Stage 3.