Harris Academy (formerly: Kelsey Park Sports College; Kelsey Park School for Boys; Kelsey Park Secondary Modern School for Boys; Alexandra School for Boys.)
At the end of summer 1969 I began my secondary school education on this site.
The School had opened the year before transferring all the teachers and boys from Alexandra Secondary School based in Parish Lane Penge, to the grand location of Elgood Playing Fields in “posh” Beckenham and granted a name to suit.
Given that it has been fifty years since I enrolled here, and the fact that I hadn’t seen any of the buildings in over 45 years as the school is hidden behind houses and accessed by a secured driveway I decided to phone to see if I could enter the grounds to take a photo of the buildings. Here is the result.
Nothing accept the location and long access drive remain of the school I remember, but being there brought back memories of many of the names and faces of the teachers and boys I was schooled by and with.
Mr Lock, Lake, Rolinson, Howes, Duval, Mann, Davies….
The changes at the school should not surprise me – 50 years is a long time – but it I do regret the repeated changes of school name as it does break with the past. Indeed that is probably why the powers that be do it.
One day, one photo 
I was at Alexander the year it moved to Kelsey Park. I recall spending days carrying boxes to the new school, with the odd detour. I helped to make the round metal school name plate that went on the entrance wall. Certainly recall the teachers name you mention as most came from the old Alexander. Can’t recall the deputy head but remember he drove a blue Bristol sports car. Happy days
Chris Beasley
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That’s interesting Chris. My brother also moved with the school. Do you remember Steve Mansell?
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His sister went to Cator Park Girls School.
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I’m not sure about that Chezzie. Steve Mansell only had brothers – me and Jim. 🙂
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Ah! my mistake Pete.
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We were in the same class. Others in the class were Gary and Kevin Astles, Mark Watts, Peter Rowden, Peter Green, David Ackerman, Eric Barham, Peter Green, Steve Bray, Nicholas Richardson. I lived on Kent House Road so the school playground backed on to our garden. Good memories.
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