Our History
Harmonize Academy grew out of the successful Alternative Education Project run by Liverpool Lighthouse from 2004. It started as a pilot scheme taking young people who were struggling in mainstream school and using music, arts and personal development sessions to engage their interest, build their confidence, improve their ability to communicate, express themselves appropriately and relate to others.
From 2005, the project began to take in learners aged 13-16 on a longer-term basis and worked with them towards GCSE –level qualifications in Performing Arts, Music Technology, Literacy, Numeracy and Technical Theatre. From 2004 to 2013 the project worked with more than 500 young people.
The desire to provide even better outcomes for the learners encouraged the organisation to set up Harmonize Academy where students could complete their compulsory education. The school moved to a refurbished building in the heart of Liverpool in 2013. Harmonize Academy Alternative Provision Free School was formally opened by The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE and the playwright, Jimmy McGovern on 1st May 2014.
2013 - 2018: During the five year leadership of the first Principal, Mr Stephen Daley, over 500 young people were enrolled at Harmonize Academy. The curriculum was broadened to provide GCSEs in core subjects and a wide range of vocational subjects resulting in 1,000 qualifications being achieved. A diverse enrichment programme was introduced to give students a taste of activities ranging from fitness to arts, music and well-being. The school was successful in taking referrals from across Merseyside, Cheshire and the Wirral. In March 2015, Harmonize Academy achieved an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating. The school was commended for establishing a learning community where students were able to build self-esteem and self-confidence, improve their literacy and numeracy skills as well as their attendance and behaviour.
In 2018, Mrs Marie McConville, Vice-Principal, who was involved in setting up the school, was appointed Principal. The ambitious curriculum was developed further to offer students the opportunity to achieve a broad range of academic and vocational qualifications. The extensive programme of pastoral support continues to help students make good choices and equip them with the skills required to negotiate the challenges of life. In January 2020, Harmonize Academy was visited by Ofsted again and continued to be rated ‘Outstanding’ after being hailed for ‘succeeding where no-one else can’.
Harmonize Academy is run by The Lighthouse Harmonize Education Trust. The Trust is continuing to look at ways in which the school’s model of alternative provision can be expanded and offered to many more vulnerable young people.