AN ACADEMY WITH THE VALUES OF WORK HARD, BE KIND, AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AT ITS CORE
A WARM WELCOME TO HARRIS ACADEMY OCKENDON
I’m Jo Rainey, and I’m proud to be the Principal of Harris Academy Ockendon, judged Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in 2024.
Inspectors began their report with the words: “Pupils benefit hugely from attending this remarkable school.” We are described as a “centre of true excellence”, and this is reflected in every aspect of our provision, from our high-quality curriculum and wide range of enrichment activities to our comprehensive careers programme and strong PSHE education. But what truly sets us apart is the powerful sense of belonging that defines our school culture. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive Academy, where every student is seen, heard and valued. We work hard to ensure that every child feels safe, supported and part of something bigger than themselves. Our staff are passionate and dedicated, going above and beyond to ensure no student is left behind.
This sense of belonging is not accidental, it’s built through strong relationships, high expectations, and a shared belief that every young person deserves to thrive. Whether a student joins us in Year 7 or later in their school journey, they become part of a community that celebrates diversity, nurtures ambition and encourages kindness.
What makes Harris Academy Ockendon truly special is our unwavering belief that every student can succeed. We encourage our students to work hard, be kind, and take responsibility, values that shape not only their academic journey but their character and future.
Ofsted praised our students for being “attentive”, “hard-working”, and for “taking responsibility for their learning”, noting that they “support and mentor each other” and that those with SEND “learn as well as their peers”. Almost all students are entered for the full suite of GCSEs that make up the English Baccalaureate, reflecting our high academic standards and ambition for every learner.
If you’re considering Harris Academy Ockendon for your child, we warmly invite you to visit us in person. Come and see our exceptional teaching in action, meet our dedicated staff, and experience the energy, care and sense of belonging that make our Academy so special.
We’d love to welcome you.
Ms Jo Rainey Principal
WORK HARD, BE KIND, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
We are driven by a bold and unwavering vision: to provide an exceptional secondary education that develops, challenges and empowers every student so they are ready for the next stage of life.
We are committed to shaping well-educated, well-rounded individuals who leave us not only with strong academic foundations but also the confidence, character and motivation to make a meaningful impact in the world, both locally and globally.
We nurture an environment rooted in trust, connection and belonging, where staff and students alike feel supported, valued and inspired. Our ethos is more than words; it’s a living culture that sparks lifelong friendships, shared experiences and treasured memories.
Central to our identity is the hummingbird, ‘The little bird of Joy’, symbolising our core values: Work Hard, Be Kind, Take Responsibility. These are the traits we believe underpin all personal and collective success, and they shape everything we do.
Our goal is to help students dream big, lead themselves with discipline, and act with integrity. We teach our young people to be honest with themselves, to take ownership of their actions and emotions, and to grow from setbacks. In every lesson, every conversation and every opportunity, we empower them to strive with purpose, to reach beyond their expectations and to live well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Through excellent teaching, cutting-edge research and a relentless focus on progress, we provide a vibrant and inclusive learning journey. Our support is tailored, our enrichment is wide-ranging, and our behaviour expectations are high yet fair creating a calm, respectful and joyful school culture. Harris Academy Ockendon is more than a school; it’s a place where students discover who they truly are and all they are capable of becoming.
AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION
We believe every child deserves more than just a good education; they deserve an exceptional one. That journey begins with a powerful curriculum.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to be knowledge-rich, broad, and ambitious, giving children access to ideas, cultures, and experiences far beyond the everyday. We want our students to be ‘in the know’, equipped not only for exam success, but with the kind of deep, meaningful understanding that lasts.
This belief sits at the heart of everything we do. From maths to personal development, our mantra guides us: “Knowledge is Power. We make it stick.”
When we decide what to teach, we understand that we’re shaping your child’s future. That’s why our subject leaders start with purpose: they carefully select the most powerful, specialist knowledge, drawn from leading academic institutions, to ensure every lesson is rich, meaningful, and impactful. But our ambition goes beyond academic success. We believe that access to this high-quality curriculum is a matter of social justice: every child has the right to access this powerful knowledge. We believe that by doing so, they gain not just qualifications, but the cultural capital and disciplinary understanding to thrive in an ever-changing world.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Beyond the classroom, we offer a wide variety of enrichment opportunities to inspire and develop the whole child. These experiences are embedded within our curriculum offer and provide students with the chance to explore new interests, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their community.
Our enrichment programme includes activities such as clubs, educational visits, guest speakers, workshops, and community projects, all designed to complement academic learning and broaden students’ horizons.
At Harris Academy Ockendon, we are proud to offer a curriculum that opens doors, raises aspirations, and helps every student become the best version of themselves.
INCLUSION, SUPPORT AND WELLBEING
We believe that young people learn best when they feel safe, supported, and valued, and we are committed to creating an environment where every student can thrive academically, emotionally, socially, and with a strong sense of belonging.
Our approach is proactive and inclusive. Through a combination of high-quality pastoral care, targeted support services, and a carefully designed curriculum, we help students build resilience, confidence, and healthy habits that will support them both in school and throughout their lives.
In our school we want everyone to feel like they belong. We teach respect and kindness at every opportunity and uphold the highest standards of inclusion.
We work closely with families, external professionals, and the wider community to ensure that students have access to the right support at the right time. Whether it’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, physical health, or personal safety, our aim is to empower every student to make positive choices, to enact belonging, and to know that help is always available when needed.
At HAOC, we want all students to feel happy, healthy, celebrated, and ready to achieve their full potential, both now and in the future.
AN EASY TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
We understand that starting secondary school is one of the most significant milestones in a young person’s life, a moment filled with excitement, curiosity, and perhaps a few nerves.
At Harris Academy Ockendon, we are committed to making this transition not just smooth, but truly empowering.
Our priority is to ensure every student joining us in September feels confident, supported, and ready to thrive from day one. We work closely with families,
providing clear and timely information to help them guide their children through this important change.
Together, we’re laying the foundation for a new and exciting chapter, one where our students can embrace fresh opportunities, and grow in confidence.
A THRIVING SIXTH FORM
We are focussed on supporting students to be ambitious and strive for the most aspirational destinations, whether that be University, an apprenticeship or a full-time work placement.
Our Sixth Form has grown in numbers over the years because of the high-quality teaching and learning we provide as well as the pastoral care and support given by our Sixth Form team.
Students at Harris Academy Ockendon are encouraged to enhance their academic qualifications through a wide variety of
extra-curricular opportunities that are carefully chosen in order to enhance the applications that they make at the end of Year 13.
Our thriving Sixth Form offers everything our students love about their education in an environment where they are treated as young adults.
A STATE-OF-THE-ART LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Over the years our school site has benefitted from a range of redevelopment opportunities.
Our Facilities
• Elite sporting facilities, with a heated indoor swimming pool so all students can have swimming lessons. We also have a sports centre with a fitness suite, a large sports hall suitable for football, netball, basketball and cricket, as well as a number of outdoor sports fields.
• A Centre for Technology comprising 3 workshops, a design studio, art rooms, a textile suite and food technology training kitchens.
• A dedicated English and literacy block, 7 science laboratories and 5 IT and computing suites.
• A drama studio, in addition to a music teaching space with 8 practice rooms and a fully equipped recording studio.
Our amazing facilities match our high aspirations for our students.
The Harris Federation is a not-for-profit charity with 59 academies in London and Essex.
The founder and Chairman of the Harris Federation is Lord Harris of Peckham. His vision of delivering happy and successful education is brought to life by an excellent team of teachers and leaders.
The Federation regularly tops academic studies and national league tables measuring progress and performance. Almost all Harris secondary academies achieve the highest ratings from Ofsted.
ADMISSIONS BEING A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Harris secondary academies are known for combining traditional standards of manners, discipline and uniform with the best of modern teaching and technology. Across the academies, there are around four applications from parents for every place available.
In addition to running schools, the Harris Federation provides high-quality training and professional development for teachers throughout this part of England.
Follow @HarrisFed on to stay updated.
There are 240 places available in Year 7 every September and applications are made through Thurrock council’s coordinated admissions process.
We welcome all students and make sure the correct support is put in place for each student where necessary. Distance from home to the academy is used to allocate places with students living closest to the academy being given higher priority.
If you are interested in a place, please come to one of our Open Events. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.
Our full admissions policy – together with the dates of our Open Events – are set out on our website.
