Harris Academy Ockendon

About Harris Academy Ockendon - a school that transforms lives!

At Harris Academy Ockendon (HAOC), we are passionate about three things:

1. Creating a remarkable school for the community we serve - a place where students are inspired, challenged, and supported to grow into well-rounded, ambitious, and successful young people, ready to put a ding in the universe. 

2. Your path to professional excellence - we believe in nurturing talent, growing together, and empowering futures. Just as we are dedicated to our students, we are equally committed to ensuring our staff thrive and have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. 

3. Work-life balance matters - being an exceptional school should not come at the cost of wellbeing. HAOC is a life-friendly school where teaching and leading with balance is a priority. At HAOC work fits your life. 

Being great at number 1 and number 2 should not mean we can't do number 3!

A school that inspires excellence

We are an 11-18 academy with a thriving Sixth Form, set in a modern, welcoming building designed to ignite curiosity and ambition. In February 2024, Ofsted rated us ‘Outstanding’ in every category, stating:

“Pupils benefit hugely from attending this remarkable school. Staff and leaders’ sky-high expectations are immediately evident in pupils’ scholarly demeanour. The school and trust have created a centre of true excellence. Pupils experience an extraordinary education at Harris Academy Ockendon.”

But what truly defines us is our culture. We help our students and staff dream bigger than they ever thought possible and support them in turning those dreams into reality. At HAOC, three values shape everything we do: Work Hard. Be Kind. Take Responsibility.

These are not just words; they are the foundation of a school where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to be their best.

A leadership team that believes in you

Our Principal, Ms Jo Rainey, is a leader who believes in transformation. Originally from Belfast, Jo took over at Ockendon in 2018, turning it from one of the lowest-performing schools in the country to one of the very best. With a strong sense of integrity, deep passion for student success, and unwavering commitment to staff and students, Jo has built a school that people want to be part of.

Our Executive Principal, George McMillan, knows that no school is beyond success and no child is beyond achievement. Originally from Glasgow, he has led several schools within the Harris Federation to excellence and Harris Academy Greenwich to world class status twice over, proving that high expectations, great teaching, and an ambitious culture can change lives.

Together at HAOC, Jo and George have created more than just a school, they've built a thriving community where students flourish and staff grow, finding purpose, progression, and fulfilment in their careers. This is a true centre of excellence, where every student is empowered to reach their full potential and every educator is supported to lead, innovate, and inspire.

Why join us?

• A high-achieving, inspiring 11-18 academy with a Sixth Form full of ambitious young people.
• A stunning, modern school building that provides an exceptional learning and working environment.
• An unbeatable location, just outside the M25, attracting staff from across Essex and London. Many of our team travel from Kent, Surrey, Southeast, and Central London because they love the school so much!
• A supportive, well-balanced working culture, where your professional growth matters, but so does your wellbeing.
• The backing of the Harris Federation, one of the most successful school groups in the country, while maintaining a unique and vibrant school identity.

The Harris Federation serves some of the most challenged areas in London and Essex, proving that education can change lives. While we share a collective mission, each Harris school has its own culture, its own identity, and its own way of making a difference.

Perhaps Harris Academy Ockendon is the school you’ve been looking for. If you’re ready to be part of something extraordinary, we’d love to hear from you.

Working at Harris Academy Ockendon has allowed me to develop my classroom practice through many CPD sessions provided by brilliant teachers. HAOC has many opportunities for progression and development such as the Lead Practitioner programme, which has helped me to become an outstanding classroom practitioner, observer, and coach. The staff at HAOC are supportive and I feel lucky to be a part of an energetic and passionate English department. Beyond the department, everyone in the school is clearly working at their best to provide for our learners and to create a smoothly run and harmonious environment.

^{Ms Ceco, Subject Team Leader of English}

Working at HAOC has made me realise the amount of progress a school can make when everyone works together. Staff here are incredibly supportive and thoughtful about each and every lesson they teach, building on the prior knowledge of our students while stimulating their intellectual curiosity. I am proud to work at a school that is serving their community as well as this one is.

^{Mr Alibhai, Teacher of Business}