Governance & Scheme of Delegation (Academies)

The Role of Governor:

Within England, there are over 300,000 School/Academy Governors, who form the largest volunteer force in the country.

The roles of individual Governors, and subsequently members of a Governing Body, work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions such as:

• Discuss and set the aims and objectives for the Academy.
• Set the required targets for achieving those aims and objectives.
• Set the required policies for achieving those aims and objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress that the Academy is making towards its set aims and objectives.
• Finally the role of the Academy Governor is to be a source of challenge and support to the Principal, i.e. a 'critical friend.'

Governors and trustees are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school. Time and time again Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management - including by the governing board.

Strategic Leadership:

School governors  provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools and academies. It is governors who hold the main responsibility for finance in schools, and it is governors who work with the Principal to make the tough decisions about balancing resources.

The Academy Governing Body includes representation from Staff and Parents, as well as our Sponsor Governors. We are very fortunate to have an active Governing body who take a strategic role in ensuring the Academy provides the best possible provision for our learners.

The Chair of the Academy Governing Body at Harris Academy Ockendon is Mrs Elaine Forrest.  Mrs Forrest is also the Safeguarding Governor.

To contact our Chair of Governors, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body: Mrs Helen Smith via: H.Smith@harrisockendon.org.uk
Tel: 01708 851661

If you wish to make a written submission, please kindly address your correspondence as follows: FAO Mrs Elaine Forrest: Chair of Governors, Harris Academy Ockendon, Erriff Drive, South Ockendon, Essex, RM15 5AY.

Get Information About Schools (GIAS)

GIAS is the Department for Education’s register for several organisation types and where information on organisations is recorded and maintained.

GIAS is used by the department and key partners to contact establishments, update systems, perform analysis and inform policy decisions, some of which carry funding implications.

To view their webpage please click on the following link: https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/

The Governing Body of Harris Academy Ockendon:

The Academy is a member of the Harris Federation. Ultimate responsibility for the Academy rests with the Board of Trustees of the Federation, (Federation governance details and scheme of delegation can be found here), but much of the work of the Board is delegated to the Local Governing Body (the Governors of the Academy). Some Governors are appointed by the Federation whilst others are elected by parents or guardians of students at the Academy or by staff. The details of the Governors at Harris Academy Ockendon are shown below. 

Harris Academy Ockendon Governor Link Responsibilities

Full Governing Body Meeting Dates:

• Tuesday 16th September 2025, 10.00am

• Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 10.00am

• Tuesday 17th March 2026, 10.00am

• Tuesday 7th July 2026, 10.00am