House System

The Academy House System promotes a sense of belonging and is a commitment to building a community, knowing every child individually fostering team spirit, collective responsibility, friendly competition and care for others. It is built on the two core principles of participation and leadership. The Academy House system underpins our behaviour for learning policy, ethos and values.

We have 8 houses which are named after local inspirational people (chosen by our students) who are representative of our diverse community. They epitomise the academy values and have made, or are making, significant contributions to their communities. All students and members of staff will be committed to a house throughout their time at Harris Academy Ockendon. House points will be earned for exemplary behaviour, learning, sporting and community activities.

Houses

COOK, Alastair

Alastair Cook is a former England cricket captain and played for Essex County Cricket Club.  He holds a number of English and international records. He is one of the most prolific batsmen of the modern era as the fifth highest test run scorer of all time. 

Alastair Cook had a strong commitment to develop a culture of success and developed his character along the way. Alastair Cook had discipline, which underpinned his working and learning ethic so he could achieve greatness. He also embodies our value of resourcefulness; Alastair had the confidence to face challenges and be creative in facing challenges. 

NEWTON, Reverend John

Reverend John Newton had the courage to speak against the slave trade. The hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ was written by Reverend John Newton. ‘Amazing Grace’ is one of the most recognisable songs in the English speaking world with a strong message of forgiveness and redemption. He embodies our value of ambition as he was committed to developing a culture of success by speaking out against the slave trade. Newton encompasses our value of honesty through his actions later in life; he realised that he was committing sins and that he was going against God in which he was swift to turn this around. In Newton’s later life he had discipline, teaching himself right from wrong and creating an environment that was eventually joyful to work and learn in.

PULLEN, Eileen

Eileen lived in Rainham, Essex and worked for Ford.  She first started working at Ford in 1947 and retired in 1984. She was pivotal in the equality movement and achieving equal pay for women within the company. Eileen is immortalised in the film Made in Dagenham. She displayed many of our values including resourcefulness. Eileen Pullen and many of her co workers were very confident, creative and had the ability to embrace challenges, which gave women the equal pay act in the 1970's. Eileen Pullen underpins our value of honesty as her colleagues and herself wanted to be recognised as skilful workers, and be paid the same as men. 

STRIKE, Anne Wafula

Anne is a Harlow-based British Paralympic wheelchair racer. Her category is T7 Paralysis. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to disability sport and charity.

Anne won a bronze medal in the Paralympic world cup in Manchester 2007. Anne has not only focused her time on racing but dedicates a lot her time to helping others in other countries to achieve their dreams of partaking in Paralympics. Anne has also released a book 'In my dreams I dance'.

Anne underpins our Academy value of being connected; she has a social conscience, an understanding of the world and has a considerate approach to other people.

TUDOR, Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I delivered an encouraging speech to her troops in Tilbury on 19th August 1588, before they set sail for the Spanish Armada. As an independent and empowered monarch who fought against the patriarchal norm, she is highly regarded as one of the most important historical British figures.

Queen Elizabeth I underpins many of the Academy's values especially resourcefulness; she was very successful in being confident and creative, having the ability to embrace many challenges that she faced during her reign, especially as a woman in a male dominated society.

TOVEY, Russell

Russell is an English actor who grew up in Billericay. He studied performing arts at Barking College. 

Russell Tovey faced many adversities in his adolescent life and has used this as a platform to campaign for equality. He is known for his acting in Being Human, The Pirates! Band of Misfits and The History Boys, along with many more well-known titles.

Russel Tovey encompasses many of our Academy values but in particular, being connected and ambition. He has developed a lot of his time embedding a culture of success and has worked hard to be where he is. Russell is also very socially conscious and understands the world by campaigning for many LGBT groups. 

WALLACE, Alfred Russell

Alfred Russell Wallace lived in Grays from 1872 until 1876. He is associated with Charles Darwin for proposing the theory in the evolution of the species by natural selection; a contentious theory during the Victorian era where religious belief was fundamental to society. As a member of the scientific community, he rallied against this. 

Alfred Russell underpins our values of ambition, discipline and resourcefulness. He was very committed to having a culture of success within his work. His honest approach was recognised through his efforts in education and work, and he certainly knew how to embrace challenges.

WHITLOCK, Max

Max is a British artistic gymnast who was born in Hemel Hempstead. Max joined South Essex Gymnastics Club in Basildon.

He has won many awards, including being a double Olympic gold medallist from the 2016 summer games.  His meticulous and disciplined training regime along with a strong ambitious drive has led him to be the most successful British gymnast of all time.

Max encompasses all of our Academy values but in particular, ambition, discipline and resourcefulness.