Serving our Community
As part of our comprehensive Personal Development and Enrichment curriculum, students at Harris Academy Ockendon are actively encouraged to participate in a range of community projects.
These initiatives are thoughtfully embedded into our enrichment timetable and take place during the academy day, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to get involved.
Our approach goes beyond the classroom, recognising that meaningful personal growth also comes from engaging with the world around us. By taking part in community-based projects, students are given the chance to connect with both the school community and the wider local area in practical, purposeful, and enjoyable ways.
These experiences support our students in:
- Developing a strong sense of social responsibility
- Learning the value of teamwork, empathy, and active citizenship
- Gaining confidence by contributing to causes they care about
- Taking pride in and respecting their surroundings
From environmental clean-ups and school improvement projects to outreach activities with local organisations, our students are already making a positive impact, and they’re loving every moment of it. The sense of achievement they gain from giving back helps foster a culture of kindness, ambition, and civic pride across the academy.
We are proud of the enthusiasm and commitment our students have shown so far, and we look forward to seeing how these projects continue to shape them into thoughtful, community-minded individuals.
Find out how we've been serving our community...
At HAOC, we are passionate about supporting causes that make a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and families both locally and nationally. Each year, our school community come together to raise funds for several fantastic charities through our Spring Raffle.
Our work so far includes raising awareness and funds for Young Minds, a leading mental health charity supporting children and young people, and Neurodiversity Action, which champions understanding and inclusion for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our students, staff, and families, we raised nearly £300, which was split equally between the two charities.
Both organisations do exceptional work promoting mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion, and we are proud to play a small part in supporting their efforts.
Our fund-raising activities have also benefitted Great Ormond Street Hospital, a charity that provides vital support to families and children receiving specialist medical care, where we raised just over £230.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated prizes, purchased tickets, and helped make these raffles such a success. Your generosity reflects the true spirit of our HAOC community — one that continues to care, give, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Together, we are helping to support the wellbeing of children and families in our local community and beyond.
We are proud to have a long-standing partnership with Thurrock Foodbank, supporting their vital work to help local families in crisis. We firmly believe that nobody should face going hungry, and our school community continues to demonstrate incredible generosity year after year.
To date we have raised an incredible 1.3 tonnes of donations since our journey began in 2021. Every year our contributions continue to grow, a truly fantastic achievement that reflects the compassion and commitment of our students, families, and staff.
- 2021: 355kg
- 2022: 240kg
- 2023: 305kg
- 2024: 400kg
During our annual campaigns, students and staff donate a wide range of items including tinned goods, mince pies, toiletries, and baby food. Families also make generous cash donations via ParentPay, while students support further by purchasing raffle tickets. All additional proceeds go towards purchasing even more essential items for the foodbank.
On behalf of HAOC and Thurrock Foodbank, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes. Your generosity has made, and will continue to make, a tangible difference to the lives of those in our local community and continues to support the invaluable work of Thurrock Foodbank.
HAOC are regular supporters of Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that provides vital care, resources, and advocacy for people living with cancer and their loved ones.
The Macmillan Coffee Morning tradition began back in 1990 with a simple yet powerful idea, guests would gather for coffee and donate the cost of their cup to help support those affected by cancer. What started as a small event has since grown into a nationwide fundraising movement, raising over £290 million for Macmillan’s essential services.
Each year, students and their families are invited into school to share coffee, cake and community spirit, all in aid of this truly worthwhile cause. On the day a range of other fund-raising activities take place including ‘guess the number of teacups’, ‘sweets in the jar’, ‘weight of the cake’, as well as a raffle and our always popular Staff Bake-off!
Thanks to everyone’s generosity and enthusiasm, our fundraising reaches new heights year after year, culminating in a record breaking £1,400 raised in 2025.
2025: £1400
2024: £1065
2023: £973
2022: £400
A huge thank you to all our students, staff, and families who baked, donated, and participated. Your continued support allows us to serve our community and make a real difference to those who need it most.