School Support Services

At Harris Academy Ockendon, the wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that good mental health is just as important as academic success, and we are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where every young person feels valued.

Our Senior Mental Health Lead, Miss Thompson, plays a key role in this work. She is responsible for shaping and delivering our whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, ensuring that students have access to the right support at the right time.

Miss Thompson works closely with staff, families, and external professionals to:

• Promote a positive culture around mental health.
• Provide advice and guidance to students and staff.
• Coordinate early help and targeted support where needed.
• Oversee staff training so that every adult in our community can play a part in supporting wellbeing.

Whether it’s through preventative initiatives, open conversations, or tailored interventions, Miss Thompson is here to ensure that our students are not only supported through challenges but are also encouraged to thrive.

Mrs Howard studied at The Ockendon Academy, and Palmers College, going on to gain a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature via The Open University, and the NPQLBC (National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture).

Her role within the academy is Behaviour Lead, and as part of the Pastoral team she contributes to the development, planning and implementation of strategies such as attendance, safeguarding, and behaviour management, with a specific personal interest in supporting students' emotional wellbeing. She is committed to encouraging the physical, intellectual and emotional development of her students to encourage and aid them to achieve their full potential. 

Mrs Howard actively upholds the Academy’s values of working hard, being kind, and taking responsibility, promoting the mission of ‘Enjoying being the best you can be’ whilst encouraging a ‘can do attitude’ amongst the students. 

As the Behavioural Lead she has expert knowledge and training in safeguarding and child protection guidance and policies and ensures these are implemented and followed at all times.

She develops and maintains links within the community outside school, ensuring professional relationships are formed with other agencies where needed, whilst also promoting partnership with parents and carers in order to support the students in their school journey. 

Mrs Howard works hard to build positive trusting relationships with students in her year group, doing this with professionalism and plenty of humour!

Mrs Jones joined Ockendon in 2014 as a Teaching Assistant, supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities via intervention programmes and in the classroom.  She went on to become an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) where she supported and assisted students with any emotional or behavioural needs. In September 2024 Mrs Jones joined our Pastoral team.

Growing up in East London, Mrs Jones moved to the local area 20 years ago, both her children have been educated at HAOC. Throughout her career she has gained various qualifications, after starting a career in banking. However, after having her second child chose to progress with a career focusing on student behaviour and wellbeing which began at Palmers College in Grays.

As part of the pastoral team, she manages attendance, behaviour, and student wellbeing.

Over the years Mrs Jones has maintained positive relationships with our students and their families. She is passionate about encouraging students to make the right choices and she promotes HAOCs values of 'work hard, be kind and take responsibility’.

Mrs Laybourn-Morris began working at the academy in 2016 as an Attendance Officer and worked closely with students and families.

She has always lived in the local area attending William Edwards Secondary School and Thurrock Technical College.  From there she progressed to a long career as a Criminal Defence Legal Secretary for 15 years.

As Pastoral Manager, she supports students alongside their Achievement Leader.  As part of the pastoral team, she manages attendance, behaviour and focuses on pastoral issues and student wellbeing.  She works hard to develop and maintain good positive relationships with the students in her year group along with families and external agencies.  She also works closely with the safeguarding team and SEND department.

Throughout her career she has gained Level 2 Safeguarding qualification and is fully First Aid trained. 

Mrs Laybourn-Morris actively promotes the academy values of ‘work hard, be kind, take responsibility’, helping students to have a happy and positive experience during their time at Harris Academy Ockendon.

Mr Warren brought with him to HAOC, over 9 years’ experience working in behavioural and pastoral roles as well as 15 years’ experience working with young people through coaching sports.

After studying Sports Coaching at the University of Roehampton Mr Warren continued to coach football, at both youth and adult levels and currently holds UEFA B coaching license.

His career in education led him to work closely with students who have SEND and behavioural needs, gaining experience working in the London and Kent areas supporting these students from a range of different backgrounds.

As the Pastoral Manager, Mr Warren is there to support students alongside their Achievement Leader. Within the pastoral team, he focuses on pastoral issues and wellbeing to support students with their self-esteem and ensure this impacts positively on their academic and social journey.  He also manages the attendance and behavioural needs of the year group.

Mr Warren is passionate about improving behaviour and promoting inclusion, to inspire positive perspectives and enable others to build long lasting behaviours that will improve their ability to maintain their mental fitness.

He sees great importance in building positive relationships and working closely with parents and carers to create the best possible solutions and habits for each student. 

Miss Green grew up and has lived in the local area all her life, attending secondary school at Emerson Park Seniors in Hornchurch.

She has worked in a number of fields, beginning in her Father’s Greengrocer’s shop as a child, going on to work for a publishing company in London after finishing college.

Miss Green began working here in 2011 as part of the administrative team, during which time she gained a wealth of experience in supporting students and their families.  This laid the groundwork to allow her to begin a career in counselling, successfully gaining a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in 2019.  Miss Green is continuing her professional development by currently studying for her Level 5 Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, both qualifications are accredited by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).  She is also a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) which is the recognised ethical framework that supports her in her work as a professional therapeutic counsellor. 

As school counsellor Miss Green works closely with the pastoral and safeguarding teams in ensuring our students’ positive mental health is always supported. She is passionate and enthusiastic about her role, using a humanistic approach to enable young people to think about their feelings and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions, with the emphasis being on self-development and achieving their highest potential.

Miss Green provides support to students individually as well as in small groups, and is available to help with a range of issues such as stress and anxiety, grief and loss, depression, family or home concerns, anger management, sexuality, exam stress, relationship issues, fears and phobias, self-harm, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Whatever challenges our students may be experiencing, speaking about them in therapy is the start of these challenges having less impact on their lives.  Miss Green’s role is vital in bringing about effective change and encouraging positive mental health.  She provides a safe and non-judgemental environment offering young people unconditional positive regard and empathy as they grow and develop. This can lead to greater insight, healing and progress.  A person’s early experiences, both negative and positive, can impact on their present way of thinking, behaving and relating to others, therefore it is important to help to make those links between past and present to increase self-awareness and bring about change.

Mrs Adams is a local resident and has worked in Education since 2001 when she joined Thurrock Council’s Education Welfare Service as an Education Welfare Officer.  Mrs Adams has gained a wealth of knowledge in promoting inclusion, so children engage positively with their learning and education. 

In 2008 she joined Ockendon as a Home School Liaison Officer.  Her role involves working closely with parents and carers to gain a better understanding of the problems that may be affecting their child’s attendance and implementing strategies, so these problems are resolved and as a result students attend well.  

This work helps students, and their families understand the importance of regular attendance at school as well as aid the development of character and resilience. 

Her input allows her to build positive relationships and instil confidence in the families she supports. 

Harris Academy Ockendon are proud to introduce you to our school dogs. 

This is Nellie.

Nellie is a Cairn Terrier, a breed originally from the Scottish Highlands.  Weighing in at approximately 8kg, she is very gentle and calm.

This is Bear.

He is a ‘Golden Doodle’, a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle.  At around 43kg he is a gentle giant, a huge bundle of licks and love.

Repeated studies show that school dogs can have an enormously positive impact on a school.  Nellie and Bear have been prioritised to the Senior Leadership Team, SEN department and Pastoral Team who use them to work with some of our more vulnerable students.  Children experiencing emotional trauma or struggling to cope with autism or other learning issues often find the company of a dog to be transformative.  Nellie and Bear are often taken for short walks by students and read to by reluctant readers; they listen patiently in therapy sessions and help to de-escalate anxious students.

We have of course completed a risk assessment to make sure their presence is a safe one – measures are in place such as hand washing and an adult will always be present.  Both Nellie and Bear are described as ‘hypo-allergenic’ which reduces the risk of allergic reactions considerably.  However, we do take appropriate measures to ensure that anyone with an allergy is kept away from them.

Similarly, if a child has a genuine dog phobia, we either make sure they have no contact, or we try to help by using our counsellor with Nellie and Bear to overcome this anxiety. 

Nellie and Bear have made many new friends since joining the academy and are always looking forward to making new ones.