Governance & Scheme of Delegation (Academies)

Sponsor: Lord Harris of Peckham

I believe that a good education is the most important start in life we can give young people and our intention is that when all students leave, they will be well prepared to succeed in the world - in whatever walk of life they choose.

The Role of Governors

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 Emily Palmer via: e.palmer@harrisriverside.org.uk. Tel: 01375 802060

If you wish to make a written submission, please kindly address your correspondence as follows: FAO Mrs Elaine Forrest: Chair of Governors, Harris Academy Riverside, London Road, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1QY.

 

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://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/

 

The Governing Body of Harris Academy Riverside

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 Riverside are shown below. 

 

 

Name	Date of Appointment or reaapointment	Resignation Date	Term of Office	Appointed as	Business Interest	Number of Full AGB meetings attended during 2025-2026
Ms Nicola Graham	04/07/2021		4 years	Sponsor Governor	None	1/4
Sir Daniel Moynihan	04/07/2021		03/07/2025	Sponsor Governor	CEO of Harris Federation	-
Ms Rebecca Hickey	01/04/2022		4 years	Sponsor Governor	Employee at Hfed. Director at Farmington Trust	-
Mr Colin Edwards	01/09/2022		31/08/2025	Sponsor Governor	None	1/4
Ms Adeola Ogunseitan	01/09/2022		31/08/2025	Sponsor Governor	None	1/4
Mr Nelson Amunikoro	02/11/2023		4 years	Sponsor Governor	None	1/4
Mrs Emelia Kuagbela	20/12/2023		4 years	Parent Governor	None	0/4
Mrs Wunmi Oziegbe	20/12/2023		4 years	Parent Governor	None	1/4
Mrs Elaine Forrest	04/07/2024		4 years	Sponsor Governor	None	1/4
Mrs Rachel Sofianos	01/09/2025			Head of Academy	None	1/4
Mr George McMillan	01/09/2025		Ex-Officio	Ex-Officio	Employee at Hfed. Voluntary Executive Chair at Leaderbeing	1/4
Mr Tim Moore	04/07/2017	03/07/2025		Sponsor Governor
Ms Cheryl Sidaway	04/07/2025	03/07/2025		Sponsor Governor
Ms Hellena Crompton	01/09/2022	31/08/2025		Sponsor Governor
Mr Josh Ward	01/03/2024	14/07/2025		Staff Governor
Mr Andy Betts	04/07/2017	31/07/2025		Ex-Officio

 

Harris Academy Riverside Governor Link Reponsibilities 

Name	Repsonsibility	Academy Staff Link
Elaine Forrest	Safeguarding Equalities Attendance Science	Mrs McLean-Wright, DSL Miss Hughes, Senior Assistant Principal  Mrs Christie, Vice Principal  Mrs Loft, Head of Department/SENCO
Adeola Ogunseitan	Maths Medical	Ms Vellai /Mrs Roumell Head of Maths Miss Prainer, Medical Officer
Nelson Amunikoro	English Humanities Expressive Arts	Mrs Smith, Head of Department Mrs Shane, Assistant Principal Mrs Tyson, Assisant Principal
Wunmi Oziegbe	Languages  Equalities	Mr Goffard, Head of Department Miss Hughes, Senior Vice Principal
Colin Edwards	Technologies PE	Mrs Tyson, Assistant Principal  Mr Riches, Head of Department
Emelia Kuagbela	SEND	Miss Hughes, Senior Assistant Principal

 

Full Governing Body Meeting Dates

• Wednesday 24th September 2025
• Wednesday 10th December 2025
• Wednesday 18th March 2026
• Thursday 2nd July 2026