Governance
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.
Policies & Documents
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 Riverside 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 Palmer via: e.palmer@harrisriverside.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 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://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/
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/carers of students at the Academy or by staff.
The details of the Governors at Harris Academy Riverside are shown below.
| Name | Date of Appointment | Term of Office | Appointed as | Business Interest | Number of full AGB meetings attended 2024-2025 |
| Rachel Sofianos | 01/09/2025 | Ex-Officio | Ex-Officio | Employee HARI | - |
|
Elaine Forrest (Chair, AGB) |
04/07/2024 |
Sponsor Governor |
Governor at HPAMA & HAOC Employee at PriceWaterhouseCooper |
4/4 | |
|
Sir Dan Moynihan |
04/07/2025 |
4 Years |
Sponsor Governor |
CEO of HFed Director at 'The Opportunity Trust', 'Harris Academies Project Management Ltd', and 'SLDT Teacher Training' Committee member at 'Youth Endowment Fund' |
- |
| Ms Rebecca Hickey | 01/04/2022 | 4 Years | Sponsor Governor |
Employee at Hfed. Director, Board memberand Trustee at Farmington Institute. |
- |
|
George McMillan |
01/09/2025 |
Ex-Officio |
Ex-Officio |
Employee at HFed. Voluntary Executive Chair at Leaderbeing. Consultant at 'WeareinBeta' |
- |
| Colin Edwards | 31/08/2025 | 4 Years | Sponsor Governor | None | 1/4 |
| Ms Adeola Ogunseitan | 31/08/2025 | 4 Years | Sponsor Governor | None | 2/4 |
| Mrs Emelia Kuagbela | 20/12/2023 | 4 Years | Parent Governor | None | 4/4 |
| Mrs Wunmi Oziegbe | 20/12/2023 | 4 Years | Parent Governor | None | 3/4 |
| Ms Amy Lacey | 09/06/2025 | 4 Years | Sponsor Governor | None | 1/4 |
| Mr Carlos Byles | 02/12/2025 | 4 Years | Staff Governor | None | - |
Governors who have left the Academy Governing Body of Harris Academy Riverside during the previous rolling 12 months are shown below.
| Name | Date of Appointment | Resignation Date | Appointed as |
| Mr Josh Ward | 01/03/2024 | 14/07/2025 | Staff Governor |
| Mr Andy Betts | 04/07/2017 | 31/07/2025 | Ex-Officio |
| Ms Nicola Graham | 04/07/2021 | 25/11/2025 | Sponsor Governor |
| Mr Nelson Amunikoro | 02/11/2023 | 23/01/2026 | Sponsor Governor |
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 |
| Elaine Forrest |
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