Harris Academy Ockendon, South Ockendon

In its own words: "Stay connected with your education! Everything you need for virtual learning is available at the link below."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our Sixth Form has grown in numbers over the years because of the high quality teaching and learning we provide as well as the pastoral care and support given by our Sixth Form team."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, swimming, dance, chess, Lego, cooking, book club and philosophy.

In 2026, pupils at Harris Academy Ockendon averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Thurrock and 47 across England.

47% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 46% in Thurrock and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 47.3.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.46: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37.7, against 52.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 265 families put Harris Academy Ockendon as their first choice and 604 named it as one of their preferences, for 236 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 48 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Harris Academy Ockendon are Park Academy (1.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 37.6); Harris Academy Chafford Hundred (2.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 56.5); William Edwards School (2.5 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 41.8); and Gaynes School (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.7).

Harris Academy Ockendon's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Harris Academy Ockendon is one of 59 schools run by Harris Federation, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.5 in 2024/25.

Of the 240 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 46% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 136 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 62% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 20% into work. 14% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

33.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (45%), Black (18%) and Asian (7%).

In 2026, 115 pupils (8%) received SEN support and 50 (3.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Ockendon Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Elmdon Road (eastbound), 120 metres away.

In 2024/25, Harris Academy Ockendon issued 168 suspensions, 11.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Harris Academy Ockendon are Dilkes Academy (0.4 miles), Bonnygate Primary School (0.4 miles), Shaw Primary Academy (0.5 miles) and Holy Cross Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.