Governance

Within England, there are over 300,000 school/academy governors. Together they form the largest volunteer force in the country. Ofsted has often noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management, including by the governing body.

 

Click HERE for financial information for the Harris Federation.

 

The role of governor

Governors work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions such as:

• Discussing and setting the aims and objectives for the academy
• Setting the required policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• Setting the required targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• Monitoring and evaluating the progress that the academy is making towards its set aims and objectives.

They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:

• Determining how the school's budget is spent
• Forming policy on the school's curriculum and collective worship
• Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline
• Making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe

Finally the role of the governor is to be a source of challenge and support to the Principal. In other words, to be a 'critical friend'.

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The Governing body of Harris Academy Rainham

Harris Academy Rainham is a member of the Harris Federation. Ultimate responsibility for the academy rests with the Board of Trustees of the Harris Federation (see the Federation's governance and scheme of delegation). However, much of the work of the Board is delegated to the Local Governing Body, comprised of the governors of the Harris Academy Rainham. 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 Rainham are shown below.

 

Our chair of Governors, Tina Staples, can be contacted via the academy address at: 

Harris Academy Rainham, Lambs Lane South, Rainham, Essex  RM13 9XD.

All governors can be contacted via Jane Thompson.  j.thompson@harrisrainham.org.uk

 

The Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Jane Thompson who can be contacted on 01708 552811 or emailed at j.thompson@harrisrainham.org.uk

 

Get Information About Schools (GIAS) is the Department for Education’s register for several organisation types and where information on other 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/

Name	Date of Appointment	Term of Office	Appointed as	Business and Pecuniary Interests	Meetings attended 2025 - 2026
Ms T Staples	01/12/2017 Second Term	4 Years	Chair of Governors,	Lord Harris Governor Harris Garrard	4/4
Mr Gareth Stananought	01/09/2016 Third Term	N/A	Principal	None	4/4
Sir Daniel Moynihan	01/09/2016 Third Term	4 Years	CEO of Harris Federation	Harris Federation	Visits discharged through Federation monitoring
Mr George McMillan	01/09/2025	4 Years	Assistant Director (East)	None	1/3
Ms Rebecca Hickey	01/04/2022	4 Years	Secondary Director	Trustee Farmington Trust January 2022	Visits discharged through Federation monitoring
Ms Judy Willett	01/02/2018 Second Term	4 Years	Sponsor Governor,	None	4/4
Mr Emmanuel Segun-Omorayewa	2/11/2020 Second Term Stepped down 02/07/2026	4 Years	Sponsor Governor,	Head of Finance Glory House Charity	1/4
Mr Alexander Dickens	03/03/2023	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	3/4
Ms Lisa McDowell	25/11/2024	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	3/4
Ms Maureen Harris	09/10/2023 Stepped down 25/07/2024	4 Years	Parent Governor	None	N/A
Ms Sophie Clark	13/11/2023	4 Years	Staff Governor	NOne	4/4
Mr Javier Sibaja	13/11/2023 Stepped down 31/08/2024	4 Years	Staff Governor	None	N/A
Ms  Stevie Lydon	14/06/2024	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	3/4
Ms Preeta Padda	06/11/2024 Stepped down 17/9/25	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	N/A
Ms Tereena Burman	13/11/2024 Stepped down 29/10/25	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	0/1
Mr Pascal Ezeabasili	6/11/2024 Stepped down 6/6/2025	4 Years	Sponsor Governor	None	N/A
Ms Sunita Jethwa	6/12/2024	4 Years	Parent Governor	None	1/4

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Governor Link Responsibilities

 

Governor	Link Responsibility
Ms Tina Staples	Equality and Diversity
Mr Alexander Dickens	SEND
Mrs Judy Willett	Medical Needs
Ms Lisa McDowell	Safeguarding

 

 

Becoming a governor

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children's education. The role of the school governor is demanding but very rewarding and is a good way to give back to your local community.

You don't have to have children at the school to be a governor. However, you do have to be over 18 and pass a formal check for your suitability to be within a school. No specific qualifications are required but there are certain expectations. What's really important is that you have energy, enthusiasm, time and a real desire to help provide children with the best possible education.

Governors come from all sections of the community and all walks of life. They can be parents, staff at the school, residents in the locality or representatives of local churches or businesses. It is important that you can work as part of a team and can give commitment to the school.

 

If you are interested in being a governor, please contact the school on j.thompson@harrisrainham.org.uk or telephone 01708 552811 for an informal chat or further information.