Jack Docherty

Mr Docherty is the Principal of Harris Academy Greenwich, leading a high-performing school with a strong reputation for academic excellence, equity, and ambition. Originally from South London, he graduated with a First-Class degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bath before beginning his career in medical research. Driven by a belief in the power of education to change lives, he went on to qualify as a teacher through the Teach First programme.

Mr Docherty joined Harris Academy Greenwich in 2011 and was part of the team that led the school from Special Measures to Outstanding. During this period of transformation, he held senior roles including Lead Practitioner, Head of Science, and Assistant Principal, with responsibility for teaching, learning, and staff development. His work helped to embed a culture of high expectations, strong pedagogy, and continual professional improvement across the school.

In September 2020, Mr Docherty was appointed Vice Principal of Harris Academy Ockendon, where he played a key role in driving rapid school improvement in a challenging context. In June 2022, he returned to Harris Academy Greenwich as Principal, bringing with him a clear moral purpose and a relentless focus on outcomes for all students.

Mr Docherty’s leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to social mobility and fairness, and a determination to challenge the low expectations that too often limit young people’s life chances. He believes that exceptional academic results must be matched by high-quality personal development, ensuring that students leave school equipped not only for examinations, but for success beyond the school gates. Under his leadership, Harris Academy Greenwich has achieved strong and stable outcomes over many years, consistently placing the school in the top 20–25% nationally, with outcomes for disadvantaged students in the top 20% of schools across the country.

Central to Mr Docherty’s vision is the belief that great schools are built by great teachers. He leads with high expectations, trust, and professional autonomy, creating a culture in which staff are supported, challenged, and encouraged to continually improve. As a result, Harris Academy Greenwich is a school where staff choose to stay and develop their careers, with a strong focus on meeting the needs of the most vulnerable students.

Mr Docherty is also deeply committed to the academy’s academic sixth form. He believes it should compete with the very best in the country, combining elite outcomes with a richness of experience that allows students to progress successfully to a wide range of future pathways. With a strong history of enabling students to progress to Oxbridge and other leading universities, the sixth form plays a central role in unlocking students’ futures.