Meet the Executive Principal

Mr McMillan is the Executive Principal of Harris Greenwich, Harris Ockendon and Harris Avery Hill (opening 2026) and is a National Leader of Education (NLE). Originally from Glasgow, he graduated from Aberdeen University with an MA in English Literature, and then from Edinburgh University with a PGCE and a burning desire to teach.  Mr McMillan taught English for five years at a secondary school in Edinburgh serving one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, latterly having a whole school remit in charge of promoting positive behaviour.  Shortly after moving to London in 2006 he joined the Senior Team at Harris Academy Chafford Hundred and was part of their journey from ‘Requires Improvement’ to Outstanding in every area.

When Mr McMillan first took over the leadership of what is now Harris Academy Greenwich in 2011, it was in ‘Special Measures’ and inadequate in every area.  Within three years, the school achieved ‘Outstanding’ status from Ofsted.  For the last six years in a row, Harris Greenwich has been in the top 15% of schools in the country.

Mr McMillan has a Diploma in Educational Leadership, has the NPQH and is a Senior Practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). As part of his role in the Harris Federation Teaching School Alliance, he trains staff on the NPQML, NPQSL and NPQH leadership programmes.  As an accredited ORSC (Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching) facilitator he works with teams both inside and outside the Federation, helping them to become more resilient, sustainable and effective.  He believes that students should feel inspired at school and that teachers should be happy and highly motivated at work.  Having a safe and positive environment at school where everyone can have fun, work hard and thrive is a key part of the Academy’s success story.  Mr McMillan is "fiercely proud" of the students and staff he leads.