Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery, Harlow

Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the early years arrive eager to begin their school day."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve in line with national averages in the phonics screening check and the multiplication tables check."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders set ambitious expectations for pupils to attend school regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate and informed understanding of the strengths in teaching practice and school development priorities."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders use clear systems and processes to identify pupils' needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and the areas that require further development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school promotes clear values to empower pupils."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers check pupils' knowledge, understanding and skill development consistently across subjects before pupils move on to new learning"; "Leaders should continue to ensure that pupils are ready to learn, taking pride in what they do and their achievements".

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of the staff and children, welcome to Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery. We are a thriving Primary School in a small estate in Harlow; a school that staff, children, parents and myself are incredibly proud of. Our children display excellent learning behaviours, showing resilience when facing new learning opportunities."

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 75% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 88% in reading and 88% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 26 families put Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery are Jerounds Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); Water Lane Primary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 60% reading, 48% maths); St Luke's Catholic Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 77% reading, 77% maths); and Milwards Primary School and Nursery (0.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 90% maths).

Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery is one of 9 schools run by Net Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 75% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery (as of April 2026): 96% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (96%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

32.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (50%), Mixed (9%) and Asian (8%).

The nearest railway station is Harlow Town Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Katherines Hatch (outside), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 217 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

Katherines Primary Academy and Nursery recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.