Potter Street Academy, Harlow

In its own words: "As I begin my third year as Head of School at Potter Street Academy, I continue to feel incredibly proud and privileged to lead this very special school community. Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to get to know our children and families more and more."

In 2025, 84% of Year 6 pupils at Potter Street Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 71% in reading and 84% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 18 families put Potter Street Academy as their first choice and 61 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 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 Potter Street Academy are Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Harlow (0.4 miles, Good, 90% reading, 86% maths); Purford Green Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 86% reading, 79% maths); Pear Tree Mead Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 74% reading, 89% maths); and Henry Moore Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 87% reading, 90% maths).

Potter Street Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Potter Street Academy is one of 6 schools run by The Passmores Co-Operative Learning Community, an academy trust.

15 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Potter Street Academy (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child does well at the school (93%).

In 2026, 46 pupils (22.8%) received SEN support and 17 (8.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Potter Street Academy has a SEN unit for autism: 8 places, 8 pupils on roll.

Potter Street Academy had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Harlow Town Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Larkswood (opposite), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 225 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Potter Street Academy issued 32 suspensions, 16.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Potter Street Academy are Passmores Academy (0.3 miles) and Mark Hall Academy (1.4 miles).