Check against delivery. First delivered to NET Academies Trust 10th Anniversary event in May 2025.
One of my most enjoyable activities as former MP was visiting schools almost every week. It was a way to learn about education first- hand.
For this reason, I was really touched that Katherines Primary Academy And Nursery, part of NET Academies Trust invited me to the school to mark NET Academies Trust 10th anniversary in Harlow - a milestone that represents far more than just a decade of operation.
When NET Academies began their work in Harlow in 2014, they inherited significant challenges. Six primary schools, many in Special Measures, serving communities where educational outcomes needed significant improvement.
Today, every single one of those schools is rated 'Good' by Ofsted. This isn't just statistical improvement - it's systematic transformation.
What makes NET Academies different?
During my years as Harlow's MP, visiting these schools regularly, I witnessed something remarkable: a culture that combines high academic expectations with genuine care for each child's individual circumstances. Many pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds, yet the Trust refuses to lower expectations. Instead, they raise support.
Their approach extends beyond the classroom. They understand that educational success requires partnership with families and communities - creating networks of support that strengthen the entire local ecosystem.
Resilience in action
The opening of the new Katherines Primary School building exemplifies their character. When RAAC forced closure in September 2023, displacing hundreds of pupils and staff, the response wasn't to simply manage the crisis - it was to emerge stronger. The result is potentially the largest RAAC rebuilding project in the country and a state-of-the-art facility that will serve generations.
As we face ongoing challenges in education - from funding pressures to post-pandemic recovery - NET Academies demonstrates what's possible when vision meets execution, when high standards meet high support.
Their decade of success in Harlow offers a blueprint for educational transformation. A huge tribute to NET Academies Trust, CEO Joanne Coton and her team for extraordinary educational leadership. Jo is an incredible MAT head and I always felt inspired when meeting her.
