IT is all change at the top of two popular Old Harlow primary schools.

Vicky Early has left as headteacher of Harlowbury Primary School and Sophia Ovenlen will be leaving at the end of this term from her position at Fawbert and Barnard School.

In September, both schools, along with Tany’s Dell became part of the NET Academies group alongside five other schools in Harlow.

It can often occur when an academy group takes over, changes are made at the top.

Back in 2017, the head at Katherines Primary soon departed after Net Academies took over.

That same year, hundreds of parents at Jerounds Primary signed a petition against the school becoming an academy.

Parents at Fawbert and Barnard have followed suit and started a petition.

The petition states:

We are calling for a petition on behalf of some of the parent’s at Fawbert & Barnard’s Primary School Old Harlow, to be removed from NET Academies Trust.

We, the undersigned parents, carers and members of the local community, formally request an urgent and independent review of the above school’s membership within NET Academy, with removal from the Trust to be actively considered.

https://www.change.org/p/fawbert-and-barnard-s-primary-school-failing-under-net-academy-trust

A spokesperson for NET Academies said:

“Harlowbury Primary School, Tany’s Dell Primary School, and Fawbert and Barnard’s Primary School joined the NET Academies Trust family of schools last year and we are delighted to be working together to give children at the schools the best possible education and care.

“Our priority is to work alongside school leaders and teachers to accelerate progress and ensure every child from the early years onwards, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with SEND, benefits from high-quality teaching, strong leadership and a stable, ambitious learning environment.

“I am pleased to say that Leigh Bevan, who has significant leadership experience and expertise, has started as acting headteacher at Harlowbury following the decision by Vicky Early to step down after 10 years serving the school as its head. We wish Vicky well in her future career and are grateful for her contribution to the school and commitment to the Harlowbury community.

“We do not recognise the claims made in the Fawbert and Barnard’s petition. Numerous parents and staff at the school have proactively been in touch to offer their support. We thank them for their support and are committed to working hard to give pupils at all NET academies a first-class education.”