Meet Our Wonderful Team
At Harlow Fields School and College, we are proud to introduce our exceptional team of dedicated staff. Each member of our staff plays a vital role in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every pupil can thrive.
Our team is made up of passionate individuals who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that all our children flourish. Their commitment to fostering a positive learning atmosphere is evident in everything they do, from engaging lessons to supportive interactions.
We are not just colleagues; we are a happy bunch! Our collaborative spirit and shared vision for our pupils' success make Harlow Fields a truly special place to learn and grow. Together, we celebrate achievements, support one another, and strive to make a difference in the lives of our pupils every day.
We invite you to get to know our staff better, as they are the heart and soul of our school community.
HFS&C Leadership Structure 2025-26
The areas assigned to each member of staff are not listed in order of importance. Named staff have strategic and operational leadership for each area they have been assigned to but our work will often involve working with and through others in the spirit of our motto ‘working together to succeed’.
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Headteacher: Kathleen M Faherty
Line Manage: Senior Assistant Headteacher, 2 x Assistant Headteachers (inc DSL), Site Manager, Attendance Officer, HR and Finance Assistant. |
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Senior Assistant Headteacher: Becky Willers (SLT)
Line Manage: Point of contact for health education and social care professionals, therapists and visiting specialists for the benefit of pupils' wellbeing and educational progress at The School site. Line Manage Admin (admissions). |
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Assistant Headteacher: Megan Hood (SLT)
Line Manage: Point of contact for social workers, Child Protection and Safeguarding specialists inc Police. Line Manage Behaviour and Attitudes ELSA. |
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Other key leadership information:
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Senior Leadership Team
Kathleen Faherty
Head Teacher
I feel incredibly lucky to lead Harlow Fields School and College—a place that is close to my heart. I’ve worked across a range of settings in both London and Essex, but nowhere quite compares to here. The passion, care and talent of our staff, and the brilliance of our young people, make this a truly special community. If you’d like to visit or find out more about what we do, you’re always very welcome—we’d love to show you around.
Rebecca Willers
Senior Assistant Headteacher
I am proud to be Senior Assistant Head and Head of Upper School and Special Provision at Harlow Fields. I have worked at Harlow Fields since 2018, having qualified as a teacher in 2014, and throughout my career I have specialised in supporting pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex medical needs. My role is to ensure that every pupil receives a personalised, engaging, and ambitious curriculum that supports them to thrive both in school and beyond. I lead on curriculum development, assessment, and safeguarding, and I work closely with staff to create a safe, nurturing environment where all pupils can reach their full potential. I am passionate about preparing young people for adulthood by developing their independence, confidence, and love of learning. This work is also deeply personal to me. Having a disabled sister has given me a strong passion for advocating for inclusion and having an active voice within the disability community. I truly believe in building strong, positive relationships with families and the wider community, and I know that by working together we can achieve the very best outcomes for our pupils.
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Lorna Shemmings
Assistant Headteacher
I have over 20 years of experience working as an inclusion manager and SENCO across schools in London and Essex. During this time I have held various different roles including subject leadership, safeguarding, mental health and well being, coaching and mentoring and designated teacher for LAC. I have a passion for nurturing and developing children with additional needs and supporting each child and their families to ensure they have the best possible support.
Administration Team
Sam Stevens
Administration Assistant
I have worked at Harlow Fields School & College since January 2003, initially as a Learning Support Assistant but for the last 12 years I have been a member of the Admin Team. Before that I took time off work to look after my children but started work at the age of 16 as a claims Adjuster in London.
Cheryl McGinley
Administration Assistant
I joined Harlow Fields School & College in September 2024. I have extensive experience in Administration, Customer Service and Marketing. I enjoy supporting others and building strong relationships within the school community. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family.
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Brenda Fitzgerald
Finance Assistant
I have a financial background, having previously worked in a school setting. I now support the day-to-day financial operations at Harlow Fields School & College since joining in October 2024. I am approachable and enjoy working as part of a team.
Anushree Marathe
HR Assistant
A personable HR Assistant with strong experience supporting both employees and management. I joined Harlow Fields School & College in November 2025. I like to work in people-focused environments and build positive working relationships across all levels. I am a quick and enthusiastic learner who adapts well to new systems and processes, and I embrace new challenges as opportunities for continuous growth and contribution.
Other Team Members
Al Maxin
Assistant Site Manager
I've spent the past four years as a cricket coach, where I've had the privilege of supporting people from all walks of life, including children with SEND. It was through this experience that I discovered a real passion for making a difference, which inspired me to take a leap into something new. I am now of Harlow Fields School and College, where I've truly found my feet doing something I love. I support the everyday running of the school while working closely with our pupils, aiming to make a positive impact on their lives.
Lower School Teachers
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Emine Karsanti
Blake Class
I have been working at Harlow Fields School and College for 3 years and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Harlow Fields is a wonderful community, and the children are so brave and inspiring. I look forward to continuing working here.
Caroline Mitchell
Shakespeare Class
I started work at HFSC over twenty years ago, during this time I have worked in every department EYFS, PMLD. SLD, MLD, ASD. I realised very early on, that my passion lay in autism, and so I decided to train further in that specific area gaining my Diploma in 2007. This led on to me and a former colleague being asked to start up a specialised TEACCH practice class, Dahl, I was based there for over ten years. More recently I have gone back to teaching across the school and am now currently based in Blake class which is specialised PMLD.
Charlotte Harvey
Beech Class
I began working at Harlow Fields in June 2021 as an LSA and am currently studying BA Hons in Primary Education. I thoroughly enjoy working alongside the pupils, helping them to achieve their best potential, and am looking forward to continuing my teaching journey at Harlow Fields School and College.
Georgia Gray
Beech Class
I have a BA hons in early education and have worked in schools since 2016. I joined Harlow Fields in 2023 and have enjoyed exercising my skill set in a new way.
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Nicola Shillingford
Willow Class
I have 19 years experience working with Children with SEND. I started working at Harlow fields in 2015 as an LSA. Prior to coming to Harlow fields, I worked 1-1 with a child in a mainstream school with SEND as well as working in a residential school specialising in SEND and Epilepsy for 10 years. I enjoy working with the children of Harlow fields school and look forward to continuing my Journey here.
Emily Charles
Sycamore Class
I joined Harlow Fields in January 2020 as an LSA and have loved every minute working with our amazing pupils. I spent two years in our PMLD classes before moving to a lower school class, where I was inspired daily by the fantastic team around me. With their encouragement, I completed my teacher training in July 2023, and I’ve been the proud Sycamore Class teacher ever since!
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Victoria Duer
Swim Teacher
I have been a Swim England swimming teacher for over 20 years. Teaching children to swim is a passion and I love seeing them succeed.
Upper School Teachers
Trish Morton
Chelmer Class
I have been working at Harlow Fields School and College since 2016. Before this I had spent a number of years in different mainstream schools in and around Harlow. I have been an ICT co-ordinator and an English co-ordinator in previous schools. I have a degree in Children’s Education and have studied Special Needs for a number of years.
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Lauren Bates
Morris Class
I started working at Harlow Fields in 2020 and I have 4 years of experience working with PMLD students. I thoroughly enjoy working with the students in Class and they inspire me everyday with their kind hearts, resilience and determination. I am looking forward to continuing working at Harlow Fields School.
Sara Coombe
Lea Class
I started as an LSA at Harlow Fields in 2016 and have worked, at some point, in all the classes over the years. In 2022, having decided I wanted to teach, I graduated with a BA Hons in Special Education. Last year I achieved HLTA status and covered teaching lessons. This year I am delighted to be fully teaching Lea class and hope to gain qualified teacher status by the end of the academic year.
Craig Bailey-Whyte
Avon Class
I qualified as a Secondary PE Teacher in 2015 after completing my training at The Plume School in Maldon. After this, I spent six years working for NET Academies Trust in Harlow as a PE Teacher before joining Harlow Fields School and College in September 2022. Outside of school, I am a qualified football and badminton coach.
Abigail Birkitt
Picasso Class
I have worked at Harlow Fields since the start of 2023, and I have loved every moment of watching the pupils here at Harlow Fields grow and achieve their goals! I am very passionate about working within SEN as this is something close to home for me. I am excited for the future and look forward to continuing my journey here.
Simone Carter
Chelmer Class
(Teaching and Learning responsibility across the School and College) I am an experienced teacher, who graduated with a Batchelor of Education degree from Oxford University in the 1990s. Over the years I have gained experience as a teacher in the classroom, taught for 6 months in America, I was an outreach manager in a PRU for over a decade and in more recent years I worked as a SENCo in Harlow and Hertfordshire. During my 11 years as a SENCo I completed the SENCo National Award and went on to gain a Masters degree in SEN and Leadership, from Hertfordshire University. I was lucky to join Harlow Fields just over a year ago and it is here that I have renewed my love of teaching. Recently I have taken on the role of Music lead across the school and college. I am passionate about developing music through Harlow Fields as I have seen through my family how therapeutic and empowering music can be.
Anne Curran
Orwell Class
I joined Harlow Fields in September 2024, where I have been teaching in Upper School. I graduated with a BA in Early Childhood Studies in Ireland in 2018 and went on to complete my teacher training with Essex Primary SCITT in 2021. I began my teaching career in Early Years within mainstream education, where I spent three valuable years building a strong foundation in child development, play-based learning, and early intervention strategies. In 2024, I made the move into SEND education. This transition has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, as I’ve adapted my teaching approach to meet a wide range of individual needs. I’ve gained invaluable experience in tailoring learning to support pupils’ communication, sensory, and social development, and I’m committed to creating a positive, inclusive learning environment where every child feels valued and supported.
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Victoria Duer
Swim Teacher
I have been a Swim England swimming teacher for over 20 years. Teaching children to swim is a passion and I love seeing them succeed.
Vicky Lewis
Brooke Class
Hi I'm Victoria, I started at Harlow Fields as an LSA and progressed to HLTA. I enjoyed this so much that I applied to be an unqualified teacher and now here I am with my own class and doing my Teaching course. My own son has special educational needs, and this is where my passion for helping SEN children comes from.
Ulku Mertek Arun
Thames Class
I trained as a Teacher in Turkey and worked as a primary school Teacher for 11 years before moving to the UK in 2021. I joined Harlow Fields School and College in 2024 as a Teaching Assistant. I am planning to work towards a Qualified Teacher Status in the future. I enjoy supporting children and creating a calm, positive, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
James Nash
Roding Class
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Primary Education Studies and have recently completed a master's degree in psychology. I started my career in education at Harlow Fields in 2022 where I worked as a Learning Support Assistant for just over a year. I then left in 2023 to gain further experience in mainstream education where I was a school's sports coach for a year whilst I finished my undergraduate degree. I then went on to work in another local SEN school, where I supported a range of different pupils working as a cover supervisor and a senior HLTA. I am delighted to be returning to Harlow Fields and bringing with me the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained to continue supporting our pupils in reaching their full potential. This year, I am undertaking my teacher training to further develop my skills and work towards becoming a qualified teacher.
Sylvia Eller
Stort Class
I qualified as a teacher in 2017 and began my career at Oak View School in Loughton, where I worked as a class teacher for five years. I joined Harlow Fields School and College in September 2020. Alongside my teaching role, I am also a qualified business coach and enjoy supporting others in their professional growth.
EYFS
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Daisy Howard
Blossom Class
I have been working in education for 18years and have specialised in early years, learning and development, including Sen education.
PMLD Teachers
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Lauren Bates
Morris Class
I started working at Harlow Fields in 2020 and I have 4 years of experience working with PMLD students. I thoroughly enjoy working with the students in Class and they inspire me everyday with their kind hearts, resilience and determination. I am looking forward to continuing working at Harlow Fields School.
Emine Karsanti
Blake Class
I have been working at Harlow Fields School and College for 3 years and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Harlow Fields is a wonderful community, and the children are so brave and inspiring. I look forward to continuing working here.
Caroline Mitchell
Shakespeare Class
I started work at HFSC over twenty years ago, during this time I have worked in every department EYFS, PMLD. SLD, MLD, ASD. I realised very early on, that my passion lay in autism, and so I decided to train further in that specific area gaining my Diploma in 2007. This led on to me and a former colleague being asked to start up a specialised TEACCH practice class, Dahl, I was based there for over ten years. More recently I have gone back to teaching across the school and am now currently based in Blake class which is specialised PMLD.
6th Form Teachers
Chris Donno
Eagle Class
I started working at Harlow Fields in September 2022 as a 6th form teacher. I qualified as a teacher in 2019, completing my qualification with Essex teacher training and have spent the past three years working in mainstream primary. Prior to undertaking teaching, I achieved a First-class honour in SEND in Education Studies at the University of Hertfordshire. I am an advocate for encouraging children/young adults with SEND into sports, I am a head coach for my own SEND football team and proudly coached Eastern Region at the national games for Special Olympics. (Teaching and Learning responsibility and Acting Head of 6th form)
John Doran
Kestrel Class
After 16 years mainstream Humanities teaching (mostly R.E.) I took the jump into SEND teaching in September 2023. After an enjoyable first year teaching Avon in Upper School, I have joined the Sixth Form team delivering the Functional Skills and ASDAN syllabi in Maths, Digital ICT, Personal and Social Development and Personal Progress (alongside the rest of the formal curriculum in Eagle Class). Outside of school, I assist in coaching a neurodiverse football team and arrange sporting trips for the players.
Katie Kelly
Hawk Class
I’ve been part of the Harlow Fields team for the past eight years and feel incredibly lucky to work alongside such dedicated and inspiring colleagues. Throughout my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various areas of the school, which has been both rewarding and enriching. However, I’ve truly found my passion within our Sixth Form department. As a HLTA, qualified ASDAN Personal Progress Instructor and class lead; I’m proud to support our young adults as they prepare for life beyond school. Helping them build essential life skills and confidence for the future is not just part of my role – it’s a real privilege.
Emma Weston
Hawk Class
After graduating from Middlesex with a BA degree in Education, I completed my final teacher training year in a local mainstream school. I stayed there for a few years and made some amazing memories and had a wonderful experience. It became apparent to me I gravitated to the more vulnerable pupils and had a passion inside for SEN. This lead me to my current teaching position at Harlow Fields School and College 5 years ago. I have been fortunate enough so far to have worked with pupils between the ages of 3 all the way up to 19. I absolutely love my job and being able to work with so many incredible young people. I aim to educate, provide life skills, and ensure my class feel safe and happy when they are with me and my incredible team. It is a privilege to be surrounded by children and young adults that see the world in a unique and magical way.