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.
Senior Leadership Team
Kathleen Faherty
Head Teacher
Being the Headteacher of Harlow Fields School and College is an absolute honour. I feel privileged to have taught many children across all phases and ability ranges for the last 24+ years. As a passionate advocate of inclusive practises, I firmly hold to the ‘three C’s’: being child-centred, conscientious in all that we do, and working together as a community. I have specific experience in the area of autism, mental ill health, and I am qualified to deliver therapeutic meditations with The British School of Meditation. Alongside this, I have achieved the National Professional Qualification for Middle and Senior Leaders (NPQML and NPQSL) and completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). I have served as a school Governor for 17 years and have worked as an inspector and consultant across a variety of settings in both London and Essex. In my personal life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, and I have a keen interest in photography. I am also actively engaged with a local Essex charity by serving on their board and fundraising. If you would like to visit or have a query, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Tracey Kiddell
Deputy Head
I have been teaching for 13 years and have the following qualifications: BA (Hons) Education and English Literature – First Class PGCE – Post Graduate Certificate of Education Dip. (SpLD) – Diploma Teaching and Assessing Learners with Dyslexia/Specific Learning Difficulties.
Administration Team
Karen Hickmott
Administration Assistant
I joined Harlow Fields School & College in 1999 and have worked in the Admin office for 20 years.
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.
Lucy Jones
Office Manager and PA
Cheryl Mcginley
Administration Assistant
Brenda Fitzgerald
Finance Assistant
Laura Scott
HR Manager
Other Team Members
Ashley Ebdon
Acting Site Manager
Jim McNeil
Assistant Site Manager
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
Blake 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.
Chrissi Karakanna
Mulberry Class
I have a BA Honours in Education and Childhood Studies. Prior to becoming a teacher I had been a Learning Support Assistant for three years in a special needs school.
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.
Keily Tomlin
Head of Lower School (Currently on Secondment to ESSET)
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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.
Jo Lofthouse
Chelmer Class
I have worked in Harlow Fields School since 2012.Having met SEN students whilst working in mainstream I learnt that is where I would like to specialise. I have a degree and several certificates in various SEN difficulties and disabilities. I like to keep my education up to date and last year completed an autism awareness course. I love working with the students, their questions and humour keep me going.
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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.
Charlotte Selwood
Lea Class
I studied for a BA Honours degree in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion at University. During my time at University, I carried out a placement at Harlow Fields School & College. Having thoroughly enjoyed my placement, once I had graduated from University in 2017 I applied to work as an LSA at Harlow Fields School & College. In September 2019, I began my Primary SCITT training and look forward to qualifying as a Primary Teacher with a SEN Specialism in the summer. (Teaching and Learning responsibility across the School and College)
Sylvia Soetsane
Stort Class
I have a degree in Youth and Community Work with Psychology. I qualified as a teacher in 2017. I worked at a previous Special Needs School for 4 years. I am looking forward to continuing my teaching journey at Harlow fields.
Craig Bailey-Whyte
Head of Upper School & Avon Class Teacher
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.
Simone Carter
Orwell 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
Roding 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.
6th Form Teachers
Chris Donno
Hawk 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
Eagle 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.
