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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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.
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Nicola Shillingford
Willow Class
Keily Tomlin
Head of Lower School (Currently on Secondment to ESSET)
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.
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.
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)
