Admissions Information for Harlow Fields School and College

Welcome to Harlow Fields School and College! We are delighted that you are considering our special school for your child. Our admissions process is designed to ensure that we can meet the individual needs of every pupil. Below, you will find detailed information about the steps involved in securing a place at our school.

Ultimately, whether your child comes here depends on:

  • Your and your child’s preferences: It is important that both you and your child feel comfortable and happy with the decision to join our school.
  • Local authority agreement: Your local authority must agree that a special school is the best option for your child and will fund a place here.
  • Availability of resources: We must have the space and resources to meet your child’s individual needs.

Admissions Process

Step 1: Talk to Your Local Authority’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team

  • You can find contact details for your local authority’s SEN team on the education section of your council’s website. The SEND Team will assess your child and, if appropriate, provide you with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This plan will indicate whether the local authority believes your child will benefit from attending a special school.

Step 2: Arrange an Informal Visit to the School

  • If the local authority concludes that your child would benefit from a special school, we encourage you to visit us. To arrange a visit, please email admin@harlowfields.essex.sch.uk to book one of our scheduled school tours. You do not need to bring your child on this initial visit; it is an opportunity for you to see the school in action and ask any questions you may have.

Step 3: Inform the Local Authority of Your Preferred Choice of School

  • If the local authority agrees that your child should attend a special school, inform the SEND Team of your interest in Harlow Fields School and College. If you live outside Essex, your local authority may suggest another, more local school. Should the local authority agree to refer your child to us, they will send a referral letter and relevant reports for our consideration.

Step 4: The School Formally Assesses the Referral

  • At this stage, we will evaluate all incoming referrals based on age, educational needs, and resource requirements. We prioritise children who are or have been Looked After.

Step 5: Meeting with Your Child

  • If our initial assessment indicates that we can meet your child’s needs, we may require further information. We will contact you to arrange a face-to-face meeting, either at your home or at our school. This meeting is an important opportunity to discuss your child’s specific needs and ensure we can provide the necessary support.

Step 6: The School Informs Your Local Authority

  • If we determine that we can meet your child’s needs and have the appropriate resources available, we will inform the local authority. If we do not have a space but can meet your child’s needs, we will ask if you would like to be added to our waiting list.

Step 7: Notification from Your Local Authority

  • You will receive notification from your local authority regarding whether your child has been offered a place at Harlow Fields School and College. We do not contact you directly at this stage.

Step 8: The School Sends You a Letter

  • If your local authority has offered your child a place, we will write to you with details about start dates and other arrangements.

For further assistance, please contact:

SEND Operations Partner
SEND Operations Service
Goodman House, Station Approach
Harlow, Essex CM20 2ET

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Harlow Fields School and College, where we work together to succeed!