Harlow
Welcome
On behalf of the staff, governors and pupils, I would like to welcome you to Harlow Fields School and College.
I hope this prospectus provides useful information about our busy school and helps you make decisions about which school best meets your child’s needs.
Harlow Fields School and College is a caring, nurturing environment but also one of learning, fun and aspiration.
We deliver a curriculum that will challenge your child throughout their time with us and the expertise of the staff plays a very important role in this.
Ofsted judged us to be a Good school, with our Early Years Foundation Stage and our Safeguarding outstanding. We take the safety and wellbeing of our pupils and everyone here very seriously.
I hope you gain a sense of our school through this prospectus and I look forward to meeting you and showing you our exciting and friendly school.
Kathleen Wall
OurAim
WorkingTogethertoSucceed
We aim to promote every pupil’s academic, social, physical and emotional development by teaching them to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential and develop independent skills for life.
Harlow Fields School and College is an inclusive, vibrant learning environment offering high quality education and care for all. We want our learners to grow into valued and confident members of the community in which they live and in the wider society.
We will do this by:
• Providing a happy, positive, secure learning and social environment in which all members of the school community feel valued
• Meeting every child’s needs by understanding the individual and diverse ways in which our pupils learn and develop
• Giving every pupil and student access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum taking account of their learning styles and interests
• Promoting a safe and healthy lifestyle based on understanding and respecting our differences
• Encouraging and developing active partnerships with parents and carers in a sensitive, positive and non-judgmental way
• Extending our knowledge and understanding in order to support pupils’ learning through a programme of continuous professional development and training
AdmissionsPolicy
Currently we cater for pupils who are designated to have severe, moderate and complex needs including autism and sensory impairment.
The Local Authority (Essex County Council) is responsible for all admissions to the school. All pupils are admitted to Harlow Fields School and College following referrals from SEND Operations Team (SOT). All pupils (except some who are under 5) will have an Education, Health Care Plan (EHCP).
In the main, pupils will join us in September but we do have pupils joining throughout the year depending on circumstances. EYFS pupils may attend on a part time basis.
Prospective parents/carers are very welcome to visit the school. The school will notify the Local Authority of such visits.
The school is broadly organised into three phases Lower School, Upper School and Sixth Form:
Lower School
Early Years Foundation Stage 3-5 yrs
Key Stage 1 5-7 yrs
Key Stage 2 7-11 yrs Upper School 6th Form Key Stage 3 11-14 yrs Key Stage 4 14-16yrs Key Stage 5 16-19 yrs
Contact SEND Operations: 03330 139911
Transport:
IntroductiontotheSchool
Where a placement at the school meets Local Authority criteria, free home/school transport may be provided by minibus. The Local Authority have the responsibility for all aspects of home/school transport.
School Times:
We follow the same term time patterns as mainstream school including 5 training days. Pupils who are entitled to transport arrive at 8:50 and leave at 3:30. All other Pupils arrive at 9am and leave at 3:15. Parking is at a premium and parents and there is no on-site parking.
Communication:
Good communication between home and school is essential to achieve a high quality of education and this includes:
• Home/school diary for parents/carers and school to share information daily
• Opportunities to talk to teachers
• Home/School Agreement
• Telephone conversations, newsletters, school website, Twitter
• Annual review or your child’s EHC plan
• Attendance at special assemblies and events throughout the year
• Annual reports
• Virtual technology available
Complaints:
Should parents have any issue they wish to raise, they should in the first instance contact the class tutor. If they feel the issue has not been fully resolved, they are welcome to discuss this with the Deputy Head or Head. Copies of our complaints procedure are available through our website or from the school office.
Classes:
TeachingandLearning
We currently have 18 classes in which pupils are grouped according to age. Dahl is our ASD provision and Morris Class and Oak Class are our Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) provision. These classes are cross key stage.
Lower School:
The Lower School has 7 classes and their curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile and a rolling programme of nine topics—3 per year. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of experiences for our younger pupils and includes PE, swimming, horse riding and visits to the local community.
Upper School:
The Upper school comprises 7 classes and the curriculum at Key Stages and 4 aims to be broad, balanced, exciting and meaningful for all our pupils. Pupils have the opportunity to work towards a variety of awards and qualifications.
6th Form:
All pupils have the option of continuing their education here at Harlow Fields School in our 6th Form, where we currently have 3 classes. There are opportunities to continue accredited courses, for work experience and travel training if this is appropriate, as well as studying at Harlow College one day per week. We work closely with all the agencies to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of their learning.
Curriculum:
All pupils have access to a full curriculum including the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) and citizenship are areas which are worked on across all age ranges.
Specialist Rooms:
TeachingandLearning
There are a number of specialist teaching areas at Harlow Fields including:
• Warm water hydrotherapy pool (currently closed)
• Soft play room and interactive learning room
• Food Technology and Design Technology
• Computing Suite
• Science Lab
• Greenhouse and allotment area
• Home Management room
Assessment:
We use BSquared as our online assessment tool. This measures pupils’ progress across subjects and this aids lesson planning. We also set Personal Learning Targets (PLTs) in consultation with parents, through the Annual Review the process. PLTs are based on the Key Skills :
• PHSE
• Communication
• Numeracy
• Physical Skills
• Computing
• Problem Solving
• Improving Own Learning
Additional Support:
We recognise that some pupils may require input from different therapists such as Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. We also work closely with our music therapist, reflexologist and Young Concern counsellor.
SchoolUniform
All our Lower School and Upper School pupils must wear school uniform as this helps with routines and engenders a sense of belonging. We appreciate your support with this, if you have any specific difficulties, please consult the school.
Lower School
Grey trousers or skirts
White polo shirts
Green sweatshirt
Sensible black shoes
No trainers
6th Form
Upper School
Grey trousers or skirts
White polo shirts
Navy Blue sweatshirt
Sensible black shoes
No trainers
Students may wear their own choice of clothing providing it is sensible. Logos on T shirts are discouraged.
PE Kit
All pupils will require a PE kit consisting of a change of clothing including plimsolls and a tracksuit and trainers for outdoors. A swimming kit will also be required.
All uniform (including shoes) and belongings must be clearly labelled.
School Uniform can now be ordered online: https://www.createidentitee.co.uk/schoolwear/primaryschool/harlow-fields-school-college/
GeneralInformation
Safeguarding:
We take all aspects of safeguarding seriously for our pupils, staff and all visitors to the school. We work in partnership with families and other agencies to try to resolve issues and support families in difficult times.
All outdoor play areas are fenced and gates are secured with combination locks. Access to the main school entrance is by electronic security gates and internal school doors are also electronic.
E-safety:
Only 6th Form students are permitted to bring mobile phones in to school, however these are locked away during the day. We teach e-safety through the curriculum and work closely with families to ensure their young people are using social media responsibly.
Health and Wellbeing:
Our school nurses support the school and families through clinics and individual consultations. A number of different clinics and workshops are held regularly to support the needs of our pupils. The school nurse will write care plans in conjunction with the Consultant Paediatrician and the parents if required. Therapists and counsellors also support the emotional wellbeing of our pupils.
Healthy Schools:
GeneralInformation
We are committed to being a Healthy School and are proud of our achievements in this area such as increasing meal uptake, minimizing food waste and developing after school sports clubs.
School Meals:
These are catered for in our own school kitchen and details of the menus are available on the website. We are able to cater for all types of diets. Parents have the opportunity to sample foods at our Parent’s Evenings.
Nut free zone:
Harlow Fields is now a nut free zone.
ParentPay:
We subscribe to ParentPay and parents are able to pay for school meals, clubs and trips online. This is also used as a means of communication to parents, and therefore all parents must sign up for this. For more details, please contact John Holland, Business Manager.
GeneralInformation
After School Clubs:
We run a range of after school clubs such as swimming, sports and social activities throughout the week offering a social time for pupils and some additional respite for families.
Transport:
Home/school transport may be allocated by the Local Authority to those families who meet their criteria. Parents are also welcome to drop off and pick up their pupils if this is more appropriate. We also have a number of older pupils who travel independently.
For more detailed information and an insight into the daily life of the school; please visit our website www.harlowfields.essex.gov.uk
Mrs. Kathleen Wall Head Teacher
Harlow Fields School & College Tendring Road Harlow Essex CM18 6RN
01279 423670 admin@harlowfields.essex.sch.uk