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Nursery at Harlow Fields School and College
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Blossom Class gives the early years provision at Harlow Fields its own identity within a special school. The school caters for children from age three, with provision for autism and moderate, severe, and profound and multiple learning difficulties. For families considering its nursery, the central question is how learning and care fit their child's individual needs.
At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025, no children were enrolled in early years, so there was insufficient evidence for an early years judgement. This is an important distinction when assessing the nursery: a school judgement cannot stand in for a nursery assessment.
Individual learning targets provide the organising principle for the school's curriculum. They come from children's education, health and care plans (EHCPs), connecting learning with the needs and outcomes identified for each child. Communication, physical and sensory needs, learning, and growing independence shape that approach.
The school's teaching methods include TEACCH, which uses visual prompts and predictable structures, and TACPAC, which combines music with touch for sensory communication. Play also has a defined role, with both adult-organised and less structured activities intended to develop movement, thinking and interaction. These are school approaches rather than a fixed nursery timetable.
By April 2026, curriculum redevelopment included work on the early years foundation stage (EYFS). For a prospective nursery family, the relevant focus is the connection between this early learning curriculum and their child's personal targets.
Physical facilities across the school include halls, outdoor playgrounds and sensory areas. Those distinct spaces make the school's physical setting relevant to families considering children with sensory or movement needs.
Trauma Perceptive Practice shapes the school's approach to emotional support and behaviour. Staff receive training in this approach, with reflection and professional development every two weeks. The school aims to understand what a child's behaviour communicates and respond through relationships, rather than concentrating solely on the behaviour itself.
Children needing additional behavioural support have individual plans developed with their families. That gives parents a role in agreeing how adults respond to their child. Restrictive Physical Intervention is reserved for situations where safety requires it, as a last resort.
Blossom's class teacher has 18 years of work in education, specialising in early learning and development, including SEN education. Safeguarding concerns should be raised immediately with the safeguarding team; urgent concerns should be telephoned rather than emailed.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the applicable admissions process and meet its deadline.
For Harlow Fields, Statutory Assessment manages school admissions, and the local authority must agree to a special school placement. Families should work with their local authority's SEN team on the next placement. Familiarity with the school must be kept separate from the decision about admission.
School tours can be booked by emailing Admissions@harlowfields.essex.sch.uk when the local authority has concluded that a special school would benefit the child. Parents do not need to bring their child to this initial visit.
The school site is on Tendring Road, Harlow, CM18 6RN. General enquiries go to admin@harlowfields.essex.sch.uk or 01279 423670. Families organise travel to and from school, with 247 Transport Services available for discussions about individual transport needs.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and families must make a separate application through the applicable admissions process.
Blossom Class is the school's EYFS class.
The inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025 recorded insufficient evidence for an early years judgement because there were no children enrolled in early years at that time.
Yes. When the local authority concludes that a special school would benefit the child, parents can email Admissions@harlowfields.essex.sch.uk to book a scheduled tour. Their child does not need to attend the initial visit.
The school's individual learning targets are drawn from children's education, health and care plans.
