Harmood School is a state-maintained community special school in Camden Town, London, serving up to 35 students aged 11 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. The school operates from a bright and welcoming environment on Harmood Street, offering a distinctive blend of academic teaching and creative therapies—including equine therapy, art, and music—to support pupils who have been unable to access mainstream provision. As a founding partner of the H3 Federation alongside Heath School and Haverstock School, Harmood provides a multi-agency approach that combines tailored induction programmes, personal mentoring, and family support. Ofsted rated the school Good following its September 2022 inspection, noting that many pupils enjoy learning and make progress here for the first time. All students hold an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with SEMH as their primary need, and admissions take place exclusively through referral from Camden's SEN team.
Harmood School's central motto is "A place where every student can learn, grow and succeed," and this ethos is threaded through every aspect of provision. Previously part of the Camden Centre for Learning, the school re-launched as a founding partner of the H3 Federation, reflecting a commitment to collaboration and shared expertise across Camden's specialist and mainstream sectors. The federation structure enables Harmood to pool resources with Heath School and Haverstock School, enhancing curriculum breadth and professional development opportunities for staff.
The school's ethos prioritises understanding each young person as an individual with unique strengths and challenges. Staff place social and personal development on equal footing with academic learning, recognising that confidence, self-regulation and relationship-building are prerequisites for educational progress. The Ofsted report highlights that staff take time to build strong relationships with pupils, and for many students this is the first time they have enjoyed learning. Parents value the commitment of the leadership and staff in helping their children to succeed, particularly the regular positive communication and the availability of multi-agency support that includes a youth worker, family worker and social worker.
Debbie Man serves as Head of School, leading a team committed to creating an environment where students feel safe, settled and ready to learn. The school's bright and inviting physical space is designed to reduce anxiety and promote engagement, and the curriculum is deliberately broad and flexible to accommodate a wide spectrum of learning needs alongside SEMH support. The integration of creative therapies—art, music, and equine therapy—offers pupils alternative routes to self-expression and relaxation, helping them unwind and participate fully in school life.
Harmood School provides a broad, balanced curriculum that spans the full range of national curriculum subjects, with adaptations to suit the needs of students with SEMH difficulties. Core subjects include English, mathematics and science, delivered in small classes where teaching can be personalised. Humanities lessons cover topics such as climate change, environmental stewardship and world cultures, reflecting the school's commitment to preparing students for life in modern Britain. Recent activities have included exploring pollution and sustainability in a module titled "Looking after our world," and students have engaged in community projects to improve local green spaces.
Art and design are central to the creative curriculum. Students have visited the British Museum to study pattern-making and explored the techniques of artists such as Sonia Delaunay, applying their learning to their own creative work. Music and equine therapy sessions provide additional opportunities for pupils to develop confidence, manage emotions and build trust with adults. These therapeutic interventions are woven into the weekly timetable and are recognised by staff and parents as vital to students' progress.
Personal development is a curricular priority. Students participate in a tailored induction programme on arrival, supported by a personal mentor chosen to match their needs and personality. The school emphasises enterprise, life skills and careers guidance; an annual Careers Fair brings employers and further education providers on site, and students take part in food enterprise programmes that blend practical skills with economic understanding. The school's multi-agency team ensures that pupils receive timely support for social, emotional and mental health challenges, and that families are actively involved in their child's journey.
Because Harmood is a specialist SEMH provision, it does not participate in standard Key Stage 4 performance tables, and examination results are not published in the same way as mainstream secondary schools. Instead, student progress is measured through individualised targets set in consultation with pupils, families and external professionals. The school offers GCSEs and other accredited qualifications where appropriate, tailored to each student's ability and readiness. The emphasis is on ensuring that every pupil leaves with qualifications, skills and confidence to move successfully into further education, training or employment.
Harmood School's campus on Harmood Street in Camden Town is designed to feel calm, safe and supportive. Classrooms are bright and well-resourced, and specialist spaces for art, music and creative therapies allow students to engage in hands-on, therapeutic learning. The school makes use of community and cultural resources across London; recent trips have included visits to the British Museum, and students regularly engage with external partners and local organisations as part of their curriculum enrichment.
Equine therapy is a standout feature, offering students the opportunity to develop empathy, communication skills and emotional regulation through interaction with horses. This programme is delivered by specialist staff and is highly valued by pupils and families. Art and music sessions are similarly therapeutic, providing outlets for self-expression and helping students to manage anxiety and build resilience. The school's food enterprise programme encourages students to explore the cuisines of different cultures, develop practical cooking skills and understand business principles in a real-world context.
The school's multi-agency team, which includes a youth worker, family worker and social worker, supports the wider needs of students and their families. This holistic approach extends beyond the classroom, addressing barriers to learning and helping families to navigate additional services and support networks in Camden. Regular communication with parents is a priority, with staff sharing positive news and working collaboratively to address any concerns.
All students at Harmood School have an Education, Health and Care Plan with social, emotional and mental health needs as their primary area of need. Many pupils also have additional complex learning difficulties, and the school's approach is designed to accommodate a wide range of individual challenges. The school understands that SEMH needs manifest differently in every child, and provision is highly personalised to meet each student's specific profile.
The school employs a multi-agency model that integrates education, therapy and social care. Staff work closely with external professionals, including educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and mental health practitioners, to ensure that each student receives the right combination of support. Personal mentors provide continuity and a trusted relationship, and the therapeutic curriculum—including equine therapy, art and music—addresses emotional regulation, self-esteem and social skills.
The school's admissions process is designed to ensure that it can meet the needs of every pupil referred. The SEN team at Camden Local Authority manages all referrals, and the school responds within 15 working days to confirm whether it can provide appropriate support. Students without a finalised EHCP may be admitted while their plan is being assessed, subject to approval by the Harmood/Heath Referral Panel.
Admissions to Harmood School are managed entirely through Camden's SEN team. Parents cannot apply directly; instead, a referral must be submitted by the student's SEN case worker. The school is designed to serve up to 35 students aged 11 to 16 who have an EHCP with SEMH as their primary need and who are unable to access mainstream provision.
The referral process typically takes three to five weeks, provided there are no complications. Once a referral is received, the school's Referral Panel reviews the student's EHCP, relevant reports and supporting documentation, and determines whether Harmood can meet the child's needs. If a place is available and the school is confident it can provide appropriate support, an offer is made and an induction programme is arranged. For students who already have an EHCP, an early Annual Review is convened to request a change of placement. For students whose EHCP is pending, interim arrangements can be made in consultation with the panel.
Because the school serves a specialist cohort, there is no traditional catchment area or distance-based admissions criterion. Instead, eligibility is determined by need and the availability of a suitable place. The school draws students primarily from Camden, and its capacity of 35 places means that demand is carefully managed through the local authority's EHCP processes. Families should contact their child's SEN case worker to initiate a referral and discuss the suitability of Harmood for their child's needs.
Harmood School is a strong choice for families in Camden seeking a specialist SEMH provision that balances academic rigour with therapeutic support. The school's integration of creative therapies—equine therapy, art and music—sets it apart from many mainstream and alternative provisions, offering students a rich, multi-sensory curriculum that addresses the whole child. The Ofsted rating of Good and the positive feedback from parents underscore the school's effectiveness in helping pupils who have struggled elsewhere to re-engage with learning and make genuine progress.
The multi-agency model, including a youth worker, family worker and social worker, ensures that support extends beyond the classroom and into the home and community. This holistic approach is particularly valuable for families navigating complex challenges, and the school's commitment to regular, positive communication helps parents feel involved and supported. The personal mentor system provides continuity and stability, and the tailored induction programme ensures that new students settle in with confidence.
The school's small size and specialist focus mean that it cannot offer the breadth of extra-curricular activities, facilities or subject choices available in larger mainstream secondaries. However, for pupils with SEMH needs who require a therapeutic environment and individualised support, this trade-off is appropriate. The school's emphasis on personal and social development, combined with access to accredited qualifications and strong careers guidance, prepares students well for their next steps.
Parents considering Harmood should speak to their child's SEN case worker as early as possible to discuss referral. The school's admissions process is designed to ensure that every placement is a good match, and early engagement with the SEN team will help families understand timelines and next steps. For students who need a nurturing, specialist environment with integrated therapeutic support, Harmood School offers a compassionate, effective and well-led provision in the heart of Camden.
Yes. Harmood School was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2022. The inspection found that pupils are happy at the school, that staff build strong relationships and understand individual needs, and that for many students this is the first time they have enjoyed learning and made progress. Parents value the commitment of the leadership and staff in supporting their children to succeed.
Parents cannot apply directly to Harmood School. All admissions are managed through Camden Local Authority's SEN team via referral. If you believe your child would benefit from a specialist SEMH placement, contact your child's SEN case worker to request a referral. The school will respond within 15 working days to confirm whether it can meet your child's needs, and the overall process typically takes three to five weeks.
Harmood School serves students aged 11 to 16 (Years 7 to 11).
Harmood School is a specialist provision for students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan with SEMH as their primary area of need. Many pupils also have additional complex learning difficulties, including autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, moderate learning difficulties, speech and language difficulties, and sensory processing challenges.
Yes. Harmood School offers GCSEs and other accredited qualifications where appropriate, tailored to each student's ability and readiness. The emphasis is on ensuring that every pupil leaves with qualifications, skills and confidence to progress into further education, training or employment.
The H3 Federation is a partnership of three schools: Harmood School, Heath School and Haverstock School. As a founding partner, Harmood benefits from shared resources, professional development opportunities and collaborative working across both specialist and mainstream settings. The federation structure enhances the breadth and quality of provision available to students.
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