John Durance

Chair

Co-opted Governor

27.01.2015 - 10.01.2027

John was born and has spent the majority of his life working in Peterborough. He received his education at Deacon’s Grammar School before pursuing studies at the Leicester School of Architecture. He graduated in 1970 and was elected a Chartered Architect in 1971. His late wife, an exceptional primary school Headteacher in Peterborough, provided him with significant insight into educational issues. John is a father to a son and daughter, and a grandfather to four grandchildren, two of whom are former pupils of Southfields Primary School.

Following a brief period with the Peterborough Development Corporation, John joined a long-established, traditional architect’s practice. As Chairman, with the support of his fellow directors, he transformed the practice into a modern business with a national profile. His interest in developing people led the firm to become the first architects in the UK to gain Investors In People accreditation.

John has always been actively involved in the local community. He was a founding director of the Training and Enterprise Council, promoting locally focused training and education tailored to the needs of local industry and commerce. He later chaired the North West Anglia Health Authority for eight years, focusing on the healthcare needs of communities in Greater Peterborough, Fenland, and North West Norfolk. When the Peterborough Development Corporation was disbanded, he chaired the Peterborough Development Agency for five years, addressing the need to promote Peterborough nationally and internationally.

John believes in providing children with a solid foundation in basic skills and an understanding of the world. He advocates for stimulating and enjoyable primary school experiences that foster a lifelong love for learning, preparing children to be successful and valuable community contributors. Recognizing Southfields Primary School as an outstanding institution, John accepted the invitation to become a governor in 2015 and was elected chair in 2016. He hopes to continue supporting Southfields in its ongoing development and success, ensuring it remains a school where families are proud to send their children and grandchildren.

Cllr Brian Rush

Local Authority Governor

28.03.2012 - 08.03.2028

Brian has been a resident of Stanground for more than 35 years. He shares his life with his wife, Rita, and is both a father and a grandfather. After completing his education at Old Fletton Secondary Modern School, Brian embarked on his career by joining Baker Perkins as an apprentice. He dedicated his professional life to mechanical engineering and retired in 2014.

For over two decades, Brian has been an active Peterborough City Councillor, representing Stanground and contributing to various committees. His commitment to the community is evident through his involvement with numerous local organisations, such as the Stanground Community Association (SCA), the Italian Community Association (ICA), and the Cardea Community Sports Association (CCSA).

Brian has been a governor at Southfields Primary School since 2000, driven by a strong belief in providing a solid foundation for the students' futures. He finds inspiration in the leadership of the Headteacher and the dedicated team of teachers and staff at the school. Brian considers it a privilege to be part of the Southfields family, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the school operates smoothly. As a critical friend, he offers support and confidentiality to staff members, whether they face school-related or personal challenges.

Brian takes pride in his association with the school and envisions an educational environment where children of all abilities receive the best possible education in a safe and nurturing setting. He believes in providing students with a fulfilling school experience, enriched by excellent teaching and diverse opportunities, both within the school and through external trips, to help them develop their talents, skills, and ambitions.

 Lauren Westley

Staff Governor

01.09.2018 - 17.01.2029

Lauren has been teaching for 10 years since gaining her PGCE at Anglia Ruskin University. Prior to this, she studied for a BA in History at the University of Sheffield. Throughout her teaching career, Lauren has been fortunate to gain a range of experience, teaching in both mainstream schools and Special Education, and has greatly enjoyed both settings. She appreciates applying the knowledge and skills from Special Education into the classroom, incorporating strategies ranging from behaviour management and differentiation to a creative and hands-on approach that aligns well with the Southfields environment.

Currently in her tenth year at Southfields, Lauren has enjoyed expanding her roles and responsibilities. She has achieved an EAL Quality Mark and has led training sessions for staff and TAs. Lauren became a Governor in her second year at Southfields and finds the experience highly rewarding. It broadens her understanding of the school's inner workings and helps her track progress and expectations across all year groups, which can be challenging in a large school.

Lauren is passionate about teaching and has a particular affinity for guided reading, enjoying the opportunity to witness a child's journey through a story. She has a strong interest in History, which stems from her academic background, and she enjoys exploring historical topics. In English, she delights in sharing the creative possibilities of words and writing styles. In Science, Lauren values the importance of questioning and discovery, considering them essential elements both in the subject and in everyday life.

Beyond her professional life, Lauren has a strong interest in history, which she nurtures by reading outside of school, attending a book club, and visiting museums. She also enjoys swimming, spending time outdoors, or relaxing on the sofa with her cat. Lauren has a love for travel and exploring other cultures, and she recently learned to ski, which will influence her future travel plans.

 Emma Peacock

Co-opted Governor 

03.10.2023 - 02.10.2027

Emma has been dedicated to teaching for over 11 years, with 5 of those years spent at Southfields Primary School. Having been a pupil at Southfields herself, she now also serves as a parent within the community. Her teaching experience spans both mainstream and special schools, working with children from early years to Key Stage 5. Emma chose Southfields for her child because of its outstanding reputation and inclusive approaches. She wanted to join a team committed to providing the best opportunities for children throughout their primary education.

Emma is passionate about supporting children with additional needs and continuously seeks ways to foster inclusive practices in education. She emphasizes the importance of helping children without additional needs to communicate with and understand peers who may be different from them, believing this is a crucial skill for all children.

In previous years, Emma nominated herself as a school governor to represent the staff and convey their perspectives to the governing body. She thoroughly enjoyed this role, which enabled her to collaborate with different teams and observe the continuous learning journey of the children at Southfields. Emma went on to become Head of School at another school in Peterborough, and was re-elected as a co-opted Governor to enable her to carry on her work with the Governing Body. 

In her spare time, Emma enjoys reading and exploring outdoor spaces with her family, often taking their dogs on long walks. She has a keen interest in history, particularly World War II, and is fascinated by exotic animals, keeping a panther chameleon and a corn snake at home. Emma also loves reading with the children at school, bringing stories to life by playing the roles of different characters.

 Luciana Isnovoiu

Co-opted Governor

11.07.2023 - 10.07.2027

Luciana, a parent of a pupil at Southfields Primary School and a Teaching Assistant here, is deeply involved in the school's community. With a strong desire to contribute more significantly to the school's mission of nurturing holistically rounded children, she has joined the Governing Body.

Luciana brings with her 12 years of professional teaching experience in Geography and English as an Additional Language (EAL) from Romania. During her teaching career, she played a key role in developing and customizing the curriculum to better meet students' needs, working with children from diverse backgrounds. Her passion lies in creating inspiring and accessible learning environments that instill a lifelong love of learning.

By becoming a governor, Luciana sees an opportunity to leverage the skills she honed in her teaching career for the benefit of the children at Southfields. Her experience in Secondary Education has given her insight into the profound impact that the early years of education have on a child's academic, social, and emotional development.

As a mother of a child attending Southfields, Luciana has witnessed first-hand how integral schooling has become in their life, further motivating her to take on this governance role. She feels grateful for the chance to support and contribute to the exceptional work being carried out by the school community at Southfields Primary School.

Hayley Stapleton

Parent Governor

03.10.2023 - 02.10.2027

Hayley is a devoted wife and mother of two children, both of whom have either attended or are still attending Southfields Primary School. Her decision to choose Southfields was influenced not only by her proximity to the school but also by its strong reputation for prioritizing pupil welfare. When her eldest child joined Year 5, Southfields welcomed him warmly, fostering an environment where he could excel academically.

For her youngest child, who has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Hayley wanted the best possible experience within a mainstream setting. Southfields has gone above and beyond to support her youngest, addressing daily needs and continuing to provide exemplary care and assistance.

Professionally, Hayley owns and operates her own business in Peterborough and holds an NVQ Level 3 and a diploma in Hairdressing, showcasing her passion for creativity. Recently, she has also taken on casual work as an Exams Invigilator, a role she finds enjoyable and hopes to expand her knowledge in.

In her leisure time, Hayley enjoys reading, listening to music, writing occasionally, and spending time with friends. Above all, she cherishes moments with her family and their dog, especially during caravan trips.

Hayley is a keen member of the Southfields Governing Body family, aiming to bring a parental perspective to the school. She is enthusiastic about gaining deeper insights into Southfields' community, including its students and staff, as well as understanding the educational direction the school intends to pursue.

Jason Cox

Co-opted Governor

09.07.2024 - 08.07.2028

Jason, a retired bank manager with 20 years of experience, has been a dedicated lead volunteer at Sue Ryder since February 2020. In addition to his volunteer work there, he has also been a reading buddy and volunteer at Southfields  since 2021. His main aims in this role are to help children enjoy their reading and have fun with the books they choose, while also increasing reading standards. He started working with Year 3 students and is now supporting Year 6 students.

Since October 2021, Jason has also served as a Project Development Co-ordinator for Barnardo’s Children’s Charity, focusing on obtaining baby equipment for the NHS, child services, family workers, and other professionals. As a father to three beautiful daughters, Jason and his family have resided in Park Farm, Peterborough, since 2000.

Jason's aspiration to become a governor stemmed from his desire to make a difference and contribute his extensive experience to an already strong team of governors. He currently holds the positions of link governor to finance and joint safeguarding link governor, roles he approaches with the utmost respect and professionalism.

In his spare time, Jason enjoys sports, going on holidays, and fishing off his boat, though his busy schedule allows him limited time for these hobbies.

Mohammed Mirza

Co-opted Governor

18.03.2025 - 17.03.2029

Mohammed believes his experience in education and working with young adults can bring a valuable perspective to the governing board. He can contribute his knowledge of IT, curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and student support strategies. As a lecturer, he understands the importance of education in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities. His experience in further education can help bridge the gap between schools and colleges. He can guide the Headteacher and Governing body to pathways that smooth the transition for students and ensure a cohesive educational experience.

Mohammed sees serving as a governor as an opportunity for leadership development. He aims to gain experience in strategic planning, financial management, and decision-making, which can enhance his educational career prospects. By becoming a governor, he wants to actively contribute to the education and well-being of young people in the community. He hopes to make a positive impact on the future generation and provide them with insights into further education, overcoming challenges, and thriving.

He was particularly interested in becoming a governor at Southfields Primary School because of its commitment to outstanding education. As a lecturer in further education, he has witnessed the positive impact education can have on young people's lives. Mohammed believes his experience and skills can help Southfields Primary School continue to provide high-quality education for all students. Additionally, he is impressed by the school's strong connection to the local community and is eager to contribute to this important partnership.

Tina Mayes

Co-opted Governor

18.11.2025 - 17.11.2029

Tina is a retired NHS professional with 42 years of experience, having worked as a nursery nurse in NICU and as a newborn hearing screener at Peterborough Hospitals Trust. She has recently been appointed as Chairman of the 3rd Nene Scouts Trustees.

Tina previously served as a parent governor when her children were at primary school in Stilton and found the role rewarding, particularly in ensuring voices were heard from those not always represented. She is already involved with young people through the scout group and hopes to make a positive impact on the school's ongoing success.

Tina brings strong communication skills to the governor role, describing herself as a good communicator and listener who is friendly, respectful, reliable, flexible and adaptable. She works well both in a team and when leading a team. Her extensive background in healthcare, particularly in neonatal care, has given her experience working with children throughout her career, from babies to young adults. This experience, combined with her governance experience in the voluntary sector and previous school governor experience, positions her well to contribute to the governing board's strategic oversight and safeguarding responsibilities.

Paula McKillen

Co-opted Governor

18.11.2025 - 17.11.2029

Paula believes that being a governor will help her to give back meaningfully to her local community, support young people in reaching their full potential, gain fresh perspectives through engagement with diverse education stakeholders, and develop new skills whilst helping improve school performance through her experience in leading change and transformation. She is particularly drawn to the school's ethos emphasising self-belief, valuing others, happiness, pride, and creating a stimulating environment that promotes community and individual self-worth. She aligns strongly with the school's focus on developing communication skills and fostering a love for learning, seeing this as complementary to her professional background in leadership and performance improvement.

Paula brings extensive people leadership experience with a strong track record in mentoring and coaching, expertise in performance management, transformation and change management, project management capabilities with understanding of governance and controls, operational effectiveness experience, strong communication and public speaking abilities, technology and data knowledge, and critical thinking skills for addressing complex challenges whilst supporting the school's vision and continuous improvement.

Paula has completed extensive professional development including Leadership Coaching, Project Management, Effective Communication, Public Speaking, Mental Health Awareness, Myers Briggs, and LEAN/SIX SIGMA training. She has been with RS Group PLC since 2011, holding multiple roles across Process Excellence, Customer Experience, Sales, Project Management, Automation, and Data. Her key responsibilities have encompassed people and performance management, strategic planning and execution, operational effectiveness, coaching and mentoring, and communication and change management. She also has previous leadership experience in financial services. Paula serves as a mentor with Mission Include, the world's largest cross-company mentoring programme, which supports high-potential individuals from under-represented groups across all career levels.