John Durance

Chair

Co-opted Governor

John was born in Peterborough and has lived and worked in the city for most of his life. His late wife, Thelma was a retired Primary School Head Teacher; they have two children and four grandchildren. After successfully completing ‘A Levels’ at Deacons Grammar School, he studied at Leicester School of Architecture becoming a Chartered Architect in 1971. John worked for over 35 years in a well-known local firm of architects, a partner/director for 25 years, retiring in 2007. He has been involved in many local community organisations including GP Tec, dealing with adult training and education, the local Health Authority and Peterborough Development Agency, promoting our city nationally and internationally. John is passionate about the importance of education, particularly primary education. He believes that it is vital that our children are given the best possible start in life by having a thorough grounding in basic skills as well as an understanding of the world around them. Their primary school days should be stimulating, exciting and above all happy and should give them an appetite for lifelong learning which will enable them to be successful in life. Southfields has been acknowledged as an outstanding school and John did not hesitate to accept the invitation to become a governor in 2015. He hopes to contribute, in some small way, to the continued success of the school, one to which we are proud to send our children and grandchildren.

Cllr Brian Rush

Local Authority Governor

Brian has lived in Stanground for over 35 years. He is married to Rita and is a father and grandfather. After leaving Old Fletton Secondary Modern School, he joined Baker Perkins as an apprentice. He retired in 2014 after working all of his life as a mechanical engineer. Brian has served as a Peterborough City Councillor representing Stanground for over 20 years. He has served on many committees. Over the years he has been involved in many local community organisations including Stanground Community Association (SCA), Italian Community Association (ICA) and Cardea Community Sports Association (CCSA). Brian has been a governor at Southfields since the year 2000 and feels strongly the importance of giving a good start to life to the youngsters of the school. Brian is inspired by the inspirational Headteacher Laura Martin and the amazing team of teachers and staff. He feels privileged to be able to work with this Southfields family. Brian ensures the school is run smoothly, is a critical friend and is always available if any member of the staff needs to discuss an issue, in confidence, whether it is about a school or personal issue. He is proud to be a member of this amazing school. Vision Children of all abilities should have the best education available in a safe and caring environment. They should have an enjoyable school life benefiting from excellent teaching and enjoy a wide range of opportunities, in school or on outside trips, to develop their talents, skills and help them live their dreams.

 Laura Martin

Headteacher

BEd Honors – First Class Specialising in Primary Education - Mathematics and the Arts

NPQH – National Professional Qualification for Headteachers

NLE – National Leader of Education

NPPR- National Pupil Premium Reviewer

DSL – Designated Safeguarding Leader

CCET - Educational Testing - Masters level Post Graduate qualification 

NASENCO - Special Needs Post Graduate Programme

SLCN Masters level - specialising in speech, Language and communication 

Elklan - Level 4 and Communication Friendly school lead

Makaton - Level 4 

PECS - Level 1 

Theory and Practice of Nurture Principles - Post Graduate 

ACES  and Trauma - Specialist Certificates 

Relational Practice - Specialist Certificate 

I have been employed at Southfields Primary for many years. I have taught across all age groups and classes as big as 43 in previous teaching jobs.  I have  dedicated my 'life work' to the school and our wonderful community. I have seen many changes to the school and worked incredibly hard with the team to maintain an amazing education for our pupils for many years.  During my time here I have worked with some inspirational leaders, teachers, support staff. Many leaders who have left the school are Headteachers today. I feel privileged to work in such a creative environment, with the most amazing team of highly skilled professionals.  Education is very important to me and I am currently studying for a Masters Degree at Bath University in areas that I feel will strengthen my leadership of SEND in our school.  I am registered with the Psychology Assocation and am trained to complete a range of educational tests.  

My personal interests link to both nature and being outdoors flura and Fauna and also anything linked to 'speed' such as Cars and Motor Sports, I love track days and Motor bikes, I am a keen Mountain Biker and Snowboarder. I like everything to be organised but am also spontaneous and seize the moment. I love creativity in the arts including fashion and sculpture. I love reading especially children’s  books and Tudor history or learning about people who have changed history in the past through their good work.   I enjoy cooking and films  (I admit to finding the cinema hard work as I might have to sit for more than 10 minutes ...which I am not very good at) I love the theatre and walking.  I love music all kinds of music  and think every child should learn to play and read music.

I am an extremely bouncy, happy and positive person, I try to see the good in nearly every situation and pride myself on building relationships and problem-solving situations. I love life and travel often. I am interested in new places and learning from all kinds of people. I love to draw and paint, I enjoy fabrics, fine art and colour. I am a highly creative person who loves galleries and exhibitions. I have an interest in history and learning about explorers, especially the North and South Poles, I am addicted to IQ tests and have an IQ of 149 and love Mensa.

I am also interested in making links with schools and learning about other faiths and cultures regionally, nationally and making global links. I love to work with pupils who find life tricky and am proud of the work we do  within school with those pupils who may have had difficulties at home or experienced trauma in their lives’, Pupil Premium, pupils with behaviour difficulties and also believe in the programmes we deliver in our work in Speech and Language is outstanding.

The school is proud that pupils go on to do well at Universities and one of the Pupils from our Speech and Language department has now completed 'Oxford University'. I believe children are the future. We need to help them to become the best they can be in a safe, caring and kind environment. I also think children should be told when they are wrong or behave in a way that isn’t kind, and I am very honest. The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead I take very seriously, and I make sure all the children are safe whilst ensuring staff have increased awareness of safeguarding.  I value and teach protected characteristics regularly in assemblies and highlights of my day include meeting and greeting at the gate each day as well as spending lunchtime with the children playing and learning together. 

 Lauren Westley

Staff Governor

I have been teaching for 8 years now after gaining my PGCE at Anglia Ruskin University. Prior to this, I studied a BA in History at the University of Sheffield. I have been lucky enough to gain a range of experience since beginning my teaching career. I have taught in both mainstream schools and Special Education and greatly enjoyed both experiences. I enjoy applying the knowledge and skills from Special Education into the classroom, ranging from behaviour and differentiation to a very creative and hands-on approach which works so well with the Southfields environment. This is my sixth year at Southfields and I have enjoyed expanding my roles and responsibilities, such as gaining an EAL Quality Mark and leading training sessions for staff and TA’s.  I became a Governor in my second year here at Southfields and I greatly enjoy the experience. It broadens my knowledge of the deeper workings of the school and allows me to keep track of progress and expectations across all-year groups which could otherwise be challenging in such a large school.

My favourite subjects:

¨ Reading—I love to teach and explore books in guided reading and think it is fantastic to watch a child’s journey through a story.

¨ History—It is a big passion of mine following on from my degree.

¨ English—It is great fun to share how creative we can be with words and writing styles.

¨ Science – Questioning and discovering are an essential part of Science and our daily lives!

Things I love

I read History at Sheffield University and have a strong interest in the past and how it impacts our lives today. I keep this passion alive by reading outside of school, attending a book club and going to museums. I also enjoy swimming and spending time outdoors or curled up on the sofa with my cat. I love to travel and explore other cultures as much as possible and most recently I learnt to ski, which will impact future travel plans.

Mr Jason Mitchell

Co-opted Governor

Jason lives just up the road in Cardea and my son was a pupil at Southfields. Jason trained as an actor at Mountview Theatre School and then worked as a professional actor for 19 years. He then joined Peterborough Regional College as a lecturer on the BTEC Performing Arts course and the Performing Arts Degree at University Centre Peterborough, where he now works part-time. Jason also has a theatre company called Small Nose Productions, which is a theatre company that makes new works and delivers workshops. At present, Small Nose are developing their show which is based on a book called – I Had a Black Dog…his name was Depression. Jason joined the Southfields’ Governing Body in January 2017. I believe that education is a broad term and happens in all areas of school life. I believe in the idea of creativity in education and that learning needs to be fun, interesting and challenging. I am particularly interested in Human Behaviour and Pupil Voice. I am currently studying for my PhD. 

Jez Lumb

Co-opted Governor

Hi  I am Jez I work in industry and enjoy the opportunity of coming to school. I have experience of leading teams and have expertise in computing.  I have a wonderful family and like to spend time with them. I enjoy finding out more about schools and how pupils learn.  I am approachable and committed to this school for many years. 

Joanne Cook

Co-opted Governor

Hi I am Jo Cook, the Mummy to two girls currently attending Southfields Primary. Since my eldest started four years ago I have been impressed with the whole ethos of Southfields School, the opportunities it offers its students and the way in which it brings the wider community together. Early in 2019 I joined the 'Governing Body' in the hope that my background in teaching would stand me in good stead to give something back to the school which had already given my two girls so many opportunities and fantastic memories. I am also an active member of the school’s PTA and have enjoyed fundraising for the school, allowing resources to be purchased to enhance the children’s experiences within school. Education is my profession but also my passion. I believe wholeheartedly that learning should be fun, hands-on and one that understands the holistic child. I will enjoy undertaking my role as Curriculum Link governor and look forward to seeing all the great learning opportunities “Team Southfields” offer its students.

Liam Boyle

Co-opted Governor

Liam lives in Bretton and has grandchildren at Southfields. Liam moved to Peterborough in 1983 when the company for which he worked relocated here. Previously he lived in Nottingham where he was born. He was educated at High Pavement Grammar School. Liam worked for the Road Haulage Association for most of his working life during which time he undertook a wide variety of roles including representing the UK road haulage industry on social regulation committees in Brussels and on Regional Development Agencies in UK. He established various commercial services within the Association, including a training division to provide driver and management training. He retired in 2008. Liam has been a governor at Southfields since October 2018. He believes that primary education should provide a broad spectrum of exciting and encouraging learning experiences that enable children to become well rounded and to carry forward an enthusiasm for future learning.

 Emma Peacock

Co-opted Governor 

 Luciana Isnovuio

Parent Governor

Hi, I'm Luciana Isnovoiu. I am a parent of a pupil in school and also a Teaching Assistant here at Southfields. I am very involved in school life and have joined the Governing Body as I would like to be able to contribute more to helping the school achieve its aim of a holistically rounded child.

I am a teacher by profession, with 12 years experience teaching Geography and EAL in Romania.  I was actively involved in developing and adjusting the curriculum to students’ needs. I have worked with children from different backgrounds, and I am really passionate about creating inspiring learning environments that are accessible to all and generate a love of learning for life.

Being a governor gives me the opportunity to use the skills I have developed working in schools, for the benefit of the children. My career as a teacher in Secondary Education has helped me acknowledge how much of an impact the early years of education have on a child’s life, academically and socially, as well as emotionally. 

Being a mum of a child who attends Southfields, and seeing the way in which their schooling has become such a big part of their life, motivated me even more to become a governor. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to join the governing body at Southfields Primary School and to be able to support all the amazing work that they do.

Hayley Stapleton

Parent Governor

I chose Southfields for my children to attend not only because I am local to the setting but because it had a good reputation at putting its pupils first. The school welcomed my eldest with open arms when he started in Yr 5 and encouraged him to thrive in his education. 

My youngest being a SEND child, we wanted her to have the best she could within a mainstream setting. Southfields went above and beyond to help her and to fulfill her day to day needs, they continue to do this. 

I currently own and run my own business within Peterborough, I have an NVQ Level 3 and diploma in Hairdressing. I have a passion for being creative. 

I have recently taken on casual work as an Exams Invigilator. I have enjoyed this job so far and will be hoping to improve and further my knowledge within this field. 

I enjoy reading, listening to music, sometimes writing, spending time with friends, but mainly I enjoy spending time with my family and our dog in our caravan. 

I am looking forward to being a part of the Southfields 'Governing Body' family and hopefully bringing a parents' voice and perspective to the school. I am also looking forward to learning more about Southfields and its pupils and staff as well as the type of education the school looks to provide going forward. 

Co-opted Governor

Approached the Police for a representative who we are consulting with and also approached and consulting with an ECO specialist and Author