Mr 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.

Mrs 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

Southfields Primary School is my third post. I have taught across all age groups and classes of 43. I have been at Southfields for nearly 20 years and came initially as Deputy but love the Community so much I have since dedicated my life work to the school. I have seen many changes to the school and worked incredibly hard to maintain the Ofsted Outstanding grade for many years. In my time here I have worked with some inspirational Teachers who have gone out to do well in their career and some are Headteachers today. I feel privileged to work in such a creative environment, with the most amazing team of highly skilled professionals.

My interests include Cars and Motor Sports I love track days and Motor bikes, I am a keen Mountain Biker and Snowboarder, I like everything to be tidy and organised but am quite spontaneous and seize the moment. I love fashion and crafts hence all the sewing machines in school and the urge to teach every child to use them regularly. I love reading especially children’s picture books and Tudor history, I enjoy cooking and films although I find the cinema hard as I might have to sit for more than 10 minutes which I am not very good at! I love the theatre and walking around London. I love music all kinds of music but especially Skater Music and American Sub’ 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 am really good at 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 explores especially the North and South Poles, I am addicted to IQ tests and have an IQ of 159 and love Mensa.

I am also interested in making links with schools and learning about other faiths and cultures regionally, nationally and global links. I love to work with pupils who find life tricky and am proud of the work we have done with ‘Looked After Children’, Pupil Premium, pupils with behaviour difficulties and believe our work in Speech and Language is outstanding as is our work with vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The school is proud that pupils go onto to do well at University and one of the Pupils from our Speech and Language department is now at Oxford University. I believe children are the future and 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 was specified in the Children Act 2004 and ensured the every organisation had a “named person” for safeguarding children and young people Key Aspects of the Designated Person role include Making sure all of the children are safe whilst ensuring staff are aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns. Ensuring all staff have regular training and understand the symptoms of child abuse, neglect, radicalisation-extreme behaviour. Referring any concerns whilst also working with Social Care and the Police to support pupils. Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records and also supporting a strong team to work with families at the early help stage to support improvements.

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY CAREER

· Working with children and families to improve outcomes and provide and outstanding education

· Receiving two Outstanding Ofsted Visits

· Being able to support raising standards in other schools beyond our own through the National Leader work

· Raising standards in Pupil Premium within and beyond the school as a Pupil Premium national review

· National Pupil Premium Reviewer and the school being recognised by winning regional Government Pupil Premium .

Mr Jason Mitchell

Co-opted Governor

Jason lives just up the road in Cardea and has a son 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 in 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 make new work and deliver 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. Jason believes that education is a broad term and happens in all areas of school life. He believes in the idea of creativity in education and that learning needs to be fun, interesting and challenging.

Mrs 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. In the future I hope to build on this knowledge of SEN and continue to incorporate this into the EAL leadership. 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 on the sofa with my cat. I love to travel and explore other cultures as much as possible and most recently I learned to ski which will impact future travel plans.

Mr Jez Lumb

Co-opted Governor

Mrs 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.

Mr 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.

Co-opted Governor

Vacancy

Co-opted Governor

Vacancy

Parent Governor

Vacancy

Parent Governor

Vacancy

Ms Emma Peacock

Staff Governor 

I have been teaching for 11 years and have spent 5 of those years here at Southfields. I was also fortunate enough to have been a pupil here and now I am also a parent. I have taught across both mainstream and special school and have worked with children ranging from early years to KS5. I chose Southfields because of its wonderful reputation in the community. I wanted to be part of the team that gave the children in the community the best chances and opportunities throughout their primary education. It was important to me to work in a school where the children are at the heart of all of the decisions being made. I have a passion for working with and supporting children that have additional needs and I am always looking for ways to make education more inclusive to all. This includes helping those children who do not have additional needs to communicate with and learn about others who may be different to them. I think this is an important skill for all children to have. I decided to nominate myself as a school governor two and half years ago so I could become a voice for the staff and share their views with the rest of the governing body. I have really enjoyed this role as it has allowed me to work in all areas of school with pupils and staff that I would not normally get to work with often. I am enjoying learning about how each of the teams in school works and seeing the continuous learning journey of the children in school. In my spare time I enjoy reading and exploring outdoor spaces with my family where we like to take our dog on long walks. I also enjoy learning about aspects of History especially world war 2. I am interested in exotic animals and at home I have a panther chameleon and a corn snake. I enjoy reading particularly with the children in school when we get to play the parts of the different characters in the book.