Southfield Primary and Nursery School

What do Governors at Southfield Primary and Nursery School do? 

• Together with the head-teacher we are responsible for making sure Southfield Primary and Nursery school (Academy) provides good quality education.
• We provide challenge and support to the head-teacher, drawing on our own knowledge and experience.
• We make decisions together on matters such as performance, targets, school policies and school development plans.
• We monitor the impact of policies and oversee school budgets and staffing.
• We report on school achievements and respond to inspection recommendations.
• We hear appeals from pupils and staff and consider complaints.
• We ask searching questions and act as a critical friend to the school
• We support all the staff and recognise them as professionals

The Governing Body meets several times a term usually in the evening and Governors visit the school frequently in their monitoring role. Our Chair of Governors is Simon Cartwright and we are represented by parents and members of the wider community, please see below for more information about us. Governors can be contacted through the school and consulted on any matter that concerns the Governing Body as a whole.

In the future, at least one of us will attend events such as parents' evenings; we are an approachable group and are keen to hear your views so please come and talk to us.

Governors

Who are we?

NIGEL ANDREWS – LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR

Nigel Andrews (Andy) married to Marie (43 years). I have been an LA Governor since March 2008. I became a governor to support my twin granddaughters at the school and to offer my business experience. I have lived in Brackley for the past 6 years. With regard to my career, I started as an Accountant and Credit Manager for the Adler Typewriter company, moved onto sales with Hitachi in 1975 and founded Samsung Electronics in the UK in 1984.

SIMON CARTWRIGHT – CHAIR OF GOVERNORS

I have lived in Brackley for the last 14 years. I became a Parent Governor in 2006 and have 2 children at the school. I was initially involved in the Friends of Southfield School and found this very rewarding. When a parent governor position became available I decided that I would like to offer my experience drawn from outside the education sector to the school. I find working with the staff and other members of the governing body on the strategic aspects of the school in order to raise standards of achievement for all pupils hugely rewarding.

JANET DINGVEAN – HEADTEACHER

I became Headteacher at Southfield in September 2004. Previously I was Head at a school in London. However when my family and I decided to move to Brackley in December 2003 I found myself missing the buzz of living and working in the same community. Southfield’s children needed a Headteacher and I was the lucky person who got the job. I live in Brackley with my husband Michael, a driving instructor. I have 3 children and currently 5 grandchildren. Three of these attend Southfield. I have the best job in the world. Working with children is both fun and rewarding with never a dull moment.

JASON HORNER - PARENT GOVERNOR

I live extremely close to Southfield School, the eldest of my three children is in Year 2, and my two younger children aren't too far away from Reception. Effectively Southfield is very much a valued part of my community and I am very keen that Southfield delivers to its prospectus and beyond. I work as an engineering consultant specialising in water and energy infrastructure and enjoy experiencing new activities, in particular new challenges, whenever possible.

AMANDA LYNAM – COMMUNITY GOVERNOR

I have been a governor at Southfield School, on and off for about 8 years, and my colleagues elected me as Chair back in 2006. I handed over the Chair this year. I sit on the governing body as a Community governor. I have lived in Brackley for 12 years, having originally moved to the area for work, with my husband and 3 children: Oliver who is at Magdalen College School and Jessica and Harvey who are now at Southfield. I joined the governing body as a means of giving something back into the community and by bringing experience from a business background as well as being used to the encumbrances of working within the public sector. I believe very strongly that all the children at Southfield are individuals and I am very proud of the way that is expressed through-out the school. As a family we can often be seen at school/town events – Spruce up the School day, the Carnival, as well as most school productions and have been known to create the odd vegetable patch or two, and my husband attends the Year 6 residential trip each year (he is ever so slightly more adventurous than me!!).

JAYNE MURPHY – COMMUNITY GOVERNOR

I have lived in Brackley for 7 years having moved here from Poulton-le Fylde in Lancashire. My daughter is now in Year 3. When a governor vacancy was advertised I decided I would like to play a part in supporting the school and became a community governor in March 2010. I believe that as I work in the education sector my knowledge and experience will be of use to the school. I am looking forward to working with staff, pupils and parents to raise the profile of Southfield in the wider community.

FRED NEWPORT – COMMUNITY GOVERNOR

I moved to Brackley in 1988, moving from Lytham St Annes to be closer to my daughter and her family. My granddaughters attended Southfield and I joined the then P.T.A. and was invited to become a Parent Governor. When my granddaughters left the school I transferred to Community Governor and have now served for eight years. I currently serve on the Premises, Community and Finance & Personnel Committees. Being retired I am able to devote the time and frequently visit the school during term time. I enjoy the involvement in being a governor and the interest it gives me in the community.

STUART PARKHURST – PARENT GOVERNOR

I have lived in Brackley with my wife Keli and two children Georgia and Mathew since May 2001. I decided to become a governor to try and make a difference to my children's education, and educational environment. I am a professional in property management and give my work experience in helping maintain the school on the premises committee. To help understand what is taught to the children I also decided to be a part of the curriculum committee.

Blake Stimpson – Community Governor

Married to Joan for 51 years, with two adult daughters. Joan, who was previously the bursar at Southfield School is now deceased.

Ex National Service Soldier

Ex Headmaster

Town councillor 33 years, twice Town Mayor

District councillor 22 years, once Chairman

Interests C A B, Victim Support, Legal Right, Brackley Cottage Hospital

WENDY WILLIE – CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS

I have been clerk to the Governing Body and its committees since May 2006. I enjoy working with the governors and staff at the school and am pleased to part of the school community.

LEE MARLAND – Parent Governor

I moved to Brackley with my wife, Rachel, in 2003. We chose Southfield for our son, because of the passion shown by the head-teacher and the school reminded us of our primary schools. Ever since our son started at school, we’ve supported as much we can, through FOSS fundraising events, but I knew that I wanted even more involvement. I volunteered to become a Parent Governor in January 2012, and hope that I provide a balanced view, gained from being a parent and working across many functions in the FMCG industry.

Jennifer Walker – STAFF Governor

Before qualifying as a teacher, I worked in a Private Nursery and later became a Nanny for a family of four children aged between 3 months and 9 years. After working with the family for seven years, my employer encouraged me to train as a Primary School Teacher, where I specialised in Early Years.

I became a teacher at Southfield School almost 5 years ago after my family relocated from Wales. I have 2 children of Primary School age.

When a governor vacancy became available, I decided I would like to further support the school by representing the hard working, highly skilled staff at Southfield. I find working with the governing body has given me a broader perspective on the issues facing schools.

My experience as a mother and teacher provides a contextual framework where my separate 'roles' allow me to take differing objective viewpoints to matters that affect the school. This knowledge is drawn from previous teaching placements, methods of working and awareness of other school environments providing benchmarks for our performance and targeted development in issues we face as a school.

KERRY MOORE - PARENT GOVERNOR

I have lived in Brackley with my husband Jason for over ten years and have two children Riley and Roman (aged 5 and 2yrs). I recently offered my services as a parent governor as I felt I had some skills that may be of use and wanted to take an active part in the way the school is run.

ANNA CRANIDGE – SUPPORT STAFF GOVERNOR

I have lived in Brackley with my husband and 2 children since October 1995. Both of my children attended Southfield School and are now at Secondary School and College. I have been working at Southfield since 2001 and have worked in all year groups. Now, I am currently working in Reception , run Lunch Club and help out at After School Club.