MEET OUR GOVERNORS

Peter Hebden (Chair of Governors)

Peter was a County Councillor in Hatfield and sat on the Education and the Children and Young Persons Cabinet Panels, amongst others. He is a former Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and is involved with local charities as well as being the Chair of Trustees for Resolve. Peter’s experience of working with a local charity for children with special needs and the most vulnerable in society gave him the inspiration to support the children, parents and staff at Southfield.

Peter served for 32 years in the Metropolitan Police Service, prior to working in the NHS for 6 years before retiring.

Amrit Jandu (Vice Chair of Governors)

Amrit has always placed immense importance in the role that a school plays in the foundational years of a young person’s life and he feels privileged to be able to offer his support to Southfield as a Parent Governor.

Being a parent of a child at Southfield provides him with the motivation to help ensure that every child with additional needs can reach their full potential, thrive and that the children receive the best educational experience.

Toby Perrett (Co-Opted Governor)

Toby Perrett is an experienced Senior service engineer within the medical diagnostic field. Based around the UK and Europe he manages installations of Pathology equipment for healthcare providers including the NHS. Previous to this, Toby worked within the NHS for 10 years in the Blood Transfusion department.

Toby has strong links to Southfield school as his son has recently joined as a pupil. 

Toby  believes education plays a massive part in children’s futures and wants to support the school, pupils and staff in order that everyone in the Southfield community thrives.

Karen Woolfenden (Co-Opted Governor)

Karen Hemmings’ has had countless years’ experience in the childcare sector, including teaching in pupil referral unit, social care support, careers advice guidance and governor support.  Her dedication to meeting children’s needs has led to her ambition to continue to develop her skill set in children welfare and education, while ensuring they meet their full potential.

In current years her focus has been dedicated to meeting the needs of her son, constantly learning to readapt previous childcare knowledge to understand the needs of those with special needs, leading to her to develop a position of parent governor.

Karen will continue to support the school with her skill set and passion.

Gareth Brisbin (Co-Opted Governor)

Gareth has over two decades of extensive human resources experience and he brings a strategic approach to fostering organisational development. His professional journey spans talent acquisition, workforce planning, and project management across diverse sectors and geographies, showcasing his ability to deliver innovative solutions tailored to unique challenges. Having held leadership roles in educational and public sector settings, he has a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities within the education landscape.

As a school governor, he aims to apply his skills in strategic planning, compliance, and stakeholder engagement to support the Southfield’s mission and ensure every student reaches their full potential. His experience in fostering partnerships and championing initiatives aligns seamlessly with the role’s responsibilities, enabling him to make a lasting positive impact on the school’s governance and success.

Gemma Richardson

Paul Horsley (Parent Governor)

Paul Horsley has over 20-years’ experience working in social housing and for local government, specialising in property maintenance and investment, health and safety, housing management and finance along with supporting vulnerable and disabled residents through the provision of aids and adaptations to their homes.

Paul’s daughter attends Southfield School and Paul is passionate about supporting the governing body, teachers, and staff to continue to keep a happy and safe environment and maximising the life opportunities and aspirations of every child at Southfield.

Clarissa Walsh (Staff Governor)

Clarissa joined the Southfield team in 2016 as a Teaching Assistant. She went on to study a PGCE and returned to Southfield in September 2018 as a Class Teacher. Clarissa has worked with a range of learners across a number of phases whilst at Southfield and contributed to developing the curriculum.

Previously Clarissa worked a variety of roles as support staff in a number of primary schools and Early Years settings in the London Borough of Croydon. During this period, she worked as part of a team within an Enhanced Provision in a mainstream school and supported children with Special Educational Needs on a 1:1 basis. Clarissa is passionate about supporting the children and young people at Southfield and ensuring that every child meets their full potential.

To contact the Governors please use the following email address or telephone number: admin@southfield.herts.sch.uk 01707 276 504