Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• INSET Day at Southfield School: Strengthening Practice to Support Our Pupils

  Mon 29 Jun 2026

  Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility at Southfield School. Given the additional vulnerabilities some of our pupils may face, it is essential that all staff have a clear, shared understanding of safeguarding procedures and expectations.

  During the safeguarding session, staff refreshed their knowledge and understanding of:

  • Recognising signs of concern and vulnerability
  • Our safeguarding policies and reporting procedures
  • Acting promptly and confidently to protect pupils
  • Maintaining a strong culture of vigilance and care

  This training ensures that all staff remain alert, informed, and confident in their role in keeping our pupils safe, both physically and emotionally.

   

  Therapeutic Thinking Training

  The main focus during the INSET day was a full day of therapeutic thinking training. This approach is particularly well suited to our SEN setting, as it supports staff in understanding behaviour as a form of communication and responding in ways that promote emotional growth and wellbeing.

  The training explored how therapeutic thinking can be embedded consistently across the school, enabling staff to:

  • Better understand the underlying causes of behaviour
  • Respond calmly and consistently to challenging situations
  • Reduce anxiety and support emotional regulation
  • Build strong, trusting relationships with pupils
  • Encourage reflection, repair, and positive choices

   

  Rather than focusing solely on behaviour management, therapeutic thinking helps us support pupils to develop emotional understanding and resilience, creating a more positive and supportive learning environment.
  
  How This Benefits Our Pupils

  The impact of this training is seen in our everyday practice and brings clear benefits for our pupils:

  • Improved emotional wellbeing, through supportive and empathetic responses
  • Stronger relationships, as pupils feel understood, safe, and valued
  • A calmer, safer school environment, where consistency and care are prioritised
  • Increased engagement in learning, as pupils feel secure and supported
  • Development of essential life skills, including emotional regulation and communication

   

  Our Ongoing Commitment

  INSET days such as this reflect Southfield School’s ongoing commitment to professional development and continuous improvement. By investing in our staff, we are investing in our pupils.
  
  The knowledge and strategies gained from this day will continue to shape our practice, ensuring that Southfield School remains a nurturing, safe, and inclusive environment where every pupil is supported to thrive.

  

• Southfield School Awarded Gold School Games Mark

  Thu 25 Jun 2026

  Southfield School is proud to announce that we have once again been awarded the Gold School Games Mark, a prestigious national recognition celebrating excellence in physical education, school sport and the promotion of active lifestyles.

   

  This achievement reflects the continued dedication of our staff, pupils and wider school community in creating a positive, inclusive and engaging environment where all children can develop confidence, physical skills and a lifelong enjoyment of being active. As a SEND school, ensuring that every pupil can access meaningful and appropriate physical activity remains at the heart of our provision.

   

  Feedback from the School Games organisers praised the breadth and quality of opportunities available at Southfield, noting:
   

  “The evidence you provided is fantastic and truly highlights the wide range of opportunities available in physical activity at Southfield. I can clearly see your school’s commitment to promoting and developing physical activity as well as physical literacy.”

   

  Throughout the year, pupils have taken part in a wide variety of physical activities both in and beyond the school day. These include enriched PE lessons supported by specialist coaches in dance, gymnastics, archery, tennis and golf, alongside regular sessions led by sports coaches and visiting professionals. Partnerships with external providers, such as Brocket Hall, Bishop’s Stortford and Hertfordshire Disability Sport Foundation, have further enhanced pupils’ experiences, including successful ‘Learn to Ride’ sessions where children developed confidence and independence on bikes.

   

  Off-site opportunities have played an important role in broadening pupils’ experiences, with visits to swimming pools, golf courses, athletics events, archery centres and inclusive sports festivals. Highlights also included the Presidents’ Day event at St Luke’s, participation in community fun runs, speed stacking competitions, and events such as This Girl Can and TAP at Gosling.

   

  In addition, pupils have benefited from Forest School, equine therapy for identified children, sensory-friendly play visits, international dance celebrations and whole-school workshops such as skipping and Bollywood dance. Extra-curricular opportunities have been strengthened through clubs, PTA-organised weekend soft play sessions for families, and enrichment activities designed to support wellbeing, social interaction and physical development.

   

  At Southfield, we remain committed to:

  • Promoting physical activity and wellbeing
  • Ensuring inclusive access to sport for all pupils
  • Developing confidence, teamwork, resilience and physical literacy
  • Encouraging healthy, active lifestyles beyond the school day

   

  This award is a true reflection of our whole-school approach and would not be possible without the ongoing support of families and partners. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Sarah Monk, Subject Lead for Physical Education, whose dedication and hard work have been instrumental in achieving this recognition.

   

  We look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide the very best physical activity opportunities for our pupils.

  

• Southfield School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM)

  Tue 23 Jun 2026

  We are delighted to announce that Southfield School has been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM), a nationally recognised accreditation that celebrates excellence in science leadership, curriculum design, teaching and learning.

   

  The award, led by the University of Hertfordshire, recognises schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to developing high-quality science education and ensuring that all children have access to engaging, meaningful and inspiring science experiences.

   

  This achievement is particularly significant as it reflects a whole-school commitment to continually improving opportunities for our pupils and ensuring that science is accessible, ambitious and relevant to every learner.

   

  The PSQM review team praised Southfield's commitment to science, recognising that science now holds strategic importance within the school and highlighting the active involvement of leaders, governors, staff and the wider school community in strengthening science provision.

   

  The report also recognised the positive impact of curriculum development, noting that pupils now demonstrate a greater awareness of the relevance of science to themselves and others and are making meaningful connections with their learning.

   

  Particular praise was given to the innovative approaches used to support our pupils, including the use of symbols, Makaton signing, sentence frames and word banks to enhance access to science learning.

   

  One of the most powerful outcomes identified by the reviewers was the growing confidence and self-belief demonstrated by our pupils. They commented on how encouraging it was to hear children describing themselves as scientists, reflecting increased confidence, self-esteem and a growing can-do attitude towards learning.

   

  The accreditation is valid for three years and provides Southfield with the opportunity to continue its journey through the PSQM national programme. A special thank you goes to Kate O'Neill, our Science Lead, whose dedication, leadership and passion for science have driven this work forward. We are also grateful to our staff, pupils, governors and families whose collective support has contributed to this achievement.

  

• Sam Rostom visits Southfield School

  Mon 22 Jun 2026

  On Monday 22nd June 2026, Southfield School was delighted to welcome Sam Rostom, Head of Improvement and Transformation for Hertfordshire County Council's Inclusion and Skills Directorate, to our school.
  
  During her visit, Sam spent time meeting with pupils and staff, learning more about the exceptional work taking place across Southfield and gaining an insight into the experiences of children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.
  
  The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the school's commitment to ensuring that every pupil is supported to achieve their full potential through a highly personalised curriculum, specialist interventions and a nurturing, inclusive environment. Sam met with members of staff from across the school and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing specialist education, as well as the importance of partnership working between education, health and local authority services.
  
  Pupils were proud to share their learning, achievements and experiences of life at Southfield. Sam was able to see first-hand the positive relationships, high aspirations and dedication that underpin our school community.
  
  As Head of Improvement and Transformation, Sam plays a key role in leading strategic improvement across SEND and inclusion services within Hertfordshire. We were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the needs of children and young people with SEND and to highlight the importance of ensuring that specialist provision continues to evolve to meet the needs of our most vulnerable learners.
  
  We would like to thank Sam for taking the time to visit Southfield and for her interest in the work of our pupils, staff and families. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Hertfordshire County Council to improve outcomes and opportunities for children and young people with SEND.
  
  #TeamSouthfield #HighAspirations #SEND #Inclusion #Hertfordshire #SouthfieldSchool

  

• Sports Day 2026

  Wed 17 Jun 2026

  Southfield School Celebrates Two-Day Sports Day Success

   

  Southfield School hosted a vibrant two-day Sports Day event, bringing together pupils, families, and staff in a celebration of participation, achievement, and inclusive learning.

   

  The event, held across two sunny days, was widely praised as a “truly fabulous” occasion, where every child was encouraged to take part and shine in their own way. Unlike traditional competitive sports events, Southfield’s Sports Day placed a strong emphasis on inclusion, confidence-building, and personal achievement, ensuring that every pupil felt valued and supported.

   

  From the outset, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Parents and carers played a key role, offering enthusiastic encouragement and celebrating each child’s efforts, regardless of outcome. Their unwavering support created a positive and uplifting environment where pupils felt safe to participate, try new activities, and develop essential skills.

   

  At Southfield, Sports Day is not simply a highlight of the school calendar, it was introduced as an integral part of the pupils’ learning experience and has continued to go from strength to strength. For many of the school’s pupils, who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), structured physical activity provides a unique and impactful opportunity for development.

   

  Throughout the event, pupils engaged in a wide variety of  sports and activities designed to promote motor skills and coordination. These activities allowed children to improve balance, strength, and control of movement in a way that was both enjoyable and accessible. Staff carefully structured each session to ensure that every pupil could participate meaningfully, with tailored support where needed.

   

  Beyond the physical benefits, Sports Day also had a significant impact on pupils’ emotional and psychological wellbeing.

   

  The joy of taking part in activities, combined with the encouragement from peers, staff, and family members, helped to boost self-esteem and reduce anxiety. For many pupils, it provided a safe and positive outlet for expressing energy and emotions, contributing to a more confident approach both on and off the field.

   

  The event also fostered social development and inclusion, as pupils were supported to interact, cooperate, and communicate with one another. Through teamwork and shared experiences, many pupils strengthened friendships and developed important social skills in a nurturing environment.

   

  For children who may find social interaction challenging, such opportunities are invaluable in reducing feelings of isolation and building a sense of belonging.

   

  In addition, Sports Day contributed to cognitive and academic development. Research shows that physical activity supports improved concentration, memory, and classroom behaviour. By integrating sport into the learning experience, Southfield School continues to reinforce the connection between physical wellbeing and academic success.

   

  Activities were carefully planned, and staff provided tailored guidance to ensure that all pupils could fully access and benefit from the experience. This commitment to inclusivity reflects the school’s ethos of enabling every child to reach their full potential.

   

  As the two-day event came to a close, it was clear that Sports Day had achieved far more than simply encouraging physical activity. It brought the school community together, celebrated individual progress, and reinforced the importance of inclusive education.

   

  For Southfield School, Sports Day is not just an event, it is a powerful demonstration of how learning, wellbeing, and enjoyment can come together to support every pupil’s journey.

  

• Music for Autism's Derek Paravicini visits Southfield

  Tue 16 Jun 2026

  Southfield School was delighted to welcome back Music for Autism, who have previously attended the school, for a truly uplifting musical experience. The children were treated to a live performance by the remarkable Derek Paravicini, who has absolute pitch and can play any piece of music after hearing it once! The pupils were therefore serenaded with music spanning a wide range of genres.

   

  The session was highly interactive, with pupils given the opportunity to request their favourite songs. This personalised approach created a wonderful atmosphere of engagement and excitement, and it was especially heart‑warming to hear many of the children singing along with joy and confidence. The shared experience filled the room with smiles, laughter and a genuine sense of connection.

   

  For pupils at Southfield School, hearing music in a social setting brings many important benefits. Live music supports communication, emotional expression and social interaction, while also helping pupils feel calm, regulated and included. Group musical experiences encourage turn‑taking, listening skills and shared attention, all of which are key areas of ongoing development for children with SEND.

   

  The visit was not only an enjoyable event but also a meaningful learning opportunity, demonstrating the powerful role music can play in supporting wellbeing, confidence and social development. Southfield School is grateful to Music for Autism and Derek Paravicini for creating such a memorable and enriching experience for the children.

  

• Presidents Day 2026- A hit with Jays class

  Fri 12 Jun 2026

  As part of Southfield School’s annual Presidents’ Day celebrations, the Jays class enjoyed a rewarding and fun day. The day offered pupils the chance to take part in a range of inclusive sporting activities in a supportive and well-structured environment.

   

  The children participated in table tennis, basketball and trampolining, developing their physical coordination, balance and confidence. Time on the bouncy castles added to the excitement and encouraged turn-taking, patience and shared enjoyment with peers. Even when a rainstorm arrived, pupils showed resilience and flexibility, continuing to engage positively with the day’s activities.

   

  For pupils at Southfield School, experiences like this are an important part of their ongoing development. Taking learning beyond the classroom helps support communication skills, social interaction, emotional regulation and independence. Physical activities also play a vital role in supporting sensory needs and overall wellbeing.

   

  While the Presidents’ Day visit was great fun for the Jays, it was also a meaningful educational experience, carefully designed to support each child’s individual needs and help them build skills that will benefit them both in school and beyond.