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

• Southfield School Delighted to Welcome Lynn Chesterman OBE as Governor

  Wed 14 Oct 2026

  Southfield School is proud and delighted to welcome Lynn Chesterman OBE to our Governing Board.
  
  The appointment of a governor is always significant, but it is particularly exciting when someone of Lynn's experience, dedication and commitment to public service chooses to support our school community. We are deeply grateful that she has accepted this role and look forward to the insight, challenge and encouragement she will bring as we continue striving to provide the very best outcomes for our pupils.

  Lynn has spent much of her professional life championing vulnerable children, families and communities. Her career began within social services before she went on to spend more than 30 years in chief executive roles across the voluntary sector, including leading organisations supporting older people and vulnerable children and families. Her outstanding contribution to this work was recognised through the award of an OBE.
  
  Alongside her extensive leadership experience, Lynn has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service within the local community. She has served as a councillor for Lynn Chesterman OBE's local authority and was appointed Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield in 2025, continuing a long record of advocating for local residents, supporting families and championing initiatives that make a positive difference in people's lives.
  
  What makes Lynn's appointment particularly valuable to Southfield is how closely her experience aligns with our vision and values. At Southfield, our vision is to support all children to thrive during their time at school and to be fully prepared socially, emotionally and academically for their next steps in education. This is achieved through recognising every child as an individual, creating a strong safeguarding culture, delivering a curriculum that meets pupils' needs, working collaboratively with families and external partners, and ensuring pupils have the confidence and skills to participate fully in society.
  
  Lynn's professional background reflects many of these same priorities. Her years of work with vulnerable children and families demonstrate a deep understanding of the importance of early help, safeguarding and partnership working. Her leadership across the voluntary sector has focused on broadening opportunities, reducing inequalities and ensuring that individuals are valued and supported to achieve their potential. These principles sit at the heart of Southfield's mission and will undoubtedly strengthen the strategic guidance and challenge provided by our governing body.
  
  As a school, we place great importance on ensuring that every learner has a voice, develops confidence and resilience, and is equipped with the skills to navigate their future with independence and self-belief. We know that Lynn's experience of working alongside children, families, community organisations and public services will bring a valuable perspective as we continue to develop opportunities and outcomes for all our pupils.
  
  On behalf of our pupils, families, staff and governors, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Lynn Chesterman OBE for taking on this important role. We are honoured that she has chosen to share her expertise with Southfield School and are excited about the positive contribution she will make in the years ahead.
  
  Welcome to Southfield, Lynn. We are delighted to have you as part of our journey and look forward to working together to ensure every child is supported to thrive, succeed and realise their potential.

• Why Southfield Has a Librarian: More Than Just Books

  Fri 09 Oct 2026

  When people think about a school library, they often think about shelves full of books. At Southfield School, however, our library is so much more than that. It is a place where interests are discovered, confidence is nurtured, wellbeing is supported and every pupil is given the opportunity to explore the world in a way that is meaningful to them.
  
  Many parents and carers may not know that Southfield has its own librarian, Jenson. Jenson plays an important role in helping our pupils develop a positive relationship with reading and ensuring that our library remains a welcoming and engaging space for everyone.
  
  At the heart of Southfield's vision is a commitment to valuing every pupil as an individual, and our library reflects this perfectly. We know that every child has different interests, passions and ways of learning. That is why pupils are encouraged to have a voice in the books and resources we provide. If there is a particular author, subject or topic that they would like to explore, they can speak to their teacher or complete a pupil voice request for Jenson. By listening to our pupils and responding to their interests, we help them feel valued, heard and involved in shaping their own learning experience.
  
  Reading opens doors to new experiences, ideas and opportunities. Through books, pupils can travel to different countries, learn about the natural world, discover inspiring people and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. For many of our learners, books provide a safe and accessible way to explore the wider world whilst developing important communication and literacy skills.
  
  The benefits of reading extend far beyond education. A good book can help children understand emotions, develop empathy, build resilience and find moments of calm in busy days. This aligns closely with Southfield's commitment to creating a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every pupil can flourish. Sometimes a favourite story can be just as important as a lesson, providing comfort, reassurance and a sense of belonging.
  
  Our library also supports one of our key goals as a school: developing confident, independent learners. Whether pupils are choosing a book for pleasure, researching a topic that interests them or sharing stories with their peers, they are developing curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning. These experiences help pupils build the confidence to explore new ideas and recognise that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
  
  Perhaps most importantly, the library embodies the belief that every child deserves opportunities to succeed. By making reading accessible, enjoyable and relevant to our pupils' lives, Jenson helps ensure that every learner has the chance to engage with books in a way that works for them. It is not simply about improving reading skills; it is about helping children discover their interests, find their voice and build the confidence to engage with the world around them.
  
  At Southfield, we are incredibly proud to have a dedicated librarian and a thriving library space. Through the work of Jenson and the enthusiasm of our pupils, the library continues to be a place where curiosity is encouraged, individuality is celebrated and new possibilities begin with the turn of a page.

• Southfield Receives Prestigious Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition & Quality

  Thu 08 Oct 2026

  Southfield School is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition & Quality, an accolade that celebrates schools demonstrating an exceptional commitment to music education and ensuring every child has access to meaningful musical opportunities.

  What makes this achievement even more significant is that Southfield is currently the only Special Educational Needs (SEN) school in Hertfordshire to receive this recognition, highlighting the school's unwavering belief that music should be accessible, inclusive and transformational for every learner.

  The award has been presented in recognition of the value Southfield places on music throughout school life. In their award notification, Hertfordshire Music Service praised the school's commitment to music and its contribution towards a shared vision of high-quality music education for all children and young people.
  
  This recognition comes from Music Mark, the UK's Association for Music Education, which champions and supports access to music for every child and young person. Through its work, Music Mark advocates for high-quality musical experiences that deliver both educational and social benefits, helping young people develop confidence, creativity, communication skills and a sense of belonging.
  
  For Southfield, this award represents far more than musical achievement. It recognises the profound role music plays in helping our pupils communicate, connect and thrive.
  
  As a specialist SEN school, we understand that every child learns differently. Music provides opportunities that transcend traditional barriers to learning and communication. For some pupils, music becomes a voice when spoken language is difficult. For others, it provides a pathway to confidence, emotional regulation, social interaction and self-expression.
  
  Music is embedded throughout life at Southfield. It enriches learning across the curriculum, supports emotional wellbeing, encourages creativity and provides meaningful opportunities for collaboration and achievement. Whether through classroom activities, performances, choir, instrumental experiences or creative exploration, music helps our pupils discover their strengths and celebrate their individuality. Our approach has always been based on a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, confidence and connection that music can bring.
  
  This philosophy has already seen Southfield recognised as one of Hertfordshire's Lead Schools for Music, and receiving the Music Mark of Recognition for Ambition & Quality further validates the innovative and inclusive work taking place across the school. Together, these achievements demonstrate that high-quality music education can flourish within specialist settings and that children with additional needs should have the same opportunities to participate, perform and excel as their peers.
  
  The award also reinforces Southfield's growing role as a centre of excellence for inclusive practice. We are passionate about sharing our expertise with other schools, supporting colleagues across the county and helping to shape educational approaches that place accessibility, belonging and opportunity at their heart.
  
  Most importantly, this recognition belongs to our entire school community. It reflects the enthusiasm of our pupils, the support of our families and the dedication of staff who work tirelessly to create opportunities for every child to shine.

  Being the only SEN school in Hertfordshire to receive this accolade sends a powerful message. Additional needs should never limit ambition, creativity or achievement.
  
  At Southfield, we believe music has the power to unlock potential, build confidence and bring people together. This award celebrates what has already been achieved, but it also inspires us to continue pushing boundaries, raising expectations and creating even more opportunities for our pupils and the wider community.
  
  Because at Southfield, music isn't simply something we teach.

  It's something we live.

  

• Celebrating Poetry at Southfield

  Thu 01 Oct 2026

  As a school that celebrates every child's voice, National Poetry Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore the power of words, imagination and self-expression. Today, our pupils and staff have been enjoying poetry together, with teachers sharing their favourite poems and even putting pen to paper to create some of their own.
  
  One of the highlights has been a special poem written by our Headteacher, Angela O'Rourke called "Superhero Mission", which encourages children to recognise the everyday superpowers they already possess: kindness, honesty, friendship, perseverance and caring for others. Through playful language and memorable characters, the poem reminds us that ordinary children can achieve extraordinary things.
  
  For many of our pupils, poetry offers far more than rhyme and rhythm. It provides a creative and accessible way to communicate thoughts, feelings and experiences. Poetry can help develop vocabulary, listening skills, confidence and emotional literacy, while giving children the freedom to express themselves in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful.
  
  At Southfield, we know that communication comes in many forms. Poetry encourages curiosity, imagination and connection, helping pupils explore language while building self-esteem and understanding of the world around them.
  
  Whether reading, listening, performing or creating poems of their own, children can discover that every voice has value and every idea deserves to be heard. Today has been a celebration of creativity, kindness and self-expression, and a reminder that sometimes the smallest words can make the biggest difference.

   

  Happy National Poetry Day from everyone at Southfield!