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

• Annual food and farming day 2025

  Thu 03 Jul 2025

  Some of Year 6 attended the schools day at The Hertfordshire Showground in Redbourn. We started of the day with a ride in a trailer being pulled by a tractor and then looking at the different farm machinery. We all learned something new about this, there is almost no need for a driver as some of the modern tractors are guided by satellites making sure they turn and plough the whole field. After that we saw the different emergency services where the children could try on some equipment and practice CPR. Then it was on to see some fruit and vegetables that come from around the world. Most of the children tried some of the fruit, pineapple, olives, lychee and pomegranate seeds, that were on offer. Some of the children made their own vegetable skewers when they looked at the fruit and vegetables that could be grown in their own gardens. 

  We all had lunch while learning about the different breeds of sheep and what they had been bred for, meat, wool, milk or ability to withstand harsh conditions.  

  There were lots of opportunities to try different produce throughout the day. I was impressed with how many of the children gave things a try. There were some interesting questions for the butcher who showed the children what different parts of sheep are called and how they may be cooked. They were quite interested in the anatomy of the beast and where the organs would be. The children were happy to see the farmyard area where they could see some sheep with their lambs, pigs, cows with a calf and bulls. A few of the children petted a pig and the sheep, choosing to feed some hay to the cows. 

  The children had a great time despite the heat. They coped well drinking plenty of water and having some breaks in the shade. Once again, they were a credit to the school and their parents. 

  

• Annual Welwyn and Hatfield Games competition

  Thu 03 Jul 2025

  On Wednesday the Blackbird class attended the annual WelHat games.  The games were opened by the mayor who spoke about the importance of sporting opportunities across the district.  The children took part in a variety of events including golf, javelin and quick cricket.  Javelin was voted their favourite!  The children enjoyed trying out new sports and as ever were a credit to Southfield.   

  

• Forest school fun

  Thu 03 Jul 2025

  What a fabulous experience the children have had whilst attending forest school.  Den building, hammock swinging and lounging, making crafts from natural materials and having the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning.

  

• Owls at gymnastics club

  Thu 03 Jul 2025

  During the Summer 2 term, the Owls class attends Gymnastics Club every Wednesday. The children thoroughly enjoy their time there as they practise their balance, stretching, and tumbling skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. They also work on important social skills such as good listening, waiting for their turn, and following instructions.

  

• School Games Sports Mark

  Mon 30 Jun 2025

  We are delighted to announce that Southfield School for the second consecutive year, achieved and have been awarded the School Games highest award of the Gold Sports Mark Award for the 2024/2025 academic year.

  The School Games Sports Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward and recognise school engagement (provision and uptake) in the School Games against a national benchmark and to celebrate keeping young people active, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.

  Our feedback stated:  'Your evidence clearly reflects the excellent sport provision at Southfield - a great example of your commitment to physical activity across the school'.

  'Well done for achieving the Gold School Games Mark Award'.

   

  

• Hatfield House Picnic

  Thu 26 Jun 2025

  The Southfield community were honoured to attend the private gardens at Hatfield House on Thursday 27 June 2025, for our first whole school event.

   

  Lady Salisbury was incredibly generous in hosting our summer picnic in her private gardens and not only this, had baked delicious scones with jam and cream for Team Southfield.

   

  Children and parents hugely enjoyed the coming together of our community, the children danced, sang and enjoyed the freedom of being in such a beautiful environment.

   

   We are so grateful to Lady Salisbury for her generosity and kindness.

  

• Art continues to go from Strength to Strength at Southfield

  Wed 25 Jun 2025

  Following on from our news last week with the Junior Leadership Team supporting the Mayor in the opening of the Hatfield Art Project (we hope you also saw this in the Welwyn and Hatfield news) more fantastic art news this week.

   

  We have just received news that our art project for 'This Girl Can' week is now 'live' and displayed at the Galleria in the unit downstairs near TK Max.

   

  Please do go along and have a look at the creativity and hard work from our pupils. 

  

• Sports days at Southfield school

  Tue 24 Jun 2025

  It's sports day season at Southfield and this tear we had 2 afternoons full or running, hurdling, carrying and balancing. The weather held out for us and when all was done, children celebrated by receiving a medal, rosette, sticker, certificate and a well deserved ice lolly!

  Magpies class were very proud of their medals and certificates. 

  

• Southfield school Art unveiling

  Mon 23 Jun 2025

  https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/25259987.southfields-primary-school-harts-mind-unveil-artwork/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1750687279

• Southfield School Awarded the highest rating of 'Advanced' practice for the Emotional and Mental Well Being in Schools Mark.

  Mon 23 Jun 2025

  Following submission and on site assessment we have been awarded the highest rating of 'Advanced' practice.

   

  Overall Assessor comments:   The EMWiE Team is pleased to award Southfield School ‘Advanced’ practice for the Emotional and Mental Wellbeing in Schools Mark. Southfield demonstrated a commitment and dedication to a wide range of activities to support mental health, emotional wellbeing, resilience, with an ethos which encompasses a comprehensive ‘whole school approach’.   Driven by the leadership and management of the Head Teacher, Angela O’Rourke and the Mental Health Lead and Operations Director, Sarah Lettis it is evident that “each pupil is treated as an individual” to allow them to flourish and achieve the best outcomes possible during their time at Southfield school.  This ethos was also reflected by the many the staff who the EMWiE Team met on the visit to the school.  Angela spoke about the journey that Southfield school has been on over the last 4 years, including prioritising supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of pupils and their families as well as staff.   Everything around Southfield school was held to very high standards including displays in corridors and classrooms, reception and breakout rooms. The school felt cared for, and spaciousness and pupils’ achievements were celebrated. The ethos and environment created through a combination of high standards, nurture, thought and care was reflected throughout.  There is a range of beliefs and religions taught and celebrated through the curriculum and additional activities. Throughout our visit, we learnt about the number of external charities, faith leaders and local organisations who are invited into Southfield School to enhance their pupil experiences.  For example, it was decided that the best way for pupils to enjoy a Christmas panto, was to invite the panto into school to perform! The leadership team and PTA work hard to raise funds and apply for grants to supplement their pupils’ experiences – recently securing a deal with Brocket Hall to provide a mini crazy golf course behind the main playground over the summer break.   The importance of Staff development health and wellbeing was emphasised in our conversations.  This started from the onboarding process, with regular reviews and external supervision given so staff  have the opportunity to give constructive feedback and allow them to build self-esteem and confidence in their roles.   It is understood by SLT that working with children with a variety of additional needs both SEND and SEMH can be challenging so staff must be supported to do so.   There is a range of CPD taught to staff twice a week, other staff support available included benefits such as 24/7 access to a “wellbeing pack” and policies in place such as career break policies. Staff absence is very low at Southfield School.   It was great to see that pupil voice was so strongly nurtured and recognised at Southfield in a number of ways such as the student leadership team and pupil behaviour leads. During our visit, we were introduced to the student leadership team, Angela made a note of saying to one of the pupils that his complaint about and then suggestion of new books for the library had been actioned and the order had been placed that morning.  He looked suitable happy that his request had been carried through. Pupil achievements and birthdays are celebrated each week in their “WOW” assemblies and any notices put in the pupil suggestions or complaints boxes are also addressed as a whole school.   The importance of positive and regular relationships with Parents and carers is clearly another priority of Southfield School.  Care and time are taken to build levels of trust and relationships with the families of the pupils with many examples of how this was achieved was shared during our visit.  Pupil attendance is rated highly, and expectations such as this forms part of the home-school agreement signed by each parent/carer.  It was noted that this agreement was also co-produced with parents and carers, giving the ownership of the task.  Families are regularly invited into school to talk about, and see their children’s progress and achievements, as well as to enjoy extra-curricular activities such as music productions.   Each pupil at Southfield has an individualised timetable and schedule to address their personal and educational needs.  Pupil needs are regularly assessed, both with parents/carers and the pupils themselves.  Fortnightly internal “professionals” meeting also triangulates any concerns on progress, attendance, behaviour and safeguarding. Additional therapeutic support is available on site including sensory rooms and spaces for “time out”. Due to the needs of pupils, they were accompanied in these spaces to help them learn to self-regulate and keep safe.  Relationships with external support such as Educational Psychologists, Mental Health Support Team, speech and language therapists are fostered so that this support is delivered in school, avoiding unnecessary travel and disruption to the pupil’s day.  It was good to hear that workshops were being provided for parents and carers on subjects like school transitions.   Good to see Southfield have a comprehensive action plan in place to continue the great work on their WSCA and ensure that they evolve to the ever-developing needs of their staff, pupils and community.

  Theme

  Criteria and assessed level

  Leadership and management

  1.1

  Advanced

  1.2

  Advanced

  1.3

  Advanced

  Environment and ethos

  2.1

  Advanced

  2.2

  Advanced

  2.3

  Advanced

  2.4

  Advanced

  Curriculum, teaching and learning

  3.1

  Advanced

  3.2

  Advanced

  Pupil voice

  4.1

  Advanced

  4.2

  Advanced

  4.3

  Advanced

  Staff development, health and wellbeing

  5.1

  Advanced

  5.2

  Effective

  5.3

  Advanced

  Identifying need, impact and monitoring

  6.1

  Advanced

  6.2

  Advanced

  Working with parents, families, and carers

  7.1

  Advanced

  7.2

  Advanced

  Targeted support and appropriate referrals

  8.1

  Advanced

  8.2

  Advanced

  Overall score

  62/63

  Overall level

  Advanced

  Date

  16th June 2025