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

• Reverend Indra Inspires Pupils

  Tue 14 Jul 2026

  Southfield School was delighted to welcome Reverend Indra for a very special visit focused on the important theme of kindness. Throughout the day, Reverend Indra took the time to visit each class, engaging with pupils through thoughtful discussions and activities that encouraged everyone to think about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

   

  As she made her way around the school, Reverend Indra spoke with the children about the many ways we can show kindness to others. Pupils shared their own experiences and ideas, discussing how kindness can be demonstrated at school, at home, and within the wider community. Her warm and interactive approach encouraged all children to reflect on the positive impact their words and actions can have on those around them.

   

  A highlight of the visit was the creation of a Kindness Tree by several classes. Children were invited to add names to the tree, thinking about people who show kindness in their lives or those they would like to thank. The activity encouraged meaningful reflection on the importance of community, friendships, and family relationships.

   

  The Kindness Tree quickly blossomed with names and thoughtful contributions, becoming a wonderful visual reminder of the caring connections that exist within our school and beyond. It provided an opportunity for pupils to celebrate the people who support, encourage, and inspire them every day.

   

  Reverend Indra's visit left a lasting impression on both children and staff. Her message reminded us all that kindness is something we can practise every day through our actions, words, and attitudes towards others.

   

  We would like to thank Reverend Indra for spending time with us and for sharing such an inspiring message. Her visit was a wonderful opportunity for our school community to reflect on the values of kindness, friendship, family, and belonging, helping us to continue building a caring and supportive environment for everyone at Southfield School.

  

• Blackbirds Enjoy Another Fantastic Tennis Session

  Wed 08 Jul 2026

  Today, Blackbirds Class took part in an exciting tennis lesson with Karl Mills, Head Coach at Potters Bar Tennis Club.
  
  The pupils demonstrated great enthusiasm and determination as they practised a range of tennis skills, including racket control, striking the ball and movement around the court.
  
  Through a variety of fun and engaging activities, the children developed their coordination, concentration and confidence while enjoying the opportunity to be active.
  
  It was wonderful to see pupils challenging themselves, celebrating their successes and encouraging their classmates throughout the session. The lesson provided opportunities not only to develop sporting skills but also to build resilience, teamwork and self-belief.
  
  Today's session forms part of an ongoing series of tennis lessons that Karl has been delivering to pupils, giving children the chance to develop their skills over time under expert coaching. The regular sessions have been a fantastic opportunity for pupils to experience the sport, make progress and enjoy the benefits of physical activity in a positive and supportive environment.
  
  A huge thank you to Karl for another enjoyable and engaging lesson. We look forward to the next session and seeing our pupils continue to grow in confidence both on and off the court.

  

• Gymnastics with Hummingbirds

  Tue 07 Jul 2026

  Hummingbirds Class enjoyed an exciting visit to the gymnasium today, where pupils took part in a fantastic gymnastics session filled with movement, challenge and achievement.
  
  Throughout the session, the children had the opportunity to develop their gymnastics skills using a variety of specialist equipment. They practised balancing, climbing, jumping and travelling safely, demonstrating excellent focus and determination as they took on new challenges.
  
  Gymnastics provides a wonderful opportunity for pupils to develop strength, coordination, balance and spatial awareness, while also encouraging confidence and resilience. The children embraced every activity with enthusiasm and were proud of the progress they made throughout the session.
  
  It was particularly pleasing to see pupils stepping outside their comfort zones, trying new movements and celebrating their successes. They showed great listening skills, supported one another and demonstrated the positive attitudes that make Hummingbirds Class such a pleasure to work with.
  
  The visit was not only a valuable physical education experience but also helped pupils build self-confidence and independence in a fun and supportive environment.

  

• Giving Every Child a Voice: Angela O’Rourke talks on The Parents' Show

  Mon 06 Jul 2026

  Angela O’Rourke, Headteacher of Southfield Special Educational Needs School in Hatfield, recently appeared on The Parents’ Show on Mix 92.6, where she shared valuable insights into the school's vision, the support it provides for children and families, and the teaching approaches that help pupils develop confidence and thrive. 
  
  During the interview, Angela discussed the core aims of Southfield, a specialist school dedicated to providing a nurturing, inclusive and highly supportive learning environment for children with special educational needs. She explained how the school focuses not only on academic development but also on helping every child build the confidence, independence and life skills needed to achieve their full potential.
  
  A key theme of the conversation was the strong partnership between the school and families. Angela highlighted the importance of providing support to parents as well as children, ensuring that families feel informed, involved and empowered throughout their child’s educational journey. By working closely with parents and carers, Southfield aims to create a consistent and positive support network that extends beyond the classroom.
  
  Angela also spoke about the variety of teaching methods used across the school to meet the individual needs of each pupil. These tailored approaches are designed to encourage engagement, develop communication skills and build self-esteem. By recognising and celebrating each child’s strengths and achievements, staff help pupils gain confidence in their abilities and become active participants in their learning.
  
  The radio appearance provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the school's commitment to creating a positive and enriching educational experience. Through specialist teaching, personalised support and strong family partnerships, Southfield continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with special educational needs.
  
  Angela’s interview on The Parents’ Show offered listeners a valuable insight into the school's ethos and the dedication of its staff to helping every child succeed, both in school and beyond.

• A Magical Summer Solstice Celebration

  Fri 03 Jul 2026

  On the longest day of the year, families, staff and friends gathered together to enjoy a truly magical Summer Solstice Performance from our talented pupils. The event was a wonderful celebration of music, poetry and creativity, showcasing the confidence, enthusiasm and hard work of the children.
  
  The afternoon began with the Southfield Choir performing Feelings by Rebecca Starling & The Southfield Choir. Their expressive singing immediately captivated the audience and set the tone for a memorable event.
  
  Next, Jays Class took to the stage with their beautiful Summer Poem, sharing thoughtful words that perfectly captured the sights and sounds of the season. They then delighted everyone with their lively performance of the traditional song Over the Deep Blue Sea, sung with enthusiasm and confidence.

  
  The Southfield Choir returned with a powerful rendition of Feeling Good by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Their impressive vocals and stage presence filled the space with energy and pride, earning warm applause from the audience.

  Following this, Blackbirds Class showcased their talents through poetry and performance. They performed The Sound Collector by Roger McGough, bringing the well-loved poem to life with creativity and expression. They then entertained everyone with Splish Splash Splosh! by James Carter, a vibrant and engaging performance that highlighted their excellent teamwork and performance skills.

  
  To conclude the celebration, all pupils came together for the Behaviour Charter Song by Rebecca Starling & The Southfield Choir and the parents even got to join in. This uplifting finale perfectly reflected the values of our school community, an example of the music development plan and brought performers and audience members together in a joyful ending to a very special occasion.

  
  We are incredibly proud of every child who took part. Their confidence, commitment and enthusiasm shone throughout the performance, and they should be immensely proud of what they achieved. Events like these remind us of the power of music, poetry and shared experiences in bringing our school community together.
  
  A huge thank you to our staff, families and supporters who helped make the event such a success. Most importantly, congratulations to all of our performers for creating a wonderful Summer Solstice celebration that will be remembered for a long time to come.

  

• Food and Farming for Blackbirds

  Wed 01 Jul 2026

  The Blackbirds had a fantastic day at the Hertfordshire County Show Schools Day. The day was a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about the important roles of all the people involved in producing our food. For Southfield School pupils, this real-life, hands-on experience is particularly valuable in helping them make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the wider world. The children learnt about the different types of farming machinery and enjoyed a tractor ride, supporting their understanding of how large-scale processes work in a safe and engaging way. From there they got to explore how different grains are grown and turned into the everyday products we see on supermarket shelves, helping to build independence and life skills around food awareness and choices.

   

  The children had an opportunity to grind wheat and see it turn into flour, giving them a concrete, sensory experience of a process they might otherwise only see in pictures. In the butchery tent, the children saw a demonstration showing how sausages are made, which helped develop their understanding of where food comes from and encouraged curiosity about different jobs and skills. They were fascinated when looking at the different eggs made by various birds, from the tiny quail eggs to a giant goose egg, which supported their observational skills and vocabulary development.

   

  There were lots of tasty treats for the children to try, including crispy duck, giving them opportunities to explore new foods and develop confidence in trying different tastes and textures, an important aspect of personal development for many Southfield pupils. The sensory-rich environment of the show, with its sights, sounds and smells, also supported communication, engagement and social interaction skills.

  Their firm favourite was watching the sheep show and finishing the day with a refreshing ice cream cone. Experiences like this not only bring learning to life but also support pupils’ social development, confidence in new environments, and understanding of the community around them, aligning closely with Southfield School’s focus on independence, life skills and preparing pupils for the wider world.

  

• 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