Governors

Southfield’s Governing Body is responsible, together with the Headteacher, for the overall running of the school. Governors work as a team and aim to play our part in helping to make Southfield a happy and stimulating school for your child.

Southfield School has nine Governors, made up of elected parents, elected teachers, representatives of the Ealing local education authority and Co-opted Governors. Each Governor’s term of office lasts four years.

The Governing Body meets at least once a term and deals with a wide range of issues concerning the school. It has two sub-committees – the Teaching and Learning Committee which covers the curriculum, and the Resources Committee which is responsible for management, finance, appointments and the School building.  These Committees consider issues in more detail and report to the full Governing Body. As Governors, our main responsibilities are to:

• oversee the school’s budget. This is allocated each year by the local education authority. The Governing Body, in consultation with the Headteacher, decides how that money is spent;
• decide on staffing levels and oversee staff appointments;
• monitor the School Development Plan. This is a short, medium and long-term plan for the school covering the curriculum and its development, financial management and premises;
• maintain links with Ealing local authority from which the school receives support and advice on financial, personnel, premises and curriculum matters.

Please contact the School Office if you would like to see a copy of any of the Minutes from the Governor’s meetings.

You can either be elected as a Parent Governor (details of the next elections are available from the Headteacher), be nominated by the Local Authority with the ultimate decision to appoint being made by the Governing Body, or be Co-opted by the other Governors.

If you are interested in being considered for co-option, then please contact the Headteacher or the Chair of the Governing Body via the School Office.

 

Governors' Meeting Attendance 2022-23

Governors' Meeting Attendance 2021-22

 

Register of Business Interests 2023-24

Register of Business Interests 2022-23

Governors

Governors' Committees & Terms of Office

Robert Huxford - Chair of Governing Body & Member of Resources Committee (Co-Opted Governor)

Rob Huxford was elected in 2014 and again in 2022, and as chair in 2017. He has two children, with the youngest one at Southfield.  Living locally in Chiswick, Rob is keen to be an active member of the school and support the staff and governors to continue and build to make Southfield a great environment for the children to learn in.

Rob is a commercial head at a large global pharmaceutical company based in West London and brings his business experience to his role as a governor.

Darren Jones – Headteacher (Staff Governor)

As Headteacher Darren is a staff governor. Southfield is his second headship and he moved to London in 2015. Graduating in Law and Spanish and later studying for an MA in Applied Linguistics, he is a keen linguist and enjoys reading and, drama and the theatre.  He has taught and led in a number of outstanding schools in London, Bristol and Cambridge where he completed his studies at Cambridge University.

He is research active and holds a PhD in Children’s Literature. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks French to a high level. He is passionate that all children have the opportunity to be the very best they can through access to a highly creative and rigorous curriculum allowing them to be the best they can be. In his spare time he enjoys travelling and taking advantage of living in one of the world’s best cities.

Passionate about Southfield and its community he sees the school as a hub of excitement, innovation and creativity and the school of choice in the local area. 

Nick Barrett - Vice-chair of Governing Body & Member of Teaching and Learning Committee (Co-Opted Governor)

Nick was elected a governor and vice chair of the governing body in 2018, and was re-elected again in 2022.  He is also a member of the Resources Committee. He currently has three children attending Southfield. Post university Nick moved to London and started a career in the financial services sector before getting the opportunity to move abroad in 2007. Returning to London in 2013, Nick saw Chiswick as the ideal place to settle with his young and growing family and, when the opportunity arose, was keen to play an active role in the ongoing development and success of Southfield School.

Nick currently acts as a consultant in the FinTech sector and was previously Corporate Banking COO within a global bank.  Nick aims to use his professional skills to benefit Southfield.

Anthony Korn – Chair of the Resources Committee (Local Authority Governor)

Anthony Korn is a local authority nominated governor. He lives locally. He is a barrister specialising in employment and discrimination law and advises both employers and employees in employment disputes. He also writes and lectures on employment law topics. Before going into practice, he worked as an employment advisor at the Shepherd's Bush Advice Centre. Outside work, he is learning Japanese and enjoys tennis and skiing. He has joined the Governing Body to contribute to the local community.

Emma Sharpe – Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee (Co-Opted Governor)

Emma Sharpe is mother of two boys and was elected parent governor in 2017 and then co-opted governor in 2021. Emma took this role as she is keen to get more involved in the school community and encourage a strong partnership where parents and guardians work together with, and support the school to make it a safe, caring, inclusive and nurturing environment.

 
Jim Hubbard - Deputy Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee (Co-Opted Governor)

After arriving in London in 2010 from the United States, by chance Jim Hubbard settled in Chiswick while earning an MSc from University College London in Sustainable Urbanism. He previously completed undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Journalism at the University of Missouri.

Jim returned to Chiswick and his current home in 2016 and soon after sought opportunities to be more involved in the local community, which led to him becoming a co-opted governor in 2018.

In London, Jim has worked in public policy on topics such as business rates, property, planning, local growth and regeneration. He currently serves as Head of Regional Policy at the CBI leading its work on regional growth, levelling up and devolved powers in England.

In his spare time, he can be found walking his dog in nearby parks, and loves exploring new places whether they be scenic walks in the countryside or the crowded streets of London.

 

Matt Charles (Charlie) - Resources Committee (Parent Governor)

Charlie is a father of two boys, one at Southfield and one who started in September 2022. He plays an active part in the school community, supporting the PTA and recently led a team of volunteers to transform the school wildlife garden and pond area.

Charlie is passionate about growing the parent and carer community at the school and creating a vibrant environment to enrich and enhance the learning experience for the children.

He works as a consultant in the sports, esports and technology industry, advising businesses on corporate strategy and digital innovation.

 

Kris Spencer - Resources Committee (Parent Governor)

Kris Spencer is the father of two children at Southfield. In a teaching career that spans more than thirty years, he has occupied many of the key roles that a school has to offer – Housemaster, Head of Department, Deputy Head, and Head. During his career, he has found a form of words to describe the purpose of education, and to measure a School’s success: to be one’s best self. Because of this, flourishing is a word he also values. He wants the Southfield community to flourish – parents, staff and, of course, pupils. Using the word to guide teaching goes all the way back to Aristotle, and his concept of ‘Eudaimonia’ – often translated as human flourishing and fulfilment. More than just happiness, it means living life well – striving to do justice to our full human potential, and working towards contributing to something beyond ourselves.

In addition to teaching, Kris has written seven Geography textbooks and numerous articles ranging from leadership to wellbeing. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He writes poetry. His first book of poetry, Life Drawing, will be published by Kelsay Books in Spring 2023.

 

Sam Parsons - Teaching and Learning Committee (Staff Governor)

Sam is originally from Coventry and moved to London to be a teacher. Prior to teaching, he played badminton professionally, being part of the national team, representing the country on multiple occasions in major events such as European and World Team Championships. After his badminton career, he studied Sport Science and Management at Loughborough University before completing his PGCE at Warwick University. 

During Sam's first year at Southfield, he worked as a teacher in Year 4, and is currently a teacher in Year 6, giving him a vested interest in the school and its future. Sam is looking forward to being able to contribute to the school and help it continue to provide the best education for each child. He is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that may occur in the future.