Welcome to our Governors’ section

Welcome to Southcott Lower School.

Our role as governors is to support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to ensure that the children receive the best possible education and care.  We do this by working together strategically, by understanding the aspirations and plans which will move the school forward, and also by identifying any challenges or barriers to achieving this.

The Governors all meet together as a governing board to monitor the school budget, and to ensure that children are safe and able to enjoy a rich and varied curriculum.  We look at the priority areas for development of our provision and are proactive in supporting the school leaders to achieve these aims. 

The Governing Body is made up of representatives from the Local Authority, School, Parents and Local Community.  We meet formally once a term and have two sub groups meeting separately which are detailed below.  We also individually have a specific subject area or two that we focus on to ensure the highest of standards continue to be maintained.

Governors meet at least 3 times per term

1x Full Governing Board Meeting (chaired by Jo Latham)

1x Resources Committee (chaired by Daniel Hing)

1x Curriculum Committee (chaired by Maggie Clifford)

The Chair of Governors is Jo Latham who can be contacted via the school office or at

chairofgovernors@southcottlower.cbeds.co.uk

The Clerk to the Governors is Penny Parkin, she can be contacted via the school office.

Southcott Governors 2023-2024

Sarah Laundy is the Headteacher

Katy Drinkall is the Staff Governor, Assistant Headteacher and SENDCo

LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNORS

Jo Latham is Chair of the governing body. Jo shares responsibility for Safeguarding

I have been a governor since 2018 and was elected Chair in September 2022. I sit on the Curriculum and Resources Committees, and share responsibility for Safeguarding. I enjoy working with the senior leadership team and the rest of the Board to support our wonderful school and ensure our children receive the best start in life.

Both my daughters have loved being pupils at Southcott, with the youngest moving up to middle school in 2023. My professional background is in politics and I work as a researcher, writer and policy adviser in Westminster.  I'm part of a local church in Leighton Buzzard, and enjoy running (very slowly), photography and escaping to the Lake District.

CO-OPTED GOVERNORS

Claire Blount is Vice-Chair of the governing body. Claire shares responsibility for Safeguarding

I am on my second term as a Governor having joined in 2016, and am currently Vice Chair and sit on the Curriculum Committee. I also have joint responsibility for Safeguarding and am Link Governor for Music, Art and Design and Technology.

I’ve been a parent at Southcott for 11 years, having had three children attend and I’m so passionate about having the opportunity to work with this amazing school and play a part in its continued development.

I have had a career in Broadcasting after studying it at university at Degree and Masters level. I’ve worked for the BBC for over twenty years, working in production for many years in Entertainment and Events for shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Eurovision and BAFTA tributes. I currently work as a Business Partner for Continuing Drama Series on shows such as EastEnders and Casualty where I head up a team who focus on talent attraction, crewing our programmes and managing and developing current and future needs across our brand. 

Maggie Clifford is a co-opted governor 

I have been a governor at Southcott since 2021, and it has been a pleasure to get the know the school, its children and hardworking staff. I am Chair of the Governors' Curriculum Committee, a sub group which meets termly to review the curriculum and attainment and progress of the children. I believe strongly in supporting the school in giving its children the broadest and best education possible.

I have recently retired and moved to Leighton Buzzard, after 25 years teaching in primary education in Luton and Hertfordshire. My final years were as a headteacher in Harpenden, where I learned much about leading and managing a successful school, which I hope I have been able to bring to my governor role at Southcott. I am keen on health and fitness and am a regular at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and Leighton Fun Runners, and have recently joined the Grand Union Choir, as I really enjoy music and singing. 

Daniel Kidd is a co-opted governor

I first moved to Linslade nearly 20 years ago, and have two young children. I am a solicitor and a part-time judge, and became a school governor in 2019. As well as the main governor duties, I sit on the Resources Committee, and am particularly interested in the school’s equality responsibilities. I also lead the regular review of the headteacher’s performance, and am one of the ‘link’ governors for English, PSHE, and PE. I am very proud to be involved with such a nurturing school, and the fantastically professional, committed, and caring staff.

Victoria Baker is a co-opted Governor

I joined as a Governor in January 2023, where I sit on the Curriculum Committee and am one of the link Governors for English, PSHE and PE. I’ve lived in Leighton Buzzard since September 2020 and have a 2-year-old son. I have both a passion and a career in education having studied English and Education at university before becoming a primary teacher and English subject leader. Since 2018, I have worked for the National Literacy Trust and now as their Schools Resources Manager, I oversee the charity’s support for schools and educational settings, championing best practice for Literacy teaching across the UK. My other passion is all things reading and children’s literature. I completed an MA in Children’s Literature in 2017, where my claim to fame is being tutored by Michael Rosen! 

PARENT GOVERNORS

Daniel Hing is a parent governor and has responsibility for Health & Safety

I am a parent governor, and also take on the roles of Chair of the Resources Committee and Health and Safety governor. I currently have all three of my children at Southcott in various years. I am a Chartered Civil Engineer and manage teams designing railway depots, stations and similar infrastructure. Being dyslexic, I'm keen that all pupils get to reach their full potential.

Gemma Russell is a Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor at Southcott since 2022 and sit on the Resources Committee. I have two children, one who is at Southcott and one who we hope will go in the future (he's already excited, having heard how great it is from his big brother). I'm a qualified management accountant, and currently work as a Finance Manager for Cancer Research UK where I work closely with senior managers to support them to effectively plan and manage their budgets. I enjoy being able to use my experience to support Southcott to deliver the best outcomes for its children.

Lauren Anderson is a Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Board in 2023 and sit on the Curriculum Committee. I have a daughter at Southcott in Year 1 and my son is very excited to join in September. I have been a primary school teacher for over ten years and have developed a particular interest in English. I am currently Head of Year 6 at a large primary school in Luton and work across the primary phase as part of the Literacy curriculum team. I am looking forward to working with the governors to support the continued success of the school.

No governors sit on the governing body of another school.  

To view records of Governors who have left post within the last 12 months please click here