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 Gemma Russell)

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 2024-2025

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. 

Victoria Felton is a co-opted governor

I am passionate about the education, welfare and protection of children and young people, to ensure that they are given very opportunity to succeed in life. Education unlocks many doors that could otherwise remain closed.

I am a parent of a pupil currently at Southcott and strongly believe in its vision, values and ethos. I live locally with my husband, little boy and our two dogs.

I am a paediatric nurse by training, and I am currently in post as Director of Nursing for Integrated Medicine at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. I have worked in a range of leadership positions across different NHS organisations since 2016. I am delighted to be a governor at Southcott Lower School, I feel privileged to be able to contribute and supporting the school, its staff and the senior leadership team to continue the great work and successes achieved to date, for the benefit of our children.”

Joe Patel is a co-opted governor
I joined the Governing Board at the end of 2024 and serve on the Resources Committee.
I am Head of Product and Client Relations at a bespoke software company, bringing expertise in strategic planning, project delivery, and stakeholder engagemen. I have a particular interest in psychology, wellbeing, and how environments support learning and development.

As a parent of three, with my eldest now at Southcott, I am committed to supporting the school in providing an inclusive, nurturing, and high-quality education for all pupils.

Outside of work, I enjoy board games, reading and staying active. I also have a strong interest in music and previously ran a community choir; I continue to enjoy playing the piano when I have spare time. I am actively involved in my religious community and keen to find more ways to engage with the wider community in Leighton Buzzard.

PARENT GOVERNORS

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

I am a parent governor, and also take on the role of Chair of Health and Safety governor. I currently have one of my three of my children at Southcott. 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 which I also Chair. I have two children, one at Southcott and one who has now moved on to middle school. 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 and a son at Southcott. 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 enjoy 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