The School

Number on roll: 835 girls in years 7-11 and 182 in the mixed sixth form.  We are often over-subscribed as a result of the rise in the school’s profile and reputation: (see Ofsted quotes) together with a significant growth in new housing in the area.

Quotes from Ofsted February 2008. (Click here to read full report)

“Outstanding personal development and well-being”   

“The dedication of the staff is reflected in their strong commitment to the students, whose mature and sensible behavior is an outstanding factor in their successful learning”    

“The excellent climate for learning underpins the school’s good teaching”

“Southfield School for Girls is a good school”

“Participation rates in out-of school activities are impressively high and contribute greatly to the students’ positive attitudes”

“The students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding”

“Achievement is good and standards are generally above average”

“Many sixth form students excel in their A levels”

Catchment  

The school has a varied catchment area consisting of 47 primary feeder schools. Although the majority of students come from Kettering, a large number of students come from the surrounding villages and towns. The furthest distance being approx 12 miles and in most cases girls are brought to school by parents.

Specialism     SPORT and SCIENCE

History of the school

Southfield School for Girls opened in 1976 after the amalgamation of Kettering High School for Girls and Rockingham Road Senior Girls School.
For a long period of time Southfield was the only girls school in Northants. It is still 1 of only 2 girls schools in the County.  In 1988 it was made clear by the LEA that Southfield was to close. Fortunately at the same time the Conservative government had introduced new legislation, which would allow schools to become independent while staying within the state system. Owing to the strength of the governing body, leadership and staff, backed overwhelmingly by parent support an application was made for G.M. status and eventually granted on 1st April 1990. Southfield achieved two notable successes, we had a greater number of parental votes for G.M. status than any other school, and we were the first school in Northamptonshire to become a Grant Maintained School. In 1999 there was a quiet transition to become a Foundation School, which was a legal requirement that put us back in touch with the Local Education Authority. In 2004 the school achieved Sports College Status and in 2009 has been recognised as a High Performing Specialist School enabling us to acheive Science College Status.