Jonathan Harper
I have over 26 years of teaching experience and each day I learn something new and overcome some sort of challenge, and these are the values I want to impart to everyone I work with, student or staff.
I joined Southover in September 2021, as I wanted a fresh opportunity to work with older students having been primary based. As a result, I have taught and managed from early years to A-level, in lots of different settings across North London. I have had considerable experience in working with students and families with SEND, helping them overcome the considerable obstacles that they have to overcome daily.
I have had every conceivable role within teaching, leading core curriculum, managing key stages, being an assistant and deputy headteacher and being head of school at the Finchley site. I was a school governor and I have taken part in school inspections for Challenge Partners, both inside and outside London.
I have a great deal of experience of working with children’s social, emotional and behavioural difficulties with a particular focus on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. I have worked in conjunction with local authorities raising the standards and engagement of hard to reach students.
I am passionate about removing barriers to learning and providing engaging learning opportunities to all, and creating firm links between home and school. But most of all I want to make school an enjoyable place where students can thrive. In my spare time I can usually found on a rugby pitch or up a mountain!
Giselle Hobbs
I am delighted to be a part of the Southover team. I believe the right education can absolutely transform young people's futures. This is especially true for young people who face additional challenges such as those with additional needs. Helping young people to develop their self-belief and confidence, and watching them grow and develop into happy, successful adults, brings me endless joy.
Originally from Australia, I have been in the UK for 17 years and worked in mainstream secondary and special schools across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and now here at Southover.
I am lucky to have taken leadership of most aspects of school life over time, including pastoral care, SEND provision, personal development, safeguarding, student achievement, curriculum and the quality of education. I also love teaching English, Media and ICT. My favourite book is Frankenstein.
I am ambitious about what our young people can achieve, and about making sure our Outreach Service is absolutely superb. However, I am never satisfied that we are 'good enough'; there's always something more to improve, develop or learn. For this reason, I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if I can help!
Joanna Carson
I recently joined Southover having previously worked in both maintained primary Schools and multi academy trust. Prior to working in education, I worked in finance and facilities management in the private sector.
I am committed to lifelong learning and currently studying for the chartered management degree School Business Leadership.
The inclusive ethos is what attracted me to Southover and I am excited to use my skills and experience to support the Southover vison. In my spare time, I enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors and cooking.
Jenny Merryweather
Having worked extensively across the primary, secondary and SEN/SEMH sectors, I first joined Southover Partnership School in 2010 as a part-time teacher. The Southover ethos of combining high aspirations and relentless care for all learners resonated so strongly with me that I took on a full-time role and ended up staying twelve years. During my time at the school, I have taught a variety of subjects across all three sites and been a middle leader before spending eight years as Head of School at the Southgate site. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, I used my passion for enabling every young person to achieve their potential to help grow and develop an ambitious curriculum and wide range of opportunities for pupils.
After a brief time leading an area of safeguarding and training for a local authority, I have returned to Southover Partnership to be Head of School at the Finchley (HG) site. I am excited to be part of the school’s continued growth and development and to have a second opportunity to work with Southover’s wonderful students, staff and families.
I have been a school governor at both primary and secondary schools as well as volunteering in a range of youth and community initiatives.
When I’m not working, I enjoy walking, reading, baking and spending time with family and friends.
Kerrie Marshall
I am delighted to be appointed as Head of School at Kingsbury Manor. I feel honoured to be able to undertake this role and to build upon the success of the school and am keen to get to know parents, as well as pupils and staff.
I have undertaken several headship positions in a variety of educational settings throughout my career and know that a successful and happy school depends on all of us working together as one team.
At Kingsbury Manor, we are tireless in our pursuit of excellence because we know what a difference it can make to the lives of our young people, their families and community. We are truly committed to maintaining very strong home-school partnerships and for all pupils to maximise their potential, it is vital that parents and carers and the school work productively together.
You can be assured that as Head of School at Kingsbury Manor, all staff will strive to create the best learning environment for your child whilst they are members of our school family.
Finally, we acknowledge that we won’t get everything right but, like our students, we will keep trying to learn and improve.
Martin Agyei
I come to Southover Partnership with over 25 years of experience in the education sector. I have been a SENCO in a maintained secondary school setting for the past 10 years. I am excited to be working at Southover Partnership as SENCO.
Prior to becoming SENCO, I had worked in two different universities as PE lecturer and Sport coach. I have also taught in mainstream secondary school as PE teacher and Head of PE. As a middle leader, I had served as Head of Year/ Student Achievement leader in an inner London mainstream secondary school.
As a classroom practitioner, I was judged by OFSTED as an outstanding PE teacher. I have supported vulnerable young people and students with SEND to gain qualifications in PE and Sport and most of them have progressed to pursue various courses in the field of sport.
As a senior leadership team member and Assistant Principal, I have worked in mainstream secondary schools with responsibility for Inclusion and Additional Learning needs for the past 10 years. I supported whole school teaching and learning through facilitating SEND CPDs and providing whole school advise on SEND related issues.
As a SENCO, I have used my role to promote inclusion and diversity, ensuring that the mantra of ‘Every child matters’ become a reality but not a mere slogan. I have used my expertise to equip subject teachers to provide Quality First Teaching and to create opportunities for students with SEND so that they can achieve their potential and personal goals.
My vision is to continue to explore further opportunities to support our vulnerable young people and students with SEND. Through bespoke learning plans, young people would identify their own potentials and harness these potentials. This will give young people a bright future and positive lifelong outcomes.
