Steph Roberts started teaching 21 years ago after a career in forensic science. Prior to joining Southfield School, she taught in a more challenging mixed secondary school in Lincolnshire. Prior to entering senior leadership Steph held posts as Head of Science and Head of Sixth Form which afforded her a relatively rare background of both pastoral and curriculum middle leadership.
During her time in senior leadership, Steph held a range of whole school responsibilities, which included; curriculum, data and standards, reporting and assessment, QA and CPD. Alongside a demanding leadership post she also fulfilled a part-time secondment to CfBT; an education trust that supported schools around the country in raising standards. This opportunity enabled her to broaden her experience across a range of schools and the support offered ranged in both duration and focus.
Steph joined Southfield School as the Deputy Headteacher in September 2013. Summer 2013 saw Southfield School’s KPIs fall below the national average and in October of 2013, it received its ‘requiring improvement’ Ofsted judgement. Steph’s remit was to raise standards and move Southfield School to ‘good’. By summer, 2014 Southfield School saw a significant improvement in KPIs as in most areas they raised above the national average. This, was then followed, by a ‘good’ judgement in February 2016.
In September 2017, Steph was appointed as the Headteacher and Southfield School has continued to develop and raise standards, it is now one of the highest performing school in Northamptonshire and in the top 5% of schools nationally.
Due to the success and transformation of Southfield, in 2018 the School was successfully approved and granted ‘sponsored status’. It was this success that then began the journey of creating Orbis Education Trust. In 2021, Steph was appointed as Executive Headteacher of Orbis Education Trust.
Steph still actively takes part in many extra-curricular events for young people. She is a very experienced Duke of Edinburgh expedition leader and assessor, a qualified sailing instructor and when she can enjoys spending time on the ski slopes.