Southfield House, 10 Horton Crescent, Rugby, CV22 5DJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1788 556 190 | Email: southfield@rugbyschool.net
ABOUT THE HOUSE
Southfield offers an experience identical to the Boarding Houses. Eager to take advantage of the myriad opportunities on offer, girls are busy and motivated, returning home only for a good night’s sleep in their own bed. Many play sport to a high standard, others are exceptional musicians or talented actors – Southfield girls are highly accomplished across a range of disciplines and immerse themselves fully in all Rugby has to offer. Supportive of their ‘sisters’ and excellent mentors, our girls go on to take the most rigorous courses at the most prestigious universities.
Housemistress
Previously a Head of Department at Shiplake College and Housemistress at Notre Dame School, Michelle Baker joined Rugby in 2020 as an English teacher. After graduating from University College, Oxford she has worked in independent day and boarding schools as a tutor and classroom teacher, supporting students applying to Oxbridge, since 2000. She lives at Southfield with her husband, Matt, who has taught Mathematics at Rugby since 2012. Her young sons, Milo and Rowan, see the Southfield girls as new friends and enjoy living here along with Daisy, the springer spaniel.
Michelle loves Middle Eastern dance and has been a dancer and performer since her university days. She seizes any opportunity to strike out across the Derbyshire dales or attend an ‘80s retro festival. A lover of Victorian literature, her favourite books are ‘Three Men in a Boat’ for summer, ‘A Christmas Carol’ for winter and ‘Jane Eyre’ for a prolonged stay on a desert island. She loves many things about the Southfield girls, including their humour, kindness, motivation, and reading recommendations.
Deputy Housemistress
Lucy joined Rugby School in 2020 as a Teacher of Mathematics, having been in the profession since 2012. She read Mathematics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. Lucy embraces all aspects of life in Southfield and is often the most enthusiastic participant on House bonding trips. A particular highlight of her time at Rugby has been accompanying FB students to Thailand on their cultural exchange. A keen reader, Lucy can usually be found with a good book when not at work. During the holidays, she enjoys taking the opportunity to travel abroad with her husband, Michael.
Deputy Housemistress
Deputy Housemistress Vic is a relatively recent refugee from the world of banking. She worked in Stowe as a Maths and Economics teacher before moving to Rugby in September 2024 as a Physics teacher. A Chartered Accountant, Physicist, Philosopher, mother, and wife she is currently also doing a Masters in the Psychology of Education at UCL having taken her Undergraduate, Masters, and PGCE at the University of Oxford. Vic is a passionate choral singer and also loves talking (particularly to the Southfield girls) so is regularly heard around the school, but she can also explain the nature of the sound she is making in intricate detail and enjoys using the word sinusoidal as much as feasibly possible.
Matrons
Matron Nicky joined Rugby School in 2020 and is an ex-Southfield parent. Nicky has a background in pharmacy and loves spending time with her family, their menagerie of pets and enjoys all things crafty. De-tangling necklaces is her self-professed superpower!
Matron Alley joined Rugby School in 2022 after working in local schools. Alley loves reading, travelling and Take That but is happiest in her lovely family home when her children come visit and taking countryside walks with her two fur babies, Cooper & Jessie.
Alley and Nicky absolutely adore working with the Southfield girls and are mightily proud of all their achievements. They love watching their plays, concerts, and sports fixtures, but best of all they love sharing a hot chocolate and catching up with the girls’ days. Matrons never miss a chance to dress up and give the girls a giggle. Nicky and Alley are always there for the girls and consider their roles an absolute privilege.
Matron
Having joined Southfield House in September 2025 Jo is based at The Crescent Centre. Prior to coming to Rugby School Jo spent 7 years at Maidwell Hall School as part of their Housekeeping Team which had followed a long career within the Magistrates Courts Service and as a Legal Secretary. Jo enjoys spending time in France and travelling further afield with her husband Phil in their Campervan. Jo has two stepchildren, one in Oxfordshire and the other in Australia both of whom she visits as often as possible.