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End of year message from the Governors

Welcome to the first of regular updates from the governors of St Clement Danes.

This past school year has seen a number of new governors join the School Board, providing a range of skills and experience as well as insight from two ‘Old Danes’. The key responsibilities of the School Board are to:

•    ensure clarity of the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction

•    hold the Senior Leadership Team to account for the educational performance of the school and the achievements of its students

•    oversee the financial performance of the school and ensure that money is well spent.

The School Board’s Chair is Martin Day with Mohan Gharial as Vice Chair, supported by Governors Lynn O’Connor, Clare Steet, Nick Edwards, Palak Shah and Camilla Haggith-Khonje. Scott Kemp and Aideen Ward were elected Parent Governors this year and our Staff Governors are Debbie Harvey and Karen Ingleby, who recently took over this role from Emma Brown. As Headteacher, Toby Sutherland is also a Governor and we have been supported throughout the past year by Rachel Turvey as our Clerk. Richard Carey, of the Holborn Estate Charity, acts as an Honorary Governor.

Please follow the link to the Governance section on the website to find out more about us: /389/governance
 

This school year has seen an impressive level of achievement and progress at St Clement Danes, as our students make the best of the opportunities presented to them. The governors are delighted to congratulate students and staff alike on the many and varied events, concerts and productions showcasing their skills and accomplishments. Although all of these demonstrated how St Clement Danes is delivering to the highest standards, the Remembrance Service commemorating 100 years since the end of the First World War deserves special mention, encapsulating the school’s ethos of ‘excellence, respect and trust’.

In June we invited the Holborn Estate Charity (HEC) Trustees to join a School Board meeting and were able to show them the significant improvements in the school’s buildings, including the new science laboratories, textiles room, food technology rooms and Learning Resources Centre, as well as the amazing new central corridor which has been welcomed by staff and students alike. These developments would not have been possible without the support of HEC and we are, needless to say, immensely grateful to them for their continued commitment to the school.

Alongside this, the school has benefited considerably from the support of the Anchor Fund and the Parents’ Association during 2018-19 and the governors would like to thank all those who support the school in this way. We also encourage every parent to play a part in ensuring that the outstanding provision at St Clement Danes can be sustained, either by giving their time to support the school or by contributing to the Anchor Fund, which provides the financial support necessary to deliver the educational standards and opportunities our students enjoy. Please visit: /208/anchor-fund

Finally, a word of thanks to Mr Sutherland, the Senior Leadership Team and all the teaching and support staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the year. Their commitment and achievements are exceptional. This year there have been a number of staff receiving long service awards for 20 years at the school which is testament to the type of school that St Clement Danes is; long may this continue.

We look forward to our next school year and all the opportunities that this will bring, including welcoming our next cohort of Year 7 students. In the meantime, we wish all staff, students and parents a well-earned summer break.

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26th February

Celebrating our inclusion in National Top 200 Sporting schools list

We are proud to announce our inclusion in the prestigious list of the top 200 sporting schools in the country, achieving an impressive 62nd place ranking nationally. This recognition, recently highlighted by the Watford Observer, places the school among the elite educational institutions for sporting achievement in the United Kingdom. The "Top 200" list is compiled annually by School Sport Magazine, which utilises a rigorous methodology to determine the most successful schools across the nation. Unlike subjective polls, these rankings are based purely on performance in national competitions. The magazine analyses results across more than 20 different sports and over 120 different national competitions, awarding points based on how far a school progresses. Particular weight is given to reaching the final stages of prestigious national cups and championships, meaning the list serves as a direct reflection of a school’s competitive reach and its ability to succeed at the highest levels of school sport. Our climb to the 62nd spot this year is a direct result of several standout performances on the national stage across a variety of disciplines. Our Senior Girls reached the ESFA Football National Semi-Finals, showcasing incredible teamwork and skill against the best in the country. Our golfers also excelled on the national stage, finishing as National Finalists ranked number 9 in the country in the English Schools’ Team Championship. Additionally, the Inter Boys squad demonstrated exceptional talent and athleticism by qualifying for the National Track & Field Final, while the U16 Boys’ determination saw them progress deep into their season to reach the National Vase Regional Final. These milestones represent countless hours of training, immense dedication from both pupils and staff and a tenacious competitive spirit that defines the St Clement Danes community. While the school is incredibly proud of these elite achievements and our high standing in the national rankings, we recognise that these statistics only tell part of the story. Our core values are built on the belief sport extends far beyond the trophy cabinet or a leaderboard. Our focus remains firmly on participation as well as performance, ensuring our programme is inclusive, meaningful and accessible for all, not just those competing at the highest level.  Sport is for all, and whether a pupil is representing the school in a national final or discovering a lifelong passion for physical activity in a lunchtime club, our goal is to create a culture where every pupil feels empowered to stay active. We remain committed to providing a diverse range of opportunities that cater to all abilities, ensuring every pupil can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport.  Congratulations to all our pupil-athletes, coaches and supportive parents who have helped make this national recognition possible.