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Music Department Receives Award

St Clement Danes has recently been awarded the Incorporated Society of Musician’s Bronze Certificate. This is awarded to schools where more than 10% of all the school’s GCSE students take music and all achieved an A* to C.

Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the ISM – the professional body for musicians – congratulated the school, saying:

‘We are delighted to recognise St Clement Danes’ achievement in music and celebrate the commitment to music education shown by the school in their high uptake and high achievement of pupils’.

This public recognition comes after one new parent – the Chief Executive of a London orchestra – recently wrote to Dr Valentine in praise of the ‘pitch perfect’ Easter Concert – his first experience of the standard of music our students and staff put on at the school. ‘I was completely thrilled by everything I saw and heard’ he wrote, continuing: ‘Very few schools are capable of that degree of polish: slick planning, well-chosen repertoire, immaculate presentation, timing and consistently high standards. The master stroke is that you are getting your pupils to take the lead, to direct and present. That’s that absolute zenith, in my view and an indication of the quality of staff leadership behind the scenes. I am hugely impressed and so proud that my daughter is fortunate enough to be part of your community. You have a brilliant department, no question.’

The next concert will be the long awaited performance of the Verdi Requiem at the Watford Colosseum; more details and a link to purchase tickets can be found here.

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19th December

Charities Week 2025

The halls of St Clement Danes School have been buzzing with holiday cheer this week as the annual Charities Week is officially in full swing. As the Autumn Term draws to a close, pupils and staff have united to raise vital funds for three incredible causes: Endometriosis UK, Spread a Smile, and Herts Young Homeless. The school is alive with the spirit of giving, driven by a jam packed ‘Advent’ schedule designed to get everyone involved in the fundraising efforts. This year’s itinerary has been filled with exciting activities, ranging from pupil led lessons and a "Mystery Bucket" challenge to the competitive excitement of the "Elf Auction" and various competitions. Pupils have also enjoyed the classic "Sponge the Teacher" event and a visit to Santa’s Grotto, ensuring the festive atmosphere is matched only by the community’s generosity. Beyond the classroom activities, pupils have been sharing the festive spirit with the wider community. On 18th December, the SCD Senior Choir paid a special visit to Chorleywood Manor Care Home. The residents were treated to a beautiful selection of Christmas carols, featuring performances by members of the Chamber Choir, Evensong Choir, and the Barbershop Choir. Year 12 pupils Immy and Chrissie noted that "it was a very joyful occasion and it was lovely to see the residents joining in and looking so happy." The success of such a busy week relies heavily on pupil leadership, and the school extends a massive vote of thanks to Year 13 for their incredible hard work and dedication. Their enthusiasm have been the driving force behind this week's fundraising efforts. The week is set to conclude on Friday with the Grand Finale: the highly anticipated Sixth Form Revue, promising a spectacular end to a week of community, charity and celebration.