Menu
Back to News ListPreviousNext

New Headteacher for SCD

Mr Toby Sutherland was last week appointed as Headteacher of St Clement Danes School and will take up his post in January 2018. The Trustees made the decision to recruit a new Headteacher to enable them to appoint Dr Valentine to the role of full time Executive Headteacher of the Danes Educational Trust from January 2018. The Danes Educational Trust currently comprises St Clement Danes and Croxley Danes School and its aim is to provide first class education within the locality. Dr Valentine’s role is to have strategic oversight of all schools within the Trust.

This is an exciting development for the St Clement Danes community. Mr Sutherland, a popular choice with governors, staff and students, will provide day to day leadership of the school from January, having been Deputy Headteacher at St Clement Danes School since September this year. Prior to this, he worked at Queen's School, first as a Business and Economics teacher, then in various promoted roles before becoming Assistant Headteacher in 2008 and Deputy Headteacher in 2014. Speaking shortly after the announcement, he said: “It is a huge privilege and honour to lead this exceptional school into a new and exciting period of its long existence. I am humbled by the decision which has been made and excited at the prospect of working with our fantastic students, staff and governors over the coming years to build on Dr Valentine’s superb legacy at the school.”

Writing to parents after the appointment, chair of the Danes Educational Trust, Rosie Faunch, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to record my thanks to Dr Valentine for leading St Clement Danes for the past 20 years. Under her leadership the school has gone from Good to Outstanding to ‘World Class’. To pick just one statistic, in 1999, 59% of students achieved 5A*- C at GCSE; in 2017, the results were 89% 5A*- C with English and maths. However, the school is much more than the results it achieves or the labels it is given by OFSTED and others. As Dr Valentine has said on a number of occasions, St Clement Danes is ‘probably the best school in the world’. This is down in no small part to her leadership and we wish her well as she seeks to make the Danes Educational Trust and all of its schools similarly world class.”

Back to News ListPreviousNext

Categories

Category / All Articles

Archives

Also Featured

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.