Menu
Back to News ListPreviousNext

Dr Valentine awarded OBE

We are delighted to announce that the CEO of the Danes Educational Trust and former Headteacher of St Clement Danes School, Dr Josephine Valentine, has been awarded an OBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list in recognition of her service to education. As many of you will know, Dr Valentine was Headteacher of St Clement Danes School from 1998 to 2018, during which time outcomes for young people rose dramatically. She currently leads the Danes Educational Trust of which both St Clement Danes and Croxley Danes are a part. She became a National Leader of Education in 2008 and has led the Herts & Bucks Teaching School Alliance for the past 6 years, over which time the organisation’s schools have trained hundreds of teachers and supported a large number of schools to improve outcomes for young people. In recent years, Josephine Valentine was asked by Hertfordshire County Council to be the Lead Proposer in the opening of a new school, Croxley Danes School, which opened in September 2017. As well as her work for the Trust and Teaching School Alliance, she holds a number of roles at regional and national level advising on policy and overseeing other teaching schools.

Dr Valentine has always been passionate about improving outcomes for young people. She grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and attended The Marist School before going on to study for a PhD in Oral Histopathology at Liverpool University. As one of the first in her family to go to university, she has been committed to ensuring that all young people have the choices and opportunities afforded them by an outstanding education.

She is thrilled and deeply proud to have received an OBE. In a statement, referencing her catchphrase when at St Clement Danes, she said: “In receiving this honour, I recognise and am thankful for the significant support I have received from family, colleagues and friends. Teaching young people is exciting and fulfilling and has been a source of constant joy to me. Leading a school has been a privilege – and, probably, the best job in the world.”

Back to News ListPreviousNext

Categories

Category / All Articles

Archives

Also Featured

29th January

Year 8 Swimmers Make Waves at County Championships

We are delighted to announce that two of our Year 8 pupils, Sam C and Grace F, have achieved significant success in the pool, qualifying for and competing at the prestigious County Swimming Championships. Qualification for Counties is a major milestone in the swimming world. To be eligible, swimmers must achieve strict published qualifying times and rank within the top 25 competitors in their age group across the entire county. Both students have demonstrated exceptional talent to reach this elite standard. Sam has secured his place in an incredible variety of events, demonstrating his versatility across both sprints and long-distance endurance races. Representing Berkhamsted Swim Club, Sam will be competing at the Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans throughout January. His comprehensive schedule includes: Freestyle: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m Butterfly: 50m, 100m, and 200m Individual Medley: 100m, 200m, and 400m Matching this high standard of performance is Grace F, who represents the U13 age group. Grace has already secured a fantastic 9th place ranking in the county for the 100m breaststroke. Beyond this individual success, Grace is a dedicated member of Ricky Swim Club and a vital part of the SCD team, regularly representing the school in the Herts League. Reaching this level requires a sustained and high level of commitment. Over the past eight months, both swimmers have balanced intense training schedules and regular licensed galas alongside their academic studies. Their success is a testament not only to their athletic ability but also to their discipline and excellent time management. Please join us in congratulating Grace on her top10 ranking and wis