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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.”

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18th June

Pupil journalist Sam B secures national 'Student Voices' award

Our  talented pupil, Sam B, Year 9, has been named one of just five winners nationwide in the prestigious ' The Day's Student Voices Young Journalist Awards 2026. Sam B clinched the honour with a compelling, insightful opinion piece titled, “Life Isn't All Sunshine And Rainbows But It's Not Doom And Gloom Either.” The competition judges praised the passion, positivity and exceptional eloquence of Sam’s writing. As part of the winner's package, the article was officially published on The Day’s global Student Voices platform on 15th June, alongside the national announcement of the competition winners. Sam’s award-winning article takes critical aim at the modern media landscape, arguing that mainstream platforms rely on sensationalism and fear to drive reader engagement. The piece contrasts historical anxieties with today's relentless news cycle, which feeds on global catastrophes. While acknowledging real hardships, Sam warns that constant access to bleak updates is mentally exhausting and traps younger generations in a false sense of hopelessness.  Far from advocating for purposeful ignorance, Sam urges readers to stay informed while remembering how far humanity has progressed. The essay highlights that we are living in a golden age of technology and medical achievement.  Ultimately, the award-winning piece serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's inherent resilience and proven ability to thrive in the face of adversity. As Sam beautifully concludes, "It's important to keep positive, because whatever happens, humans always adapt and never lose hope." The entire St Clement Danes community extends its warmest congratulations to Sam on this incredible achievement