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Year 10 Franklin Scholars Launch Mentoring Program


On 12th December, the school’s newly appointed Year 10 Franklin Scholars officially met their Year 7 mentees for the first time. This launch event marked the beginning of an inspiring journey for the Year 10 pupils, who have stepped into their roles as mentors and role models to help the younger pupils navigate the transition into secondary school life.

The program operates under the guiding principle: "When you are good to others, you are best to yourself." This quote, attributed to the program’s namesake, Benjamin Franklin, serves as the official motto for the scholars.

The Franklin Scholars is a prestigious peer mentoring program designed to bridge the gap between different year groups within a school. It selects promising older pupils and trains them to provide academic and emotional support to younger pupils during the pivotal transition to a new school environment. The program focuses on three core pillars: academic support to improve literacy and numeracy, personal growth to build resilience and empathy, and social connection to ensure every newcomer has a friendly, familiar face to turn to in the older years.

While the Year 7 pupils gain a valuable guide to help them succeed, the Year 10 Franklin Scholars also experience significant growth. By taking on the responsibility of a mentor, they develop leadership qualities and a sense of civic duty. As the motto suggests, by being "good to others," these pupils are also investing in their own personal development and character. Following the success of Friday’s event, the pairs will continue to meet weekly throughout the academic year to build on the foundations laid during this fantastic kickoff.

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20th March

Impressive low scores as pupils compete at Beaconsfield Golf club

On Tuesday 3rd March, 16 pupils represented the school in the annual SCD Pupil Golf Competition at the prestigious Beaconsfield Golf Club. The day was defined by fine weather and a course in immaculate condition, providing the perfect stage for some truly exceptional performances. It was particularly encouraging to see a mix of new faces joining the regular participants, with all pupils taking full advantage of the world-class facilities on offer throughout the day. The competition remained fierce until the final hole, but it was Josh R (Year 13) who ultimately secured victory, successfully retaining his title with an incredibly impressive score of three under par (69). This victory serves as a fitting milestone for Josh as he prepares for the next chapter of his sporting journey; following his A-levels, he will be moving to the United States to enroll at a university in Idaho, where he will continue to pursue his professional golf career. The leaderboard reflected the high standard of play across the field, with Freddy M (Year 9) taking second place with a solid three over par (75), and Luke M (Year 13) securing third with a resilient five over par (77). The event once again highlighted the depth of sporting talent within the school and the commitment of our pupils to excelling in their extracurricular pursuits.
20th March

Duke of Edinburgh update: A busy month for our pupils

It has been a landmark month for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the school, with pupils across all year groups pushing their boundaries from the local landscape of Chorleywood Common to the rugged terrain of Scandinavia. The Gold Award cohort has seen an impressive 54 pupils sign up this year, many of whom recently gathered for a specialised food tasting session. This practical workshop allowed the Year 12s to trial various expedition rations, ensuring their packs are filled with both nutritious and palatable fuel ahead of their demanding practice trek through the Lake District this March. Preparation for the Gold Award reached a new peak on 1st March during a comprehensive training day led by Hepworth Adventures. The sheer scale of this year’s ambitions was evident as pupils mapped out diverse routes; 25 participants are currently preparing for the wilds of Otta in Norway, 13 are bound for Poland, and another 13 are focusing on UK-based expeditions, while one pupil prepares for a bespoke kayaking challenge. Under the guidance of Hepworth staff, these pupils fine-tuned their menu planning and equipment lists, ensuring they are fully equipped for the specific demands of the Gold environment and their upcoming qualifying aims in early summer. The spirit of the award is equally vibrant in the younger year groups, with 91 Year 10 pupils recently completing their Silver training day. Guided by a dedicated team of St Clement Danes staff and parent volunteers, the pupils took to Chorleywood Common to sharpen their navigational skills through a series of practical exercises. The day also involved intensive route planning for their qualifying expeditions in May and June, alongside sessions on the logistical challenges of group catering in the wilderness. Meanwhile, the Year 9 Bronze Award continues to see record engagement, with 182 pupils set to undergo their own training day on March 7th. Led by the School of Outdoor, this upcoming session will provide the foundation for their first expeditions, with photos and details of their progress expected to follow soon. Beyond the physical challenges of the trail, the school community recently gathered to celebrate the formal achievements of our participants. The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire presided over a prestigious award presentation, during which he commended the pupils for their resilience and commitment. For those who missed the event, the full presentation slides and the keynote speech have been made available online, documenting a proud chapter in the school’s long-standing history with the DofE program.