Governance

The Trust Board adheres to the Articles of Association of the Trust and each sub-committee to the Trust Board has specific Terms of Reference that ensure good governance practice at all levels. Each school has a ‘School Board’, which is one of the sub-committees, and as such reports to the Trust Board of Trustees. At the bottom of the page you will find documents pertaining to the work of the Trust Board.

The diagram below outlines the current structure and lines of communication:

Screenshot 2022 12 21 at 124236

Our members and trustees are a committed and talented group who bring a wealth of experience with which to support the Trust. 

Below you will find further details. Those members and trustees marked with an asterisk are also trustees of the Holborn Estate Charity (HEC).

Members of Danes Educational Trust

HEC appointees:

Linda Clarkson MBE Chair of Members
Education & Management
Chair of St Clement Danes Academy Trust since opening in June 2011. Vice Chair of St Clement Danes School Charitable Foundation from 2007 – 2014.            

Mike Bruce
Finance & Management

A former trustee, appointed as a member in 2019. Now retired, was formerly the Director of Information Technology at Moore Stephens LLP a firm of chartered accountants in London.

Rosemary Hadfield MBE   
Education
      
20 years teaching in the UK and abroad in the primary sector. 30 years association with St Clement Danes as a parent, governor and formerly chair of governors. HEC Trustee.        

From Danes Educational Trust Board:

Kath Unger
Human Resources

30 years in HR within the civil service before moving to the private sector in 2010 as HR Manager for a Hertfordshire based insurance broker. Associated with St Clement Danes School as a parent and then a governor from 1998 to 2012.

Rachel Gauke
Legal & Regulatory

Solicitor working at a legal publishing company, writing practical guidance for lawyers. Specialist in corporate tax law, with experience as a practitioner and professional support lawyer having trained as a solicitor at Linklaters LLP. 

Danes Educational Trust Board 

Member appointee:

Kath Unger 
Vice Chair of Danes Educational Trust Board, Chair of People Committee, Chair of Safeguarding Committee, Whistleblowing

Co-opted (by Trustees):

Peter Allanson
Peter Allanson has worked for over 40 years in both the public and private sector, largely in governance. For ten years he was trust secretary and director of corporate affairs at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and is now a principal consultant for the Good Governance Institute. He lives in Chorleywood.

Nils Blythe
Chair of Business Committee

Executive Director, Communications, at the Bank of England (2011-2014), following a career at the BBC where, until 2011, he was the BBC Business Correspondent.

John Camp
Currently the CEO of The Compass Partnership of Schools, a charitable trust of 12 primary schools and one all-through special school advancing education for the public benefit across Greenwich and Essex. He is also a Trustee of The Endeavour Partnership Trust, and The Maritime Children’s Foundation.

Russell Deards
Currently the Director of Legal & Compliance and Company Secretary for a large group of plumbing,heating and energy efficiency businesses. An experienced in house lawyer/General Counsel who has held previous legal leadership roles in both a publicly listed house builder and in a developer/contractor/land promoter group.

Carolyn Garner
Currently UK Tax Manager for an international manufacturing company. An experienced finance professional, who has also served on the Board of Governors of an FE college during a period of expansion.

Lynn O'Connor
A global diversity and inclusion specialist with over 20 years experience working in and with large corporate organisations in Financial Services, Oil & Gas Technology, Energy, Motor, and Insurance sectors which include HSBC, BP, Centrica, Perry Group and RSA.   

Pankaj Shah
A senior business and regulatory programme manager until 2018 with over 25 years experience of project delivery and business change at major asset management and banking firms in the City. Qualified initially with Arthur Andersen as Chartered Accountant. 

Paul Snell

Chair of Danes Educational Trust Board
A retired CEO with 17 years experience and a background in executive level HR and operations and development. Most recently with a charity that has been supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, brain injuries and complex needs for more than 35 years. To contact the Chair directly, please email chair@danesedtrust.org.uk

Dr Josephine Valentine OBE
CEO

Headteacher at St Clement Danes between 1998 and December 2017. NLE since 2008, providing school to school support for six secondary schools in Hertfordshire through executive headship or leadership coaching. 

Chairs of Danes Educational Trust School Boards

Abolade Odunsi, Ascot Road Primary School Board 

Jan Buoy, Chancellor's School Board

Rob McCarthy, Cranbourne Primary School Board and Roselands Primary School Board

Judith Thorn, Croxley Danes School Board

Jan Stevens, De Havilland Primary School Board

Lewis Barton, Elstree Screen Arts Academy School Board

Clare Charlton, Jupiter Primary School Board

Philippa DesiderioLanchester Primary School School Board 

Catherine Rendell, Onslow St Audrey's School Board

Louise Soden, The John Warner Interim Action Board

Steve Clarke, St Clement Danes School Board

 


 

 

 

Documents

@DanesEdTrust

  • @DanesEdTrust Image01:25 - 15/07/2025 : a powerful day of , , and subject-specific development. We're especially excited to have launched our new programme, designed to support all pupils more effectively. This will roll out fully next year… more on that to follow! pic.twitter.com/ZlAPX7V25g
  • @DanesEdTrust Image12:10 - 14/07/2025 What a summer term we have had celebrating our school : 50 years of 20 years of 10 years of 10 years of 10 years of Congratulations!#colourrun pic.twitter.com/s79QFf8PFx
  • @DanesEdTrust Image09:08 - 14/07/2025 What a summer term we have had celebrating our school : 50 years of 20 years of 10 years of 10 years of 10 years of Congratulations!#colourrun pic.twitter.com/xQzyP9iqfm
  • @DanesEdTrust Image01:05 - 11/07/2025 🎓 Real teachers. Real stories. Real impact. 💬 Our recent graduates are thriving in classrooms across our trust — and their feedback says it all! ✨ Find out what mattered most to them on their journey with us.#TeacherTraining #TeachingJourney pic.twitter.com/0eJDUMUIHh
  • @DanesEdTrust Image09:31 - 10/07/2025 This month we came together to celebrate our 2025 winners of the Danes Educational Trust 'Making the difference' award. Congratulations to all our winners and nominees, how wonderful it was to take some time to celebrate you!#makingthedifferencetogether #ourteam pic.twitter.com/Z8ilkRHiNm
  • @DanesEdTrust Image10:22 - 08/07/2025 We're proud that staff from our schools were invited to 10 Downing Street for the Public Sector Reception, hosted by Keir Starmer. Alongside police, NHS, fire & armed forces, they were thanked for their dedication to public service. A huge honour! 👏🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/CbbVe87LGr
  • @DanesEdTrust Image01:03 - 01/07/2025 Our Train to Teach graduates are ready to inspire, lead, and shape the future of education. Here's to the passion, perseverance, and purpose that brought you here, and the classrooms that await you! pic.twitter.com/bjjk0PUZVm
  • @DanesEdTrust Image11:56 - 26/06/2025 🌟 Our first Primary Leadership Development Programme has been a joy! Huge thanks to all who took part, it's been amazing to see your growth. We can't wait to see you continue to flourish! 🌱✨#FutureLeaders pic.twitter.com/A4xcV1bSPP
  • @DanesEdTrust Image09:34 - 21/06/2025 🎵 National Music Day 🎵 Music is more than art — it's a tool for learning, expression, and connection. On , we recognize its role in education and personal development - knowing it strengthens creativity, discipline, and confidence in learners of all ages. pic.twitter.com/XpZLL5jiWg
  • @DanesEdTrust Image09:23 - 16/06/2025 We believe that sports and education go hand in hand in shaping confident, disciplined, and resilient individuals. This National Sports Week, we encourage every student to move with joy, play with purpose, and discover the confidence that comes from staying active.#SportsForAll pic.twitter.com/oOIrGwEt4H
  • @DanesEdTrust Image06:13 - 06/06/2025 🎧 New Train to Teach episode! From a last-minute PGCE to headteacher & director of education — Steve shares his wild journey, leadership lessons, and a crackdown on a student-run sweet empire! 🍬 Listen now 🔗#TrainToTeach pic.twitter.com/WVrYMx04oo
  • @DanesEdTrust Image07:03 - 03/06/2025 Celebrating Excellence in Learning! Each year, we proudly invite schools across our trust to nominate outstanding Year 6 pupils for our prestigious Learner Awards. 📷 Curiosity | Creativity | Courage pic.twitter.com/aZF485xlxh