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Croxley Danes School ranks in top 20% nationally following rigorous new Ofsted inspection Posted on: 24/04/2026

Croxley Danes School ranks in top 20% nationally following rigorous new Ofsted inspection

Croxley Danes School, a member of Danes Educational Trust, is celebrating a landmark achievement following its first full inspection under Ofsted’s new, more rigorous, evaluation framework. The report, following the inspection on 24 February 2026, places the school within the top 20% of schools nationally. The updated Ofsted framework has moved away from reductive one-word judgements, opting instead for a nuanced assessment of school performance led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs). Under these heightened standards, Croxley Danes has secured high marks across all categories, reflecting a deep-rooted culture of excellence. The inspection evaluated the school against the new grading system, where "Strong" represents performance at an upper-Good or Outstanding level when compared with the old framework. Croxley Danes achieved the following: Strong Standards: Awarded in Attendance and Behaviour, Inclusion, and Leadership and Governance, indicating that the school is performing significantly above expectations in these areas. These are considered the hardest areas to achieve a Strong grading in, and so to obtain a Strong in all 3 really sets the school apart from others.  Expected Standards: Given in Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching, Personal Development, and Post-16 Provision. Safeguarding: Formally graded as "Met," with inspectors praising an "open culture" where the safety of students is a shared responsibility. The report highlighted the positive environment fostered at the school, with inspectors noting "The school fosters a highly inclusive environment where all pupils feel welcomed and valued... Behaviour across the school is extremely positive [and] pupils enjoy positive relationships with staff and each other." Andy Harris, Headteacher of Croxley Danes School, commented: "I am immensely proud of our pupils for the polite, considerate, and respectful way they conduct themselves every day. This report is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the invaluable support of our parents. Being ranked in the top 20% of schools nationally is a significant milestone, particularly for a newer school, and it validates our commitment to an evidence-informed culture of excellence." While celebrating this success, the school remains committed to further development. Future initiatives will focus on increasing consistency in student feedback and further refining the personal development programme to ensure all students are fully equipped for the challenges of the wider world.  
National Recognition for four of our schools in Spring 2026 TEP Census Posted on: 20/04/2026

National Recognition for four of our schools in Spring 2026 TEP Census

We are thrilled to announce that four schools within our Trust have been awarded prestigious TEP Engagement Badges following the Spring 2026 national census. These accolades celebrate schools that demonstrate outstanding performance in pupil and employee engagement, placing them among the very best in the country. To put this achievement into perspective, these badges are only awarded to schools scoring in the top percentiles of a vast national dataset encompassing over 500 schools, 30,000 staff members, and more than 300,000 pupils. While we celebrate all four schools, we would like to give a special mention to Croxley Danes School and Elstree Screen Arts Academy. Both schools have secured badges for the second time this academic year, having also been recognised in the Autumn 2025 census. Maintaining such high standards across consecutive censuses is a significant feat and serves as a powerful indicator of a sustained, positive culture for both learners and staff. The specific areas of excellence recognised this term highlight the diverse strengths across our Trust: Croxley Danes School (Secondary) Top 5% Nationally: Employee Leadership Top 10% Nationally: Employee Inclusion and Employee Satisfaction Awarded in both Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026. Elstree Screen Arts Academy (Secondary) Top 5% Nationally: Pupil Inclusion, Pupil Enjoyment, and Pupil Recommendation Awarded in both Autumn 2025 and Spring 2026. Onslow St Audreys School (Secondary) Top 10% Nationally: Employee Leadership St Clement Danes School (Secondary) Top 10% Nationally: Pupil Recommendation and Employee Line Management These results are a testament to the hard work, dedication and vibrant community spirit within our schools. Whether it is ensuring our pupils feel included and inspired, or fostering a leadership environment where our staff can thrive. Congratulations to the pupils, teachers and leadership teams at Croxley Danes, ESA, Onslow St Audreys and St Clement Danes for this remarkable national recognition!  
Future engineers: Pupils explore STEM horizons at UCL Posted on: 10/03/2026

Future engineers: Pupils explore STEM horizons at UCL

On Thursday 26 February, Year 12 Physics pupils from across the Trust descended upon University College London (UCL) for the inaugural Trust physics and engineering day. The event marked a significant milestone for the Trust, providing pupils with an immersive, first hand look at world-class academics and the diverse career pathways within the STEM sector. Designed to bridge the gap between A-Level theory and real-world application, the day saw pupils trading their standard classrooms for UCL’s cutting edge laboratories and lecture theatres. The initiative aimed not only to showcase university life but also to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of modern engineering. The heart of the visit lay in a series of specialist workshops led by prominent academics. Pupils engaged with various fields, including: Electrical and Electronic Engineering: In a standout session, pupils programmed mini-processors to calculate and execute the launch of model catapults, blending coding logic with physical mechanics. Medical Physics: Pupils explored the future of healthcare, getting up close with advanced brain imaging technology and discussing how physics is used to save lives. Chemical Engineering: Seminars provided insight into sustainable energy and the molecular design of the future. Beyond the technical skills, the day was structured to spark curiosity about life after Sixth Form. By meeting with leading specialists, pupils were able to ask probing questions about university admissions, research opportunities, and the global demand for skilled engineers. The event concluded with a tour of the historic UCL campus, leaving pupils with a clear vision of the opportunities awaiting them in the world of higher education. Following the success of this first event, we look forward to making the physics and engineering day a staple of its academic calendar.
The benefits of being a local governor in Danes Educational Trust Posted on: 9/02/2026

The benefits of being a local governor in Danes Educational Trust

Serving as a local governor on one of our School Boards is a rewarding way to contribute to children’s life chances while developing valuable professional skills. Our local governors help ensure our Danes Educational Trust’s vision, ethos and strategy are lived out in each school’s context. Through regular monitoring of safeguarding, SEND, underserved pupils and stakeholder engagement, you become the Trust board’s “eyes and ears” at school level, strengthening accountability and continuous improvement. You will build expertise in strategic thinking and data-informed challenge by reviewing pupil progress, attendance and curriculum information against targets, and by visiting the school to understand how policies work in practice. Working with school leaders on priorities and risks develops your ability to ask insightful questions, weigh evidence and make proportionate, transparent decisions. Panel work (for exclusions, complaints or staffing matters) offers concentrated experience in fair process, impartiality and decision-writing, skills that translate into any professional setting. You’ll collaborate closely with fellow governors and the governance professional, enhancing teamwork, communication and confidence in chairing. Our local governors play a pivotal role in stakeholder engagement: listening to our parents, pupils and staff and feeding insights to trustees helps align strategy with community needs and improves trust. The role is also flexible and supported, induction, ongoing development and clear schemes of delegation mean you focus on what matters, not day-to-day operations. Reasonable out of pocket expenses can be reclaimed, ensuring volunteering is accessible. You will be supported by   - the chair and governors on the School Board  - an experienced team of governance professionals  - our Director of Operations who is also a consultant for the National Governance Association.  - our board of trustees who value the local governance across the Trust Most importantly, your contribution helps keep pupils safe, ambitious and well supported. If you can commit to preparing for meetings, attending visits and asking constructive questions, you’ll make a tangible difference and gain skills that endure.