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Read our latest blog - All in a Day's work

Considering a role as a school governor or trustee? Martin Day, our newly appointed Chair of Trustees, shares his experience in our latest blog 'All in a Day's work'.

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Trust staff attend public sector reception at 10 Downing Street Posted on: 6/07/2025

Trust staff attend public sector reception at 10 Downing Street

Staff members from schools within Danes Educational Trust were honoured to attend a special Public Sector Reception at 10 Downing Street last week. The event, hosted by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, brought together around 200 representatives from across the public sector to recognise the dedication and service of key workers. Invitations were extended to professionals from education, the NHS, the police, the fire service, and the armed forces. The reception aimed to thank those working on the front lines of public life for their vital contributions to society. The Trust is immensely proud of its staff and the impact they have on young people every day. This national recognition reflects the dedication, professionalism, and care shown by educators across the sector.
Croxley Danes School featured on BBC One's The One Show Posted on: 6/03/2025

Croxley Danes School featured on BBC One's The One Show

Croxley Danes School was visited by presenter Angellica Bell and a camera crew from the BBC show to interview staff and students about their involvement in a Europe-wide study. The study, called the BootStRaP project, is led by the University of Hertfordshire and aims to reduce the harmful impact of internet use on mental health. The research intends to recruit up to 10,000 young people from across Europe over five years to explore internet use, identify harmful behaviours, and find ways to address these. Andy Harris, headteacher of Croxley Danes School, said: "While we don’t have issues with phone and internet use at Croxley Danes due to us having very clear rules and systems in place, it is a significant issue outside of school that is impacting our young people’s mental health and peer relationships. "We decided to get involved with the BootStRaP project because we think it’s a really fantastic opportunity to gather the data needed to better understand and address issues around problematic internet use, that will inform effective strategies for improving our students’ well-being, their online safety in and outside of school and ultimately their academic success." The BootStRaP project stands for Boosting Societal Adaptation and Mental Health in a Rapidly Digitalising, Post-Pandemic Europe. Read the full story in the Watford Observer
ESA stands out with 'outstanding' Ofsted report Posted on: 4/03/2025

ESA stands out with 'outstanding' Ofsted report

Demonstrating its commitment to improvement and success, Elstree Screen Arts Academy (ESA) has been honoured with top rankings in a recently published report by The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). This recognition underscores ESA's unwavering dedication to providing an outstanding education that not only meets but exceeds national standards. The recent report published in February 2025 lauded the quality of education at ESA, a part of Danes Educational Trust, celebrating the academy's innovative approach to teaching and learning. Students at ESA were commended for their exemplary behavior and positive attitudes, contributing to a vibrant and respectful learning environment. The academy's commitment to the personal growth and development of each student was a highlight of the report, showcasing the holistic approach to education that ESA champions.  The robust leadership and management at ESA were recognized as pivotal in driving the academy's success and fostering a culture based on a ‘character curriculum’. "We have been proudly advocating for our unique approach to education and keenly telling all who will listen that we are up to something here," said Chris Mitchell, Principal of Elstree Screen Arts Academy. "We are seeing young people engage, connect and find their creative voice." Special mention was made of the inclusive and supportive sixth-form provision, which plays a crucial role in preparing students for their future endeavors. ESA Academy scored ‘Outstanding’ in all five categories of the report. This prestigious recognition from Ofsted is a reflection of the collective efforts of the dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and supportive parents who together make Elstree Screen Arts Academy a paragon of educational excellence. “Receiving Outstanding in all five categories of the report is a testament to the exceptional creativity, innovation , and dedication of the entire Elstree Screen Arts Academy community. Moving from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’ is a remarkable achievement, especially in today’s ever-evolving educational landscape,” said Dr Josephine Valentine OBE, CEO Danes Educational Trust. The report not only celebrates the academy's current achievements but also highlights its ongoing commitment to improvement and innovation in education. ESA continues to lead the way with outstanding outcomes for students in specialist training and creative courses for the film, TV and Theatre industries.
Learner Voice Council (LVC) Primary Induction Day Posted on: 6/02/2025

Learner Voice Council (LVC) Primary Induction Day

On 21 January, we held our third Learner Voice Council (LVC) Primary Induction Day, hosted at De Havilland Primary School. "We were delighted to welcome all six primary schools, including The Cranbourne Primary School and Roselands Primary School, which has recently established its own LVC. The day brought together students and staff from across Danes Educational Trust, fostering collaboration and leadership." Attendees participated in a dynamic workshop carousel, featuring sessions on oracy (led by Nicola Spencer, DET English Lead) and self-confidence (led by Anna-Maria van Der Spoel, Assistant Headteacher at OSA), both outstanding practitioners. A highlight of the day was two of the sessions that were led by secondary school students. Students from Chancellor’s School delivered a session on LVC Top Tips. Many of their members have been part of the LVC for years, and they shared their knowledge and experience with the primary school students. Onslow St Audrey’s Sixth Form Leadership Team delivered a session on teamwork. These sessions provided essential tools for young leaders as they embark on their LVC journey. Now in its fourth year, the Learner Voice Council serves as a platform for students to influence teaching and learning across their schools. The LVC empowers students to make meaningful changes by conducting research through planning, auditing, implementing, and evaluating. Miles Conway, Trust Learning Lead for Learner Leadership, shared: "It was truly wonderful to see all of our primary schools come together in collaboration. The LVC students showed incredible dedication and enthusiasm, and I look forward to the meaningful impact they will have across all levels of the Trust. A second passion of mine is transition, so it was great to see the primary and secondary schools working together. Special thanks go to the dedicated workshop leaders, facilitators, and student leaders who made the day a resounding success. Thank you to the staff at De Havilland Primary School for being so accommodating and allowing me to host this event at their school." The LVC would not run successfully without the support of our dedicated team of in-school facilitators: Alii Hewitt, Emma Smart, Henry Arkill, Liz Black, Liz Shipp, Matt Clarke, Steve Cove Juliet Ford, Mitchell Sanderson, Rachana Shah, Sarah Edwards, and Shannon Anthony.