March 2023
Dear Colleague
In this busy term there has been so much to celebrate across DET. I have just finished writing the parental newsletter and in it I share some of the varied activities taking place across our trust such as: investing £1.2 million in our school buildings this year, successfully rolling out the Learner Voice Council into our primary schools and the launch of our research into SEND provision, structures and outcomes. I hope you get a chance to read it, it’s heart-warming, something we all need when, at the end of term, the work can seem relentless.
This term we have had two notable trust successes.
At the beginning of March, the DfE published Multi-Academy Trust performance data for the first time in three years.
Key Stage 4 performance data for DET, which includes four eligible secondary schools: Chancellor’s, Croxley Danes, Onslow St Audrey’s, and St Clement Danes School, has ensured DET is ranked 1st in Hertfordshire, 4th in the East of England and 14th nationally for all key measures. DET is also ranked 2nd in the East of England for Attainment 8, Grade 5 and above in English and maths and EBacc Average Point Score and also 4th in the East of England for Progress 8. At Key Stage 5 DET is ranked 4th nationally and 1st overall in Hertfordshire and the East of England. These are tremendous outcomes and speak volumes of the hard work, and sheer dedication you have shown over what has been a challenging few years. Thank you.
The other good news is that Ascot Road Primary school retained its ‘Good’ judgement at its most recent Section 8 inspection in February. The inspector praised the community relations, dedication of the staff and the behaviour and joy of the pupils to name just a few. Thank you to Cathy Elsley and her excellent staff team.
This term we have reviewed our progress against the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan launched last summer. Great strides have been made and I look forward to sharing with you some of the exciting developments in a future DET Dispatch.
In response to requests regarding training for line managers DET Head of HR, Mary Cope, has put together a training programme that will be rolled out in the summer term. Whether you are new to line management or have been doing the job for years we hope you will find the training helpful and informative. The HR team will post more about the training and how to access it next term.
So finally, I hope you have a restful and fun Easter break at home or on holiday. Let’s hope the sun shines so we can all enjoy brighter days.
With best wishes,
Josephine Valentine, CEO
Danes Educational Trust
Making the difference together
Elstree Screen Arts Academy
Year 10 student at Elstree Screen Arts Academy has been recognised as an Inspirational Young Person at this year's Welwyn Hatfield Youth Awards. The awards recognise those who have excelled in a particular discipline, gone above and beyond to help and support others, or overcome challenges. The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries of the local boroughs, including Councillor Terry Mitchinson executive member, leisure and community, who commented: “The hard work and determination our winners have shown to achieve these awards is a credit to them and to Welwyn Hatfield, and we are proud of each and every one of them. The leader of the council, Cllr Tony Kingsbury, added: “I was delighted to attend our second annual Youth Awards... The society we live in tomorrow will be shaped by our youth of today, which is why championing amazing young role models is so very important."
Chancellor's School
Our fabulous Year 9 Drama Club at Chancellors have been very busy this term, putting together a production of 'Agatha Twisty and The Murder in Pantoland' by Warren McWilliams - a very fun and entertaining 'Who-Dunnit' pantomime.
Earlier this month, the students performed the play at The 79th Welwyn Garden City Youth Drama Festival, which celebrates the very best of youth drama from across Hertfordshire. The cast lit up the stage with their energy and their superb performances were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. The students received glowing feedback from the adjudicator, as well as the writer of the play and even won 1st prize in the Junior competition!
Awards for individual excellence were also given out for stand-out comedy performances, and due to its roaring success, a second performance was organised for the rest of our school community to enjoy at Chancellors. We are incredibly proud of this bunch of talented and dedicated students, who all worked extremely hard and impressed the Drama department every rehearsal with their boundless enthusiasm and professionalism.
Ascot Road School
One of our key priorities this year has been to develop reading throughout the school and ensuring our children access books that both engage and give opportunities to build on key reading skills. To mark World Book Day we set ourselves a challenge to create a new library, tailored for KS2 children with books linked to their reading levels and access to all different genres, including graphic novels and non-fiction. In the past our older children have become ‘free readers’, allowing them to freely select any book to read in class and at home. With our new library, the children choose from books that are colour coded to match their reading levels, and require them to use their knowledge and insight to fully access the language or the narrative. They also promote the use of ambitious vocabulary, use varied themes and match their emotional maturity. Our reading leads and staff worked hard to make this a reality and on Thurs 2 March our new KS2 library opened.
All KS2 children now regularly access the library and we have also recruited a dedicated team of librarians who work hard to keep everything running smoothly and be on hand to make any book recommendations if needed.
St Clement Danes
178 Year 9 students undertook a two day DofE expedition in early March. Students walked from school to Phasels Wood Scout Campsite.
On the first day they were accompanied by staff, parent volunteers and sixth formers who trained the group to map read and use a compass. Students were then taught to set up their tent and to cook their evening meal.
Due to the extreme low temperatures the first group went home to sleep but returned to camp the next morning to resume their expedition back to school, this time unaccompanied but tracked and checked on by the staff and volunteers. Navigational errors were made, but the groups worked hard to locate themselves and get back on track. The second group managed to camp on Sunday night although they faced high winds and rain. They also managed the second day unaccompanied back to school.
The students will go onto their qualifying expeditions in June. A big thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help out on a successful trip.
De Havilland
Last week we watched our Year 5’s highly anticipated and extraordinary performances of Kelogan and the Magic Seal & Professors Blue. Two terms worth of hard work, enthusiasm and talent, primarily from our amazing children and secondly from our staff and the wonderful team at The Young People's Puppet Theatre.
When Puppets was first sold to us back in 2019 it was described as a Design and Technology project. It did not take us long to realise it is far more. English, drama, Science, Art, Maths, IT are just some of the subjects the project touches on, along with the development of key learning behaviours of resilience, collaboration and confidence.
We are fortunate to be two of the 20 projects currently under way in Hertfordshire. The project costs just over £14,000 for De Havilland alone. Fortunately for us and thanks to supporters and sponsors of the project, we pay a highly subsidised rate of £2000, which makes it affordable for us to participate in.
For some pupils, this project has been an educational lifeline. It has rekindled a love of learning and engagement in our school and education.
Please follow the links below to take a sneak peek at our performances!
Croxley Danes
On 17-21 March we were delighted to open our theatre doors to staff, students and parents to attend this year’s production of Frozen the musical. It was a huge success with all four nights sold out. We also welcomed local primary schools to enjoy the dress rehearsals, including our fellow Trust school, Ascot Road. The children thoroughly enjoyed the performance with one primary school attendee commenting that it was even better than the actual musical in the West End!
Thank you to our dedicated Creative Arts faculty for their unwavering dedication as well as a huge well done to all our talented students. The production, acting and singing performances throughout all four shows were outstanding. We would also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the PTA who provided the evening's refreshments for all four of the shows.
Onslow St Audrey's
It has been wonderful to witness the plethora of events that have been arranged for our students in the past month - from inspirational sessions with Dr van Der Spoel to participation in the largest Generation careers event yet!
A very special highlight, that connected perfectly with British Science Week, happened on Friday 17th March. A selection of Year 7 students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a live Q&A with the writer/scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock discussing her book and space. The library quickly filled with learners eager to get a good view. It was great to see the students volunteering questions to be added to the live stream and one of ours was selected to be answered! We explored space, black holes, why pluto is a dwarf planet and more, but also the importance of working hard to overcome challenges in life. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock opened up about her dyslexia and being a female from an ethnic minority working in STEM and her wisdom and passion was inspiring to a number of our students.
