DET Dispatch

Dear Colleague,

As we approach the end of term, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our staff for the incredible dedication and hard work you’ve shown in preparing learners for their primary and secondary assessments. Your commitment, care and professionalism make such a difference, and I know how much time and effort has gone into supporting pupils to feel confident and ready.

It’s also been a joy to see the wonderful photos coming in from our primary schools’ milestone colour runs, celebrating 10, 20 or even 50 years. These events have brought school communities together in such a vibrant and positive way. The smiles, the colour, and the sheer energy captured in those moments remind us of the joy at the heart of education. Thank you for creating these lasting memories for your pupils and for being such a vital part of their journeys.

With best wishes,

Josephine Valentine, CEO
Danes Educational Trust

Making the difference together

Ascot Road

This month, ASC Primary marked its 10-year anniversary in vibrant style with a fantastic Colour Run! Pupils, staff, and volunteers came together to celebrate the milestone, running, laughing, and getting gloriously messy with coloured powder. The event was a joyful celebration of community spirit and a decade of learning, growth, and fun. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and made it a truly unforgettable day!

Chancellor's

From Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June, Year 8 and 9 students took part in a joint netball and football trip to Condover Hall, Shropshire. After a long journey, students quickly got involved in activities such as laser tag, zip lining, and games.

On Saturday, Year 8 footballers competed at Shrewsbury Town FC, securing one win and reaching the bronze final, where they narrowly missed out on a medal. Year 9 footballers performed strongly, finishing 4th overall after close group matches and impressive victories.

Year 9 netballers faced tough opponents but grew in confidence, ending the tournament in 4th place after a strong final day. Year 8 netballers showed determination throughout, finishing third in their group after two wins on day two and several closely contested matches.

Across all teams, students displayed fantastic effort, resilience, and teamwork throughout the weekend, making it a memorable and successful trip for everyone involved.

The Cranbourne

Mr Carter, assistant head and class teacher at The Cranbourne Primary School, has soared past his £1,000 fundraising goal to improve playtimes for pupils. On June 17th, he bravely completed a tandem parachute jump, raising funds for new playground equipment and markings. His mission: to transform playtimes into exciting adventures for every child. Thanks to the incredible support from the school community, every penny raised will go directly towards creating a fun, engaging outdoor space — helping children play, learn, and thrive. Well done, Mr Carter!

Croxley Danes

At Croxley Danes, we are incredibly proud of our Year 12 students who have successfully completed The Scholars Programme through The Brilliant Club. Their achievements were celebrated last month at a special graduation event hosted at the University of Oxford, where they joined over 300 students from across the country.

Throughout the year, the group engaged in a challenging, university-style course led by a PhD tutor. They developed key academic skills, including research, writing, and critical thinking and completed a 2,500-word final assignment, marked to university standards.

We’re thrilled to share that every one of our students achieved either a First or a 2:1 grade, an outstanding accomplishment that reflects their talent and commitment.

De Havilland

Our Early Years children were thrilled to witness ducklings hatch in their classroom this month. Eggs, donated by a local farmer, were carefully incubated, giving learners the chance to see the full hatching process. The hands on experience taught children how to care for the ducklings, keeping them warm, gently handling them, and even introducing them to their first swim in a paddling pool. The project not only brought the science curriculum to life but also encouraged empathy and responsibility. The young carers proudly watched their fluffy friends waddle and splash, creating memories to last a lifetime.

The John Warner

Recently, we visited Broxbourne Nursing Home to transform their garden. Although the skies were grey, spirits were high as we tackled our big task. The staff greeted us warmly alongside the beautiful plants delivered that morning. With spades and compost ready, our students dove into gardening. Seasoned helpers and beginners alike worked seamlessly, making the garden flourish in no time.

While planting, students chatted with residents, sharing laughter and stories. Everyone felt the warm welcome of both residents and staff, and the students left wishing they could stay longer. Refreshments followed the hard work, but the fun continued when Chisom and Ella sang songs from The Sound of Music and Moana. Their performance filled the garden with music and smiles, reminding us how worthwhile this project is. Our community initiative is growing stronger, and we look forward to more activities soon.

Lanchester

This month, Year 1 stepped into the past and experienced life as Victorian schoolchildren. From strict lessons to mysterious artefacts and old-fashioned games, the day was packed with hands-on history. Pupils were fully immersed in the experience, discovering what school life was like over a century ago—complete with laughter, curiosity, and lots of learning along the way. A fantastic day of fun and historical exploration for all!

Onslow St Audrey's

Our Year 9 and 10 Geographers have been taking part in the exciting Design, Engineer, Create Club in partnership with Jacobs over the past term. The students were tasked with creating a transport hub, planning and designing the whole thing on computer software and then presenting their research and ideas to a panel of judges from Jacobs. The students worked very hard on their projects and presentations, they showed so many skills across the term, and they were rewarded at the end with certificates and vouchers.

Roselands

Roselands Primary celebrated its 50th anniversary with a day of activities for pupils, parents, and staff. The morning began with a special assembly, where children were encouraged to spot the differences between the school today and how it looked when it first opened. Later, the community came together for a lively colour run, set to a soundtrack of 70s music and enjoyed in the summer sunshine. The event concluded with a whole-school colour cloud around a large “50”, marking the school’s half-century in a fun and memorable way.