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Josephine valentinaDr Josephine Valentine OBE: CEO Danes Educational Trust

Dr Josephine Valentine was Headteacher of St Clement Danes School, Hertfordshire, from 1998 to December 2017 when she moved to become CEO of the Danes Educational Trust full time. In October 2011 the school received an ‘outstanding’ grading from Ofsted for every aspect of school provision and performance.  The school’s results are amongst the very best in Hertfordshire and the country. Since 2008, St Clement Danes has been a National Support School and Dr Valentine is a National Leader of Education. In 2013 St Clement Danes was designated a National Teaching School and as such it leads the Herts & Bucks Teaching School Alliance. Most recently, it was awarded "World Class School" status, a mark only bestowed on 43 other schools in the country. In December 2018, it was announced that Dr Valentine was to receive the OBE for Service to Education.


Indport p03Stephen Thompson MA (Cantab), PGCE: Headteacher

Having taught Chemistry in two other comprehensive schools, Stephen joined St Clement Danes as Head of Science in September 2000, becoming Assistant Headteacher in September 2002.  He has held responsibilities across many areas of the school, including Assessment and Monitoring, School Development and Strategic Planning, School Self-Evaluation, Curriculum, ICT Strategic Development Planning, Initial Teacher Training and the induction of Newly Qualified Teachers.  He worked extensively on the education plan for the original application and was appointed Deputy Headteacher in March 2015, taking on the project management of Croxley Danes School. In December 2016 he was appointed Headteacher of Croxley Danes School and took up this post in January 2017.


 


Lucy DorringtonLucy Dorrington: Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of Maths

Lucy started her career as a Maths teacher in 2001 following a career change from Bass Leisure Retail. She has since worked in several schools across the country including Nower Hill and Kings Langley School. Lucy held the role of Head of Maths, Lead Numeracy across the curriculum and most recently worked as a Lead Practitioner focusing on school wide Teaching and Learning. Lucy also achieved AST (Advance Skills Teacher) status in 2006.

Lucy joined Croxley Danes in September 2021 as Assistant Headteacher and teacher of Maths. Her portfolio includes teaching and learning, assessment and monitoring as well as curriculum development.


David Dwight: Acting Deputy Headteacher, Director of Sixth Form Studies, Teacher of Music and Designated Safeguarding Lead  David Dwight

David started his career as a teacher of Music in 2008 following a career change from working in BBC radio. He has since held the role of interim curriculum leader of Performing Arts and, for eight years, as Head of Sixth Form at The Misbourne School in Buckinghamshire. David moved to Croxley Danes School in September 2021 joining the Senior Leadership Team to launch the Croxley Danes Sixth Form. His portfolio also includes careers, data protection, ICT and pupil premium. David also has responsibility for the pastoral life of the school and is the Designated Senior Person for Child Protection and Looked After Children.  


Helen Cox

Helen Cox: Assistant Headteacher and Teacher of Geography

Helen started at Croxley Danes in September 2019 as the Humanities Faculty Coordinator. In September 2020 Helen was promoted to Head of Faculty. In April 2021 Helen was appointed as Assistant Headteacher and assumed the role in September 2021. Her portfolio includes continuing professional development of all staff, promoting extra-curricular programmes for students and developing links between the school and the Croxley Green community.

 

Linda Walke: Assistant HeadteacherLinda Walke

Linda started her career as a History teacher in 2002 and has since worked in several secondary schools and one primary over her career to date.  She has developed and led ICT at Department and strategic level.  At Monks Walk School in Welwyn Garden City, Linda led Parental Engagement, PSHE and the Penn Resilience Programme. She has experience of learning and developing the PSHE across all key stages and supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing among students.

She joined Croxley Danes School in 2023 as Assistant Headteacher and teacher of Geography.  Her portfolio includes school culture, developing student leadership, behaviour, PSHE and Mental Health.

 


Shannon Walker

Shannon Walker: Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Operational Safeguarding Lead)

Shannon began her career as a Science teacher at St Clement Danes School in 2016, achieving her MA in Education in 2017. She progressed her career, taking on the role of KS3 Science Coordinator in 2018 and assuming the responsibility of Head of Year 10/11 by 2020.

Shannon joined Croxley Danes school in September 2023 as Assistant Head Teacher with a focus on operational safeguarding leadership.

 


Cat WebbCat Webb: Associate Assistant Headteacher 

Cat started her career in 2012, gaining QTS through the Graduate Teaching Programme. She developed her teaching career at Hertswood Academy, joining the pastoral team as Head of Learning and then progressing to join the SLT, taking on the role of Transition Coordinator. 

Cat joined Croxley Danes in 2022 as Head of Key Stage 4 and has now taken on the role of Associate Assistant Headteacher. 

With a BA (hons) in Textile Design through the University of the Arts London, Cat also teaches all three specialisms within Technology.