Our Governance
Croxley Danes School is part of the Danes Educational Trust - a multi-academy trust set up by St Clement Danes School in June 2016. Each school in the Trust has its own School Board which reports to the Danes Educational Trust Board. Parent governors are elected by the parents at the school, staff governors are elected by the staff at the school and all other governors are appointed by the Trust. Details of the CDS Governors can be found below.
The Trust's Members and Trustees, together with the Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference for each School Board can be found by following the link below:
Danes Educational Trust - Governance Information
Judith Thorn - Chair of Governors
Judith has a BA (Hons) in Business and Biomedical Science and her background is in the pharmaceutical industry. She has supported CDS since its earliest days and has one daughter at the school who started in the first cohort in September 2017. Judith became a Governor at CDS in November 2017. She was Vice Chair of the School Board from September 2018 until July 2022, when she stepped up to the role of Chair. She was a founding member of the CDS Parent Association, actively working as a Committee Member & Trustee for 4.5 years, and also has experience as an Examinations Invigilator at another local secondary school.
To contact the Chair of Governors, please email: governors@croxleydanes.herts.sch.uk
Carla Watson - Vice Chair of Governors
Carla works for BP in the role of Trading Operations Team Leader, Naphtha and LPG. Carla lives in Croxley Green and is a parent of twins who are now in Year 10 at the school. Her role as a governor of the School Board is enhanced by her skills in team leading, decision-making, negotiation and problem solving within a commercial environment. She also has excellent community links and understands the need to have a strong leadership team within the local governing body.
Thomas McKinnon
Tom has a first-class BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and a PhD from Imperial College in molecular haematology. He is currently a senior lecturer at Imperial College and runs an international research group investigating mechanisms of thrombosis and haemostasis. He also leads an MSc in Molecular Medicine and has extensive experience with higher level education. Tom’s daughter started in Year 7 at Croxley Danes School in September 2022. Tom is hoping to bring his experience with University education and scientific links to aid the progression of the school.
Ian Casselton
Ian is Head of Projects (IT E&F and Environment) within the IT Directorate at Kings College, London, with a strong prior background in Student Systems. His experience working with Project Managers delivering projects involving main contractors and leading a programme refurbishing audio visual equipment across the College will be invaluable to the School Board at this stage in Croxley Danes’ existence. Ian is also a parent at the school who has followed Croxley Danes’ development with interest over the past few years; he is now looking forward to being able to make a significant contribution to its work as a Governor.
Katie Llewellyn
Katie is parent to 3 pupils at Croxley Danes School. She is Head of the History Department at a local school where she is a member of the Senior Management Team and is responsible for the Eco Council. Katie volunteers for CPAS, attends St Luke's Church in Watford and enjoys singing in a choir, reading and Park Run.
Hannah Michaelis
Hannah is a Solicitor at a firm in North-West London, specialising in Residential Property and Private Client work. She grew up in Hertfordshire and lives in Watford. Hannah hopes to bring her analytical and good communication skills to the governor role and looks forward to joining the Croxley Danes School Board.
Anthony Peters 
Anthony, who has a son at the school, was appointed as Finance Governor in March 2021. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1995 and worked for many years in industry before deciding to return to private practice in 2011. He owns his own accountancy firm, based in Northwood. Anthony has fulfilled the role as the Independent Examiner for the school’s Parents Association since September 2018 and is looking forward to supporting the school as a Governor as it continues its growth journey to a full school and beyond.
Melissa Rose Marsh
Melissa has a BA (Hons) in English and American Literature and a MA in Museums
and Galleries in Education. After working in events and communications in an alumni relations office she completed her teacher training in 2016. Melissa joined Croxley Danes School in 2019 as a Teacher of English and has since become the KS4 Coordinator, English and the EPQ Coordinator. She has been the Chair of the Staff Common Room since 2021 and was elected as Staff Governor for Croxley Danes in 2022.
