Menu

News

5 Blog Posts found

Danes Educational Trust host first student Public Speaking Competition Posted on: 22/06/2023

Danes Educational Trust host first student Public Speaking Competition

On Thursday 15 June, the first ever Danes Educational Trust Public Speaking Competition took place at Croxley Danes School. Teams from Chancellor’s, Croxley Danes, Elstree Screen Arts Academy, Onslow St Audrey’s and St Clement Danes presented topics chosen by the team members themselves. Students competed across two age categories - Junior (years 7-9) and Senior (years 10-12), with 20 competitors in the Junior division and nine in the Senior, including reserves and speech writers who also attended in support of their fellow team members. For many competitors, this event was their first experience of public speaking and the sense of achievement each and every individual felt from standing up and being heard radiated through the room. All students displayed great courage and confidence in their speeches and in representing their schools. The evening was a new opportunity for students and teachers to engage with people they otherwise wouldn’t have met. The judging panel was composed of Anne Pickard, Fiona Shore and David Tobin; three individuals from a wide variety of career backgrounds, ranging from the BBC, to local councils, yet all starting their careers as secondary school teachers. Fiona Shore told the event organisers that she “found it inspiring to see the various teams trying so hard and supporting each other”. Anna Pickard similarly commented on the “very warm atmosphere… the students enjoyed the whole experience.” Nicola Spencer, Oracy Lead for Danes Educational Trust stated that “even though it was a competition there was a sense that everyone had gained something from it.” In the junior category, the St Clement Danes team - Kristina McDougall, Nayna Pandya and Katherine Willis - placed first with their speech “Should we separate the art from the artist?”. The Chancellor’s team were the runners up for this category - Annabel Edwards, Emma Brazil and Reuben Smith - with their speech “should schools embrace AI as a valuable tool?”. The senior winners were the Croxley Danes team of Fin Casselton, Yousuf Sayed and Liam Bishop-Gregs, whose speech posed the question “Should we cancel ‘Cancel Culture’?”. All teams demonstrated a refined understanding of their topics, displaying gripping dialogues on increasingly relevant subject matters, and we would like to congratulate everybody who participated.   Elke Acornley Year 12, St Clement Danes School
Post-16 Student Leadership Day Posted on: 22/06/2023

Post-16 Student Leadership Day

We have been working across the Sixth Forms in Danes Educational Trust to develop the enrichment and engagement opportunities given to our post-16 learners. On Thursday 15 June students from across the Trust came together for the first time to learn more about how to deliver most effectively in the leadership roles they have been elected to or selected for. Workshop sessions led by The Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT) delivered theory around leadership skills such as communication to a range of stakeholders, realising vision by managing change and close consideration of values and principles – of an individual, of a peer group, of a school and of the extended school community.  Students were fully engaged in sharing experiences and developing reflective thought around the type of leadership they have enacted to date, and how that might be changed in new roles being undertaken. They were thoughtful and reflective in considering themselves as leaders with influence in their schools and showed drive and commitment to developing their skills as leaders.  The whole day was filled with a buzz which came from the collaborative approach of all and the energy students brought to the challenges set. It was brilliant to see the effect of bringing together like minded young people - all intent on effecting change for the good of their peers and their schools. Every school in the trust benefits from these students returning to lead their peers in key areas of school development - student voice; diversity, equality and inclusion; engagement with wider school communities. Leadership skills are key to the futures of success for our young people in all avenues after they leave school.  This day is one of many such exciting Trust post-16 experiences ahead for our students. Aisling Ryan DET Post-16 Lead Student feedback It was a very informative session that has given me a lot of courage to move forward with the leadership team using the leadership skills we were taught.  I am also pleased to feedback that we used many of these skills when planning and implementing a meeting this morning, writing an agenda, minutes and making sure we did not speak over each other. – Naomi The activities have really inspired me to want to make the most out of my time as Head Student. I have learnt lots about being an effective leader and am really excited about getting back into school and turning our plans into action. - Alex I thoroughly enjoyed the training and feel it gave us the foundations to help us make our ideas for our school culture into a reality. - Hannah Learning skills for student leadership will help me for all my future in meetings and public speaking. - Danni It was an eye opening experience that showed some basic techniques which can keep an audience engaged throughout your speech. - Ryan  
Celebrating the growth and development of our early careers teachers’ Posted on: 21/06/2023

Celebrating the growth and development of our early careers teachers’

Our annual ITT and ECT conference celebrated the growth and development of our early careers teachers’ collective commitment to lifelong learning.  The event, which was held at Hunton Park on 9  June marked a moment of joy as we celebrated the invaluable contribution that new teachers at DET: The Partnership make to our learners’ futures.  Our new cohort of trainees and Early Career Teachers have worked hard to show that education is a journey that requires adaptation and growth where collective wisdom and collaboration are key. We were fortunate to be joined by Rob Carpenter as our Keynote speaker who shared with us his Manifesto for Excellence. He inspired the audience with his unbridled commitment to making a real and lasting difference to children’s lives at school.  Nikki Railton helped us to celebrate the success of learner engagement through the Learner Voice Council. Learners from across our primary and secondary schools showcased how hard they have worked to discuss and understand how they learn and why they grow - both in and outside of the classroom.  At Danes Educational Trust, we learn from one another, to share our success and challenges, and to build a network of support that strengthens us all. Our newest teachers have shown that despite the ongoing challenges, they can amplify our vision and have real impact which will help to shape the future generation of learners.    
Art by Onslow St Audrey's students on display in Hatfield East show home Posted on: 19/06/2023

Art by Onslow St Audrey's students on display in Hatfield East show home

Following a creative competition, children from Onslow St Audrey's School have unveiled new artwork at Durkan Homes’ neighbouring Hatfield East development. Students of all ages from the school and sixth form took part in an art competition organised by the developer in partnership with school staff.  Durkan Homes gave the pupils the opportunity to create imaginative artwork for its new show home at Hatfield East. Read the full story in the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

5 Blog Posts found