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Success for students at English Speaking Union

Last week, two Year 10 St Clement Danes teams competed in the Hertfordshire Final of the ESU Public Speaking Competition. St Clement Danes has a history of success in this competition, having qualified for the National Final twice in the past five years. Both of the teams this year had qualified for the Hertfordshire Final after winning their respective local heats and we were the only school at the final to be doubly represented.

Team 1 comprised of Francesca Dann, Alex Pullen and Milo Thomas. As Main Speaker, Alex delivered an engaging speech on Art History A Level, arguing that the subject not only teaches us about the history of arts and culture but can also teach us skills which equip us for change in the contemporary world. Francesca was composed and calm as Chairperson and Milo Thomas asked thoughtful and incisive questions as Questioner.

Team 2 was made up of Vinita Patel, Will Gauke and Louis Ertl. Main Speaker Will discussed the issue of creativity in a multimedia world, suggesting that technology creates the conditions for new ideas rather than stifling creativity. As Chairperson, Vinita immediately set the audience at ease with her warm manner whilst Louis was shrewd and challenging as Questioner.

The contest was of a very high standard, featuring a number of local grammar and private schools. A strong team from Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School won first place and St Clement Danes Team 2 was awarded ‘Runner Up’. Congratulations to all who took part.

 

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30th January

Teachers commended for transforming Design & Technology education

We were delighted to read that our Design and Technology teachers, Miss Yalley and Mr Hadley were featured in the Design and Technology publication.  The article discusses the transformation of the Design & Technology (D&T) department at St. Clement Danes School over the past five years. It discusses how Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley took ownership of the subject, implementing a new subject ethos based on trust, excellence, respect, and safety to foster student responsibility and independence. Key Initiatives & Changes Revamping Projects & Curriculum Introduced more challenging design projects at earlier years (Years 8 & 9). Shifted focus to design skills, problem-solving, and justifying choices over just practical outcomes. Prioritized quality over quantity in student projects. Notable projects: Year 7: Robot concepts Year 8: Articulated lamps Year 9: Branded dispensers & modular speakers Encouraging Inclusion & Diversity Created a girls-only club to boost female participation in GCSE Product Design. Sixth-form girls mentor younger students, building confidence and community. Design Ventura Competition Integrated mock coursework with the Design Ventura competition. Encouraged teamwork and prototyping to improve engagement. Use of AI & Technology Introduced cloud-based tools to make learning more accessible. Leveraged AI for idea development and communication. Professional Development & Industry Links Participating in the Teachers in Residence program to gain industry insights. Adopted industry models like the Double Diamond Design Process and Scrum-based project sprints to enhance student learning. Established workshops with industry professionals to inspire students, especially girls, to pursue design careers. Key Takeaways for Educators Adapt curriculum to student needs and school culture. Pilot new initiatives as clubs first to gauge student interest. Encourage student feedback to refine teaching methods. Be open to change and continuously evolve teaching strategies. The article ultimately encourages educators to embrace creativity, experimentation, and student collaboration in D&T education. We are very proud of our teachers for their continued hard work and dedication for each of their subject areas. Congratulations to Mr Hadley and Miss Yalley for their inspiring article and the incredible work they’ve done to transform Design & Technology at St. Clement Danes! Their dedication to fostering creativity, inclusion, and industry connections is truly commendable, and their impact on students will undoubtedly be long-lasting.