Our Governance

St Clement Danes School is part of Danes Educational Trust. The Danes Educational Trust Board has responsibility for the operation of the Trust, but delegates some of the responsibilities to a local level. Therefore, schools within the Trust have a School Board, comprising local Governors. The School Board holds 4 meetings per year. In addition, each School Board has an Admissions Committee and a Senior Staff Pay and Remuneration Committee.

For goveranance documents, structure and financial information about the Trust, including the school's funding agreement please see the Trust website.

To contact the Chair of Governors or request the minutes of the School Board meetings, please email governors@scd.herts.sch.uk 

School Board of St Clement Danes School

Below you will find further details of our School Board. 

Mr Steve Clarke (Chair)

Steve Clarke was appointed co-opted governor in September 2019 and he has a son currently at the school. Steve is co-founder of a technology consultancy and he has also been a corporate Chief Technology Officer. As a result, he is particularly interested in helping develop the school’s technology strategy and capability and the student’s engagement with STEM. Steve is the community link governor for staff.

HEC Nominated Governors:

     Mrs Shane Markanday

Shane was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in June 2021. She is an experienced accountant currently working as an Internal Audit Manager at a large global banking group. Shane has had varied experience managing and delivering a range of specialist reviews across both the public and private sector including HR, Finance, Operations and Compliance. She is passionate about inclusion and diversity and the importance of wellbeing at work. Shane is the community link governor for parents and the wider community.     

Mr Stefan Simons

Stefan was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in March 2024. He brings 25 years of experience of working for financial services companies in the City. Currently, he serves as the Head of Investment and Fiduciary Technology for a large UK pension fund. Stefan is a father to four children who are at various stages in their education, ranging from university to primary school. In his spare time, he enjoys all sports, particularly football.

Mr Paul Read

Paul Read was appointed a co-opted governor in October 2024. He is the link governor for staff. Currently working for his own consultancy company, he has over 20 years experience working in the private sector and public sector. Paul has experience in running large operations as well as commercial and procurement functions. He is passionate about bringing the best out of people and creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Trust Appointed Governors:      

Dr Scott Kemp 

Scott was appointed a parent governor in 2018 and has three sons at the school. He is a consultant intensivist and anaesthetist at the Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Trust. He is the clinical lead for ICU. He has experience in delivering medical education and is involved in the process of accreditation of standards in anaesthesia. Scott is the community link governor for safeguarding/attendance.

Elected Staff Governor:

Mr Henry Fry 

Henry Joined the School in January 2016 and was appointed as staff governor in December 2023. Henry has over ten years teaching experience working in various educational settings including secondary and higher education where he has been involved in teacher training.

Elected Parent Governors:

Mrs Jaime-Lee Keen

Mr Danny Kindell

Danny was appointed a parent governor in 2023 and has two sons at the school. For the past seven years, Danny has also been involved in the SCD Business Mentoring Programme. Danny is a former student and former Head Boy of the school in 1992. Following his time at St Clement Danes, Danny was awarded a 4 Year Soccer Scholarship at the University of Hartford, Connecticut USA. On returning to the UK Danny joined the family IT business, NBM Technology Solutions Ltd and after holding various roles in the Company, became Managing Director in 2004. Danny is the community link governor for SEND.

Headteacher: 

Mr Toby Sutherland

Mr Sutherland joined St Clement Danes School in September 2017 as Deputy Headteacher before being appointed Headteacher in January 2018. He joined us from Queens’ School, Bushey where he was Deputy Headteacher for four years. Mr Sutherland is a member of the Education Advisory Group for Challenge Partners, an organisation of 500 schools nationally supporting school improvement. He also Chairs the Herts and Bucks Challenge Partner Hub of twelve schools and is currently the Chair for the South West Herts Consortium group of Secondary schools. 

School Board Meeting Attendance

School Board Membership

School Board Declarations of Interest