Welcome to the Charter family
This handbook supports effective governance by setting out how the Trust works, what is expected, and how you can contribute with confidence.
About the Charter Schools Educational Trust
The Charter Schools Educational Trust was founded in 2010 with the academisation of The Charter School North Dulwich, though our story begins earlier, with the opening of that school in September 2000.
Named after the Parents Charter introduced by the Government in 1991, it was founded to meet a clear local need: a good, non-selective state secondary school offering an outstanding comprehensive education.
That founding commitment has only grown stronger. In 2016 we opened a second secondary school in East Dulwich. In 2020, Charles Dickens Primary School and Nursery joined us, marking our ambition to serve children and young people from two to eighteen.
The Trust has since grown to eight schools across the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth.
Beyond our schools, we extend our impact through the London South Teaching School Hub, our Behaviour Hub, Flexible Working Ambassador School, Challenge Partners Hub and Research School. We currently employ around 500 staff and educate approximately 4,000 children and young people.
We are proud to serve diverse, non-selective community schools. Everything we do is shaped by our commitment to ensuring every child, young person and adult connected with our schools feels included, welcomed and listened to.
Get to know our Trust Leader and Head of Governance
Shalene Varcoe
Head of Governance and Compliance
Shalene Varcoe
Head of Governance and Compliance
Shalene leads on governance and compliance for the Trust, providing advice on statutory guidance, regulation and policy, legal, constitutional and procedural matters. She is also the Trust's Company Secretary.
She joined the Trust in 2013, initially in the SEN department at The Charter School North Dulwich, followed by roles including, PA to the Headteacher and then Head of Careers and Communications, before taking the role of Head of Governance.
Before this she had a long and successful career in marketing communications and account management working with clients including The City of London Corporation, Tesco, Tottenham Hotspur Football club, UK Trade and Investment and The Royal Society.
Shalene is a member of The Chartered Governance Institute.
Cassie Buchanan OBE
Trust Leader
Cassie Buchanan OBE
Trust Leader
Cassie joined the Trust as CEO in April 2020, bringing 16 years of school leadership experience. She was previously Headteacher at Charles Dickens Primary School, where she played a key role in leading the London South Teaching Schools Alliance (now the London South Teaching School Hub) and establishing the Charles Dickens EEF Research School.
A National Leader of Education and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Cassie has extensive experience of leading organisations collaboratively. As CEO, her focus is the sustainable delivery of the Trust’s mission to transform the lives of children and young people and strengthen local communities, through excellent schools, investment in staff and meaningful partnerships. Cassie was awarded an OBE for services to Education in 2020.
