Meet Our Governors

IAN RICHARDSON

Headteacher

Started 01.01.15

 I am interested in communities and how learning can drive the aspiration of children, parents and staff alike. My philosophy derives from a simple principle – that everyone, no matter what their background, or life experience, should have the chance to shine. We have one chance in life and I am in the privileged position of motivating teams, alongside my governing body, to reach challenging goals – however unattainable they might seem. One of my favourite films is Dead Poet’s Society and the mantra – ‘carpe diem’ (‘seize the day’) provides my spiritual, moral and ethical foundation to lead a school towards excellence.

 I began my teaching career in 1994, in Cookridge, Leeds, moving to Bailiffe Bridge, Calderdale in 1997 as a middle manager. In 2000, I became a deputy headteacher at Hightown, Liversedge and, after two years became the headteacher at a small village church school in Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield. In 2006, I joined Batley Parish CE School and steered it to outstanding twice. During this time, I supported schools in special measures, as a National Leader of Education, and ensured the care and welfare and professional development of staff. This focus on staff wellbeing supports a ‘can do’ attitude and motivates a school community to find a new pathway or solution to inspire learning and teaching.

 Since starting Dalton in January 2015, I have led the school, together with my talented deputy and committed assistant head towards a new vision for our school. This was a wholly inclusive activity and included children, staff, parents and governors alike. Since then, we have begun to ignite that vision through coaching in teams and a relentless focus on learning and teaching. Staff have seized their potential and furthered their professional qualifications, often leading bespoke case study work or launching a whole school project, to tackle issues within whole school improvement priorities. Governors have asked critical questions that have led to the waking of a new and exciting dawn.

 Often, I am raring to start the day as I visit our early morning breakfast club and welcome the children with a rousing ‘Good morning, everyone.’ They earnestly reply, ‘Good morning Mr Richardson; Good morning everyone’ with a melodic bounce! This is the joy of Dalton School – its friendly embrace, its warmth and its glowing ethos. Our vision is about bold endeavour and everyone on my team recognises that each day is about encouraging children to learn independently and develop confidence to become the best they can be.

 Our governors are highly capable and undertake their role with compassion, humility and rigour. They are centred on improving outcomes for children and families and are not afraid of asking challenging questions to steer our thinking or help us reflect on the whys and hows of our approach to learning and teaching, or safety and behaviour. They are robust in their role and I love helping them shape the story of how our school is meeting its strategic vision with all of the bumps and hurdles that we sometimes find. Arising from this is the excitement of new possibilities and a desire to become outstanding one day – not for the kudos but for the opportunity to know we are doing the absolute best for our wonderful children and their families.

COMMITTEES: Leadership Strategy, Standards & Effectiveness, Resources, Staffing & Pay

I was elected as chair of governors at Dalton in October 2025, having joined the governing body at Dalton School in November 2023 as a local authority-nominated governor.

My background immediately before retiring was as a director of a large NHS hospital trust in Essex and East Suffolk, having spent my career in management in the NHS in East Yorkshire, Barnsley, London and the Home Counties.

While working in East Anglia, I was a parent governor and then chair of governors of the primary school my younger son attended.  I was also asked to chair the governors of a newly established special school in Essex, providing support to seventy-five 5-19 year old students from across the county with severe and complex autism and related social, communication and behavioural issues.

I have extensive experience as a parent to a son with complex autism and associated special needs,  On retiring I moved back to Yorkshire and have lived on Flockton Moor since 2022.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Curriculum, SEN/D, Pupil & Sports Premium, Health & Safety (inc GDPR), Governor Training & Attendance

COMMITTEES: Leadership Strategy, Standards & Effectiveness, Resources, Staffing, Pay, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Appeals & Complaints

JANE BATES - Co-Opted Chair of Resources Started 19.10.24 Ends 18.10.28

I have been married to Jason Bates for 30 years. I also worked in the Financial Services Industry but left before Jason, after 23 years.

I am a trampoline coach and co-own my own trampoline club.  I also enjoy reading and walking, especially with our family cockapoos Boo and Teddy.

I worked at Huddersfield Town for a while and was introduced to the Huddersfield Town Foundation. When I left, Jason and I thought it would be great to get involved with a breakfast club. Luckily we were asked to go to Dalton, where we have met some wonderful children (and the adults aren’t bad either).

I really enjoy coming into school spending time with the pupils and staff as it is such a welcoming and happy environment.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Health & Safety (including GDPR) & Communications

COMMITTEES: Leadership Strategy, Resources, Staffing, Pay, Pupil & Staff Discipline, Appeals & Complaints.

SUSAN MALLINSON - Associate School Business Manager started 02.09.25  Ends 01.09.25

I live across the other side of town, in Meltham, with my husband, my grow-up children having now flown the nest. Much of my spare time is spent with family, quite often walking the surrounding hillsides in attempt to keep fit and healthy.  I also have 2 grand-children  who keep me on my toes. I enjoy visiting new places and do so as often as I can, both at home and abroad.

I have worked at Dalton School for over 27 year, starting out as an Administrative Assistant, a role which has evolved into my current position of School Business Manager. I have experienced lots of change during this time and have embraced the opportunities this has provided for my own development, undertaking relevant training along the way. I have just rcently made the huge decision to semi-retire and am now just working teo and a half days a week.  I have also bought myself a motorhome and am looking forward to new adventurs

I joined Governors many years ago. My reason being two-fold - to be able to share my knowledge as an employee with its members but also gain an insight and understanding of the role of the Governing Body.

My contribution to the Governing Body is mainly of a financial nature, given that I am responsible for maintaining the school’s budget and related systems, but am also able to make contributions based on my knowledge of the school.

Although I am not from the local area I hold the success of Dalton School close to my heart and wholeheartedly share in its vision and aspirations. Being a governor as well as a member of staff enables me to have a holistic view of how the school progresses and strives to provide its pupils with a desire to do their best whilst feeling happy and safe in their surroundings.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Governor training & Communications

COMMITTEES: Resources

EMMA WALSH - Associate Deputy Head Teacher Started 20.10.25 Ends 19.10.29

From of an early age, I have always wanted to become a teacher, practising everyday with my teddies in my bedroom. I didn’t have the easiest of journeys becoming a teacher, but with hard work and determination I achieved my dream.

It was Dalton School who gave me my first opportunity, covering maternity leave in a year 3 class. I have taught in Reception, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 and have had many roles within school, such as ICT and Maths Lead as well as KS1 Lead Teacher. In 2012, I became the Assistant Head. 24 years later, I am still here in the role of the Deputy Head. In addition to my role as Deputy Head, I also support other schools within the local authority as part of Mr Richardson's National Leader in Education role.

I believe that Dalton School is a very special place with very special people in it, those being the staff, parents and of course more importantly, the children. I am very lucky to work with such a dedicated governing body, who always put the children’s interests first and who endeavour to make Dalton School a safe, happy place that promotes the desire to learn and succeed.

As you can imagine, teaching is not the easiest of jobs, but I can definitely say, hand on heart, that it is the most rewarding job. It is especially lovely to hear from past students, who have achieved so much and still hold Dalton School in high regards.

Outside of school, I enjoy music and I am a member of a Huddersfield based brass band, Hammonds. I am very proud of my achievements with the band, especially being ranked in the top 20 in the world brass band rankings.

COMMITTEES: Leadership Strategy, Standards & Effectiveness, Resources & Staffing

DEBBIE WHITFIELD - Co-Opted  QTVI Vice Chair of Standards & Effectiveness Started 08.10.25   Ends 07.10.29

I started my teaching career in Lancashire, where I taught mainly in Key Stage 2, leading various subject areas and being a mentor for newly qualified teachers. In 2006 my husband and I relocated to Huddersfield.

For thirteen years I have worked across Kirklees as a QTVI, enabling young people with profound/severe visual loss to achieve their potential.

Outside of school, I am devoted to family life with my husband and two daughters. We love being out and about in the fresh air walking our French bulldog and relaxing in our caravan.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Children Looked After, Safeguarding & Equality and Inclusion

COMMITTEES: Standards & Effectiveness, Staffing, Pay, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Appeals & Complaints

Joanna Smith - Parent Started 09.03.2022 Ends 08.03.2026

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Mathematics & Attendance

COMMITTEES: Resources, Staffing, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Appeals & Complaints

Emma Woodward - Co-opted Vice Chair of Governors Started 24.10.23 Ends 23.10.27

I am SENDCo and teacher at a Nursery School/ Enhanced Provision in Bradford and have worked there for 10 years. I have a passion for Inclusion and I am a strong advocate for learning through play. I have two young children and when choosing a school for them, I was struck by Dalton School's inclusion and ethos. This led me to choose Dalton for my children but also made me want to be more involved. I started as a co-opted Governor in 2022 and my Link areas are now SEND and Early Years. I love being involved in the meetings and being able to learn more about how this brilliant school is managed and run.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: SEN/D & Early Years

COMMITTEES: Standards & Effectiveness, Resources, Staffing, Pay, Pupil Discipline, Staff Discipline, Appeals & Complaints

Nicola Cole - Staff Governor Started 31.01.24 Ends 30.01.28

I have been teaching at Dalton School since 2000, so as you will be able to tell, I absolutely love working here!  I have had varied roles, such as KS1 leader and SENCO, however my heart lies within the Early Years.  This is where I am happiest.  Teaching our youngest children to learn through their play and their interests, makes coming to work every day an absolute joy.

Outside of school life, I enjoy going away for weekends and holidays with my family, dining out, spending time with my friends and going to music concerts.  I also spend many a weekend watching my 16-year-old son play football for Kirkheaton or supporting our local football team, Emley.

COMMITTEES: Standards & Effectiveness, Resources & Complaints

I have been a teacher since 2003,