Founders, Directors, and Psychologists of Dallington School

Paola y María Recio Zapata

They have combined their professional experience as psychologists and teachers, and their passion for education, to realise their dream: creating a school in a unique setting where pupils grow up surrounded by warmth, security, and confidence. They benefit from the best teaching methodologies delivered by a highly professional and compassionate team.

James Shallcross

He has over 40 years’ experience in education, having served as a teacher, inspector, headmaster, and manager across various school groups, and co-founded five schools in Spain. He is a co-author of the national inspection system for British schools in Spain and was a member of the national committee for the Association of British Schools in Spain for 19 years. in 2000, he was awarded the MBE (“Member of the British Empire”) for his services to education in the UK.

Senior Leadership Team

Headmaster

Peter Hay

He leads and oversees the implementation of the British curriculum. As the educational cornerstone of the teaching team, he ensures every pupil develops their maximum potential within a happy and secure learning environment. His function is to guarantee that the teaching and learning process is delivered with the highest educational quality, motivating the team in the design and implementation of an innovative and creative curriculum using diverse methodologies. Peter has over 20 years of teaching experience across all phases, from Primary through to Sixth Form. He holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and is an inspector for NIS, the body responsible for British school inspections in Spain.

Head of Spanish Department and School Manager

Paloma Valderrábano

She coordinates the Spanish Department. Having taught in Early Years and Primary education for the past 20 years, both in Spain and the UK, she possesses a special insight into both educational systems. She is a committed professional who continually explores the diverse ways in which her pupils learn. She collaborates closely with the British team to create a shared curriculum that ensures every pupil reaches their full potential in developing their aptitudes and skills. As School Manager, Paloma also assists with the overall running and organisation of the school and is responsible for liaising with the Spanish inspection authority, as well as managing the validation and homologation processes.

Head of Early Years

Melissa Field

Trained in the British system, she has over 15 years of teaching experience. In addition to leading our Early Years setting and ensuring the British Early Years curriculum is implemented coherently and rigorously, she is passionate about education. She prides herself on leading with the highest standards and designing play-based and child-led learning activities that motivate pupils to achieve their very best. She firmly believes that for a child to reach their maximum potential, they must first develop a love for learning. She inspires the Early Years team to foster curious minds and cater to diverse individual styles.

Management Team

Head of Primary Education

Joanne Marston

With over 20 years’ experience in teaching and leadership, both in the UK and internationally, she is passionate about preparing children to meet the challenges of the 21st century. She champions the holistic development of the pupil through a broad and demanding curriculum that stimulates critical thinking, independence, and creativity. She believes that deep learning requires oracy and dialogic teaching as essential tools. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, travelling, and exploring new cultures that enrich and inspire her educational work and personal development.

Head of Secondary and Examinations Coordinator

Mr. Hiley

With 15 years’ experience in teaching and international educational leadership, he places special emphasis on combining academic rigour and high standards with the holistic development of the pupil. He teaches across Secondary and Sixth Form. His goal is for pupils to learn in a rigorous, personalised, and practical way. His teaching background, along with his experience as an examiner for the University of Cambridge, brings a fundamental approach to these important phases, balancing academic rigour and excellence with pupil engagement and active methodologies that can be applied to real life.

Head of Sixth Form

Mr. Day

Originally from London, he studied English Literature at the University of Warwick and trained as a teacher through the Teach First programme. After two years of teaching in the UK, he moved to Madrid, a city he soon considered home. Throughout his career in various British schools in the capital, he has held posts such as Head of the English Department and University Applications Coordinator. As Head of our Dallington College and University advisor, his goal is to ensure that every pupil feels intellectually stimulated and that, upon leaving the school, they have not only achieved academic success but are also well-prepared, confident, and full of aspiration for a bright future.