Founders and Directors of Dallington School
Paola y María Recio Zapata
They have joint their experiences as psychologists and teachers with their passion about education, to make their dream possible: to start a school in a unique learning environment, where their pupils grow in a caring and secure environment with confidence, and receive a high quality education by a staff team characterized by their professionalism and values.
-
Co-author of the national inspection system for British schools in Spain
- Senior Consultant and Supervisor of Secondary Education
James Shallcross
James Shallcross has worked for over 40 years in education as a teacher, inspector, Headteacher and General Director of school groups. He has co- founded 5 schools in Spain and also co-wrote the national system of inspection for British schools in Spain.
For 19 years, he was a member of national committees of the National Association of British Schools in Spain. In 2000, he was awarded the MBE by H.M Queen Elizabeth Il for services to education.
- Management team
Academic coordination
Headmaster of Primary and Secondary
Peter Hay
As a passionate educator, he aspires to see every child fulfil their potential in a safe and happy learning environment. He is committed to overseeing the teaching and learning across the school to ensure it is always of the highest quality. He encourages the Dallington team to be creative and innovative within the British curriculum and continuously try different approaches to engage the pupils.
Senior School Manager and Head of Spanish Studies
Paloma Valderrábano
Paloma Valderrábano González, is the Senior School Manager and Head of the Spanish Department. She has worked as a teacher both in EYFS and Primary. She has studied and worked both in Spain and England thus giving her a sensitivity and greater understanding of both educational systems. Miss Paloma is a dedicated teacher who is passionate about learning and discovering how different children can learn in many different ways, which has led her to investigate the different methodologies different schools apply weather in Spain or in England. As the head of the Spanish department and working closely with the British department her goal and calling is to create a hunger for learning in the children as well as developing each child’s skills and abilities for them to achieve their full potential.
Head of Early Years
Melissa Field
Trained in the British system, she has more than 15 years of teaching experience. In addition to leading our Infant School, and ensuring that the British Early Years curriculum is developed consistently and rigorously, she is a Nursery teacher passionate about education. She prides herself on teaching and leading to the highest standards whilst at the same time creating play-based, child led learning activities that motivate the children to achieve to the best of their abilities. She strongly believes that to reach a childs’ potential, they have to first develop a love for learning. She does so by motivating the Early Years team to foster inquisitive minds and to cater to individual styles.
Head of Primary
Joanne Marston
My name is Joanne Marston, and I am proud to serve as Head of Primary. With over 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in the UK and internationally, I am passionate about preparing children for life in the 21st century. I believe in developing the whole child through a broad, challenging curriculum that promotes critical thinking, independence, and creativity. I’m a lifelong learner and advocate for dialogic teaching and oracy as powerful tools for deep learning. Outside of school, I love reading, travelling, and exploring new cultures, which continually inspire both my teaching and personal growth.
Head of Secondary Assessment Coordinator
Mr. Hiley
In my 15 years of teaching and educational leadership experience in the international sector, I have always had a strong focus on combining academic rigour and high standards with whole-child development. I teach across the secondary and college age range and also love to contribute to schools in other aspects - be it supporting musical development, running extra-curricular trips, or coaching sports teams. Fundamentally, I want our students to learn a lot, and enjoy themselves whilst they do it.
Head of College
Mr. Day
Originally from London, I completed my degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick and qualified as a teacher through Teach First.
After teaching in England for two years, I moved to Madrid, the city that I quickly became proud to call home. In my career in various British schools here, I have held positions including Head of English and University Applications Coordinator.
As Head of College, my mission is to ensure every student is intellectually challenged and leaves Dallington School not only academically accomplished but also confidently equipped to embrace a bright and successful future, wherever that may take them.
After teaching in England for two years, I moved to Madrid, the city that I quickly became proud to call home. In my career in various British schools here, I have held positions including Head of English and University Applications Coordinator.
As Head of College, my mission is to ensure every student is intellectually challenged and leaves Dallington School not only academically accomplished but also confidently equipped to embrace a bright and successful future, wherever that may take them.
