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Dee Marsh – Director of Tykes Teaching Alliance
Dee Marsh has led Tykes Teaching Alliance since 2017, bringing over 17 years of experience in education, including leadership roles in Early Years, family support and Early Help. Prior to joining Tykes, Dee led Hoyland Common Children’s Centre, based at HCAT’s founding school, and has been part of the trust since its inception. She now oversees the strategic direction and operational delivery of Tykes, the outward-facing arm of HCAT, supporting schools across Barnsley, Doncaster and the wider region.
Dee leads a broad portfolio of school improvement and workforce development services, managing key partnerships with Exchange Teacher Training for Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Exchange Teaching School Hub for Appropriate Body Services, the Early Career Framework (ECF) and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and Barnsley Schools Alliance for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and School-to-School Support. Alongside these workstreams, she oversees the development and delivery of Tykes’ apprenticeship provision, supporting workforce development and career progression across schools and educational settings.
Karen Hartshorne – ECT Induction Appropriate Body
Karen Hartshorne has been with Tykes Teaching Alliance since 2016 and brings over 30 years of experience in education, primarily coordinating Continuous Professional Development and providing the Appropriate Body service.
Karen began her career working for the Local Authority, managing the NVQ centre and leading the development and delivery of the Barnsley HLTA Programme, granting HLTA status to over 500 candidates.
As ECT Induction AB/CPD Manager, Karen works in partnership with Exchange Teaching Hub and is responsible for providing the Appropriate Body service to schools across Barnsley and Doncaster. She establishes systems, protocols, and processes to facilitate the statutory functions of AB for Early Career Teachers, acting as the named contact for ECTs should any concerns or queries arise.
Katie Bramall – Professional Development Programme Lead
Katie Bramall joined Tykes Teaching Alliance in 2023 as Professional Development Programme Lead, bringing 16 years of experience in primary education across EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
In her role, Katie leads the delivery of the Early Career Framework (ECF) for schools across Barnsley and Doncaster, working closely with Exchange Teaching School Hub to ensure Early Career Teachers and education professionals at all stages of their development receive high-quality training, support and guidance. Katie is also the tutor for Tykes’ Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise to develop a highly skilled workforce and support the professional growth of teaching assistants across the region.
Tia Welbourn – Marketing and Events Coordinator
Tia Welbourn joined Tykes Teaching Alliance in 2025 as Marketing and Events Coordinator, bringing 13 years of experience teaching across EYFS, Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2.
Tia Welbourn joined Tykes Teaching Alliance in 2025 as Marketing and Events Coordinator, bringing a wealth of educational experience alongside first-hand knowledge of career progression within the school workforce. Beginning her career as a Teaching Assistant apprentice, Tia went on to achieve HLTA status before completing her teacher training through Tykes Teaching Alliance.
In her role, Tia leads all marketing and communications activity for Tykes and supports wider communications across HCAT, including the design and delivery of social media campaigns, promotional materials and marketing strategies. She also coordinates events and engagement activities, helping to promote professional development opportunities across the region. In addition, Tia is the tutor for Tykes’ Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, using her own career journey and practical experience to inspire and support apprentices as they develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to progress in their careers. Her work reflects Tykes’ commitment to creating clear pathways for professional growth and developing a skilled and sustainable workforce for schools.