Dee Marsh – Director of Tykes Teaching Alliance

Dee Marsh has led the Tykes Teaching Alliance since 2017, bringing over 17 years of experience in education, including leadership roles in Early Years and family support.

As Strategic Lead, Dee oversees the strategy and operations of Tykes, the outward-facing arm of HCAT, supporting schools across Barnsley and Doncaster. She leads a wide range of services including Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Continuing Professional Development (CPD), School-to-School Support, and the delivery of the Early Career Framework (ECF), Appropriate Body services, and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) via Exchange Teaching Hub. Tykes is also proud to act as a Lead Delivery Partner for Exchange Teacher Training.

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 in Barnsley and Doncaster. She works closely with Exchange Teaching Hub, the designated Teaching School Hub for the region, to ensure that Early Career Teachers and education professionals at all stages of their development receive high-quality training, support, and guidance.

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.

Her extensive experience in education gives her a deep understanding of school life and the needs of both staff and students. In her new role, Tia supports the alliance’s events and communications, combining her educational expertise with her creativity. She is passionate about supporting educators and empowering school communities and is eager to use her skills to make a positive impact.