Governor Profiles

Malcolm Dawson OBE, Chair of Governors

Malcolm was a civil servant for over thirty years, which included appointments in the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Justice and as Chief Executive of HM Land Registry and then of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Since retiring from the civil service in 2014 and moving back to Yorkshire, he has run his own consulting business. He lives in Bewerley, where he is a parish councillor, and enjoys golf, walking and music. He is married with one son. He has been a governor since November 2014.

Sam Meneely

Sam is a Primary School Teacher, teaching EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 Children. She has worked in education for a number of years and has worked with Looked After Children as a mentor and NEET students. Sam has SEND experience and holds a first-class degree in Counselling. She has particular interests in the wellbeing of young people, Mental Health, supporting vulnerable children, Inclusion, RSE and PSHCE.

Pat Dunnill

Pat has many years of Governor experience. She is now retired but before retirement was self-employed before training to teach in further education. Pat taught CIEH (including H&S) and bespoke courses for Business Services and Development departments in FE colleges.

Brian Horner

Brian is retired, having been a Director of a local construction company and more recently owner of several public houses in the area. Presently he is a Parish Councillor, with finance responsibilities on Langthorpe PC, and a Director of The Moorings Management Committee, a voluntary position. For many years he held the position of Leader in Charge at NYCC Youth Clubs having completed a number of qualifying training courses organised by County, he also promoted a number of Apprenticeship Initiatives during his time in the Building Industry. Brian has close links with many organisations operating within the Boroughbridge area and can therefore keep the Federation informed of Community Activity.

Andrew Howard

Andy Howard started as a school governor in 2017 and was Chair of Governors at King James’s School from Sept 2018 to Sept 2020. He has lived in Knaresborough since 1999. He studied at the University of York and worked as a commercial litigation solicitor in London for a few years before moving back to Yorkshire. He now works for Asda in Leeds, managing Asda´s anti-corruption and anti-money laundering programmes.

Andrew Town

Andy has been a Teacher for 25 years with experience of Mainstream and Alternative Education provision. He is a Qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator and has specific interests in Special Educational Needs, Pupil Premium and Looked After/Previously Looked After Children.

Ian Yapp

Ian is a co-opted Governor for our federation, a member of the Executive Finance Group and also one of our Curriculum Link Governors. Ian has a first degree in a science-based subject and a PGCE in Education. Professionally, Ian is a primary school teacher with more than 30 years experience in the sector, who is currently executive headteacher at a large school in Tadcaster and the Chief Education Officer for a cross-phase Multi-Academy Trust. Ian has worked very closely with a number of secondary schools throughout his career, including both of the schools in our federation. Ian currently also chairs the North Yorkshire Schools Forum, which has overall responsibility for finance for all of North Yorkshire’s maintained schools. Ian is passionate about education; that it should provide for every pupil and aspire for all to reach their utmost potential.

Antoinette Stewart 

Antoinette Stewart lives in Knaresborough. She has two children who attend King James School. She has a varied background in Archaeology, IT, and Scenes of Crime. She worked in the NHS for 16 years before entering the Charity sector and is currently People & Resources Director at Martin House Childrens Hospice.

If you would like to contact the Governors, please email the Clerk to the Federation Governors.