Leadership Team

Chris Nichols: Head Teacher

I’m Chris Nichols and proud to be the headteacher of Danesgate community school. Having joined the school 10 years ago as part of the Senior Leadership Team, I have been part of developing the school, encouraging it to grow and flourish into the thriving provision it now is. Having recently been successful in becoming the headteacher, I have a passion and commitment to the school, its students and whole community. I strive to make the school the best it can be and to give its students opportunities and experiences to allow them to flourish and achieve despite their learning and SEMH needs. I am keen to develop the school further to ensure those young people who are most disadvantaged, vulnerable or struggle with mainstream education in York are supported with an enriched and diverse curriculum to ensure the best outcomes, future studies and career pathways.

Sarah McKinley: Deputy Head Teacher

I have worked at the Danesgate Community since 2005, starting as an SEN teacher and then developing to the SENCO, for which I hold the National SENCO qualification, and more recently the Deputy Head. My passion is to support each young person to be the best they can be and to help them grow holistically and not just academically. I am also the Lead teacher for children who are looked after by the Local Authority. I am a published author on mental health and wellbeing in secondary school and the Lead for mental health and wellbeing in school. My hobbies are gardening and opera. My favourite days are taking my dogs to the beach.

Mel Shephard: School Business Manager and Headteacher’s PA

I’m Melanie Shepherd, I have worked at the school for over 20 years. My role is to ensure that the resources and facilities are the best they can be for the students that attend Danesgate- making sure the school invests wisely and appropriately in not only the buildings and teaching resources but also through a staff team that can deliver a broad and exciting education offer for every young person that attends. I thoroughly love working at Danesgate and seeing the positive impact it has on families and the surrounding community…my commitment and drive is to give all the students at Danesgate a quality learning experience.  

Rachel Duffill: Provision Lead (Primary

I am Rachel Duffill and I am the Primary Provision Lead at Danesgate. I have worked in education for over 16 years, beginning my journey as a teaching assistant in a mainstream school. My passion for supporting young people and helping them thrive has driven me throughout my career. For the past 8 years, I have worked at Danesgate, spending the first 5 years working with the Outreach Team.

As the Primary Provision Lead, I am committed to making a difference to the lives of our students. I love being able to support my colleagues so we can create an environment that helps the pupils build the confidence and skills they need for the future. 

Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy hiking, especially when it allows me to take in a beautiful sunset!

Andrea Ford: Provision Lead (Steps)

My name is Andrea Ford. I am a History teacher and Provision Lead for STEPs at Danesgate Community. My career journey began at Lancaster University where I studied American History, including a year abroad at the University of Colorado. I completed a PGCE at Leeds Trinity & All Saints in Secondary History and also trained as a TESOL teacher not long after. I was an EAL Coordinator in Wakefield. I am a trained Person-Centred Counsellor.

I have taught in mainstream schools for around 10 years, 17 in years in total including Danesgate. I have taught GCSE and A Level History, as well as Key Stage 3 Geography. I took time out of teaching to complete a Masters Degree in Modern History at York University. During this time I worked at Children’s Services as a Senior Family support Worker for three years, before going back to teaching. I have taught in Leeds, Wakefield, Goole and York, before coming to Danesgate in 2017.

I enjoy working with a strong team in STEPs, who have a wealth of knowledge and skills. I enjoy being Provision Lead as it allows me to have an overview of the fantastic ways in which we support our young people. It’s a privilege to see how we can make a real difference to young people’s lives at Danesgate on a daily basis.

I have lived in York for 20 years.Outside of school I enjoy walking up hills and mountains, spending time with family and friends and going to see live music.

I love my job at Danesgate. No day is ever the same!

Steve Martin: Provision Lead (TalkAbout)

My Name is Steve Martin and I am Provisional Lead for TalkAbout. I have worked at Danesgate for just over 7 years. Prior to this I have worked in and around York, Middlesbrough and my home town of Watford where I am originally from, in a range of different Special schools. My favourite lessons are Maths, History and Geography. When I am not at work, I enjoy photography, walks with my dog Luthor and more recently lawn bowls.

Jacki Blake: Provision Lead (Bridge)

Having left school, aged 15, with no qualifications, I was travelling for a number of years before I returned to education in the 90s via an access course. I moved from London to complete my degree at University of York and my PGCE at University of Leeds, after which I became the English teacher at the Pupil Support Centre in Cornlands Road in 1998…..and I’ve been here ever since!

I am now the Provision Lead for the PRU: Bridge Provision as well as English Lead for the school. The Bridge team is a close-knit one, made up of long established, experienced and hard working people who share a deep conviction that all our young people have potential and our only task is to guide each of them towards realising their own capabilities. I have always loved working at Danesgate because of its never-changing ethos of tolerance and inclusivity – the pupils have always been, and continue to be, at the centre of what we do – but my current role of leading the PRU team to facilitate our pupils (sometimes next generations of them!) and their peers through teenage life is a real privilege.

My own, grown daughters still dominate much of my life (funny, that!) but travel / being on the move remains my favourite thing – possibly why I’ve loved Danesgate so much….. We are, after all, in the business of moving things on.