Staff Profiles
Dawn Goodfellow - Chief Executive and NRC Director
Dawn joined the Northern Racing College in January 2008 as the new Director, filling the post that had been vacant since the departure of the previous Director for some 6 months. Dawn became Chief Executive of the Northern Racing College, parent charity of the Northern Racing College in March 2009.
A lifelong racing enthusiast, Dawn's background has been in the field of educating young people about business in general and heritage and rural industries specifically. For the three years prior to joining the NRC, Dawn worked for the President of the NRC, The Duke of Devonshire and was responsible for establishing the Devonshire Educational Trust. The DET was set up to develop educational programmes on each of the Duke's estates, primarily at Chatsworth in Derbyshire and Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire.
For the 13 years prior to that she was Chief Executive of the Countryside Foundation for Education, a charity that seeks to educate young people about the British countryside as a living, working environment. Whilst in this role Dawn had involvement in the setting up of the BHEST schools programme, and evaluating its first three years.
Dawn brings to the role of Chief Executive a knowledge of the formal education system and an excellent network of contacts at local, regional and national level among a whole range of educational organisations with an interest in educating tomorrow's workforce and consumers about the wider world. She has also gained a great deal of experience in managing charities from a senior level.
She says: "I have been privileged that both my previous jobs have taken me to some of the most beautiful parts of the country and dealt with subject matter about which I feel absolutely passionate. However, when offered the opportunity to join such a well respected, high quality organisation as the NRC, that will allow me to prepare and inspire young people to work in what has to be one of the most exciting industries in the world, I jumped at the chance. I realise that taking the helm at such a highly successful point in its history gives me a great deal to live up to and have to say that my first priority will be to maintain that quality and hopefully go on to develop it to new heights."
Malcolm Bygrave - Foundation Course Manager
Malc was one of the first ever students at the NRC when he enrolled in 1984. He has extensive experience of working in the racing industry, having been employed by various trainers including Clive Brittain, Charlie Nelson, Peter Calver, Linda Ramsden, Gerard Butler and Karl Billot in Jersey, where he rode 10 winners from 75 rides in public.
Malc returned to the NRC as an instructor in 1992, a position which he filled for ten years before leaving to re-familiarise himself with the racing industry. He then worked as head groom for Gerard Butler and undertook stud duties at North Farm Stud, Oxfordshire.
He returned to the college in 2004 as a Quality Assurance Officer (QAO). His contribution to college was recognised and in 2005 he was promoted to the position of Chief Quality Assurance Officer. In 2006 he was appointed Chief Instructor and in 2007 Training Manager.
Apart from obtaining his NVQ's up to and including Level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management, Malc is also an assessor and internal verifier, accredited by British Horseracing Education Standards Trust (BHEST). He has also obtained a Certificate in Education, the IOSH managing safely qualification and is a qualified first aider.
Joanne Ellis - Operations Director
The College has employed Joanne since 1994, originally in a part-time capacity as an instructor. Since 1999 she has been involved on the educational side of the organisation dealing with the delivery of key skills and theory lectures.
Joanne is a qualified assessor and internal verifier. Her contribution to the development of quality systems in the College was recognised and in 2005 she was promoted to the position of Chief Education and Training Officer. In May 2009 she was promoted to Quality Manager.
Joanne is a member of the College's management team. She has taken a key responsibility in the production of the Quality Manual.
Although the majority of instructors and QAO's come from a racing background, Joanne has brought complementary skills from the BHS sector of the equestrian world having obtained her BHSII qualification in 1996.
She has also obtained a Certificate in Education, NVQ Level 3 in Horse Care and Management and an NVQ Level 4 in Learning and Development.
Vanessa Cashmore - Work Based Learning Manager
Vanessa was recruited in February 2004 after completing an NVQ Level 3 at the college. Following six months working as an instructor she joined the Quality Assurance team and in 2010 was promoted to Work-based Learning Manager. During this time she has achieved assessor and internal verifier status, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, IOSH Managing Safely and is also a qualified first aider.
Vanessa rode out for a number of trainers while completing A-levels in Maths, Biology, and Psychology and a BSc. (Hons) in Equine Science. Upon completion of her degree, Vanessa was employed by trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, where her responsibilities included those of travelling head lass and racing secretary as well as riding out.
In her spare time Vanessa enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing and surfing.
Emma Smith - Roving Instructor
Emma was a student at the NRC in 2003 when she commenced her apprenticeship. Before turning her attentions to horseracing she achieved A-levels in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Sheffield College.
From the early days Emma had a desire to combine a career in the racing industry with travelling. Her initial training began in Newmarket, Suffolk where Captain and Mrs. Christopher Coldrey employed her as a groom at the prestigious Herringswell Bloodstock Centre. During her time she became acquainted herself with horses that later went into training with the legendary Sir Mark Prescott. Emma looks back on this time with fond memories, recalling that it was an excellent grounding.
The sunnier climates of Greece beckoned after a long British winter and Emma continued her education by preparing young thoroughbreds on a yearling farm. Here she learned the skill of training and breaking in thoroughbreds from the ground, an art in itself.
An attractive position as head groom to trainer John White enticed her back to Britain. After shivering in the colder climate for a year Emma found herself flying to the other side of the world to Lindsay Park Racing Stables in Angaston, South Australia.
Here she worked under trainer David Hayes and his long-standing assistant Tony McEvoy (Uncle of flat jockey Kerrin McEvoy). Lindsay Park has sent out over 8000 winners, including a Japan Cup, three Melbourne Cups, six Victoria Derby's and five Australian Cups to name but a few of their major race successes. Emma readily admits this was some training experience.
Upon returning to Britain Emma worked for Newmarket handler William Jarvis, before moving closer to home and settling in Malton, North Yorkshire where she was key member of Julie Camacho's team.
Emma joined the College as an instructor in 2005. In 2008 she became a part of the Quality Assurance team, which involves her visiting students in the workplace and completing assessments towards their NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications.
Sarah Judge - Roving instructor
Sarah started at the Northern Racing College in January 2011, after an exciting and varied career in racing. After competing at a high level eventing Sarah began her racing career Point-to-Pointing before becoming a professional flat jockey.
She has a wide experience racing having ridden on the flat as both a professional and amateur jockey and having ridden over hurdles and fences as an amateur. Being brought up on a farm and ridden from a very young age she has a good understanding of horses.
Having qualified as a secretary after leaving school and having finished race riding Sarah began turning her attention to the administration side of racing. Firstly working as a racecourse secretary and then spending many years as a trainers secretary in Newmarket.
Sarah has also had the experience of working abroad, working on a stud farm in Australia and as an Outrider in Dubai.
These days Sarah enjoys re-training racehorses and competing when possible. She loves travelling, and even pony trecked in Brazil racing money for Racing Welfare. To keep fit she enjoys swimming and is a fully qualified swimming instructor
Shirley Bold - Roving Instructor 
Shirley has been connected with and championed the thoroughbred horse , race horses and ex - racehorses for the last 20 years.
As an Assessor and Internal Verifier for the racing industry since 2002, she have been fortunate enough to see behind the scenes in some of the country’s top racing stables and most memorable racing moments - from giving diet advice to what was to be the next top apprentice jockey and standing on the gallops with a very apprehensive trainer watching a Gold Cup hopeful do its last piece of work, to discussing racing tactics with a young lass having her first ride in the local point to point.
Shirley's equestrian education formerly started at Myerscough College, Lancashire, where she completed the National Diploma in Business and Finance with Equine options, after which she spent several years in the South of France Show Jumping ex - racehorses. On retuning to the UK she worked with racehorses and a long side my partner, successfully trained Point to point and National Hunt Racehorses, produced racehorses for sales as well as backing and breaking young stock.
When not practically working with horses much of her career has been spent teaching, training and coaching others in racing, non - racing equitation, stable management and exam & competition preparation.
Shirley started teaching pony racing at the local pony club in 2000, so had some what of a head start when finally pony racing was formerly introduced in 2004.
In her spare time she competes in affiliated dressage, one of her own ex - race horses which she broke in as a youngster and raced has just qualified for the Summer Regional Dressage Finals. Home life is always hectic with her daughter and partner both riding and competing too and even Ron the rescued black Lurcher managed to win Best Rescue Dog at Cricklade Show.
Laura Whitehouse - Roving Instructor
I worked for the British Racing School for 8 years as a Roving Assessor and Internal Verifier, and ran Train to Gain before being made redundant in December 2010. I have ridden out for Julia Feilden for 9 years, and continue to do so on a daily basis. I have recently taken up a position as a part time racing secretary for a new trainer in Newmarket, and in addition to this I am a partner in equine learning, a new business that creates interactive on-line equine learning material.
Annette Brisbourne
Annette has worked in various different roles including a BHS Instructor, VI internal verifier, RVCS veterinary nurse, college lecturer and also working in Alice Sprins in Australia.
Racing has become increasingly important in both her career and personal life. Daughters Gaby and Bryony both ride, Gaby wishes to take up pony racing after attending a a pony club taster race at Towcester. She will be following in the footsteps of her cousins Becky and Ben Brisbourne who are enjoying a sucessful raceing career.
Claire Edmunds - Part Time Assistant Training Instructor
Claire joined the NRC in April 2010 as a part time Assistant Training Instructor.
Claire has a lifetime experience of the racing industry. She began her racing career at the NRC at the age of 16. Her first placement was at Walter Whartons. She then became apprentice jockey to John Balding. She rode 16 winners for several trainers including David Chapman, A P Jones, Don Enrico Inscisor, Eric Alston, Mary Reveley and her father John Balding. She also gained experience over the years work riding in Newmarket for H Thomson Jones, in Ireland for John Oxx and had a 3 month working holiday in Italy where she had several rides and a couple of placed horses.
In 1996 she retired from race-riding and achieved her Level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management and also became travelling head girl for John Balding. In 1998 after the birth of her first son she became Assistant Trainer, a job which she really enjoyed and she gained much experience in staff training and organisation skills.
After the birth of her second son in 2009 a change of direction was needed and she is currently working towards her Assessors qualification.
Georgina Sherry - Student Welfare Officer
Georgie joined the NRC instructor ranks in November 2005. In June 2006 she joined the quality assurance team, a position which took her the length and breadth of the country assessing students in the workplace. She later resumed her previous position as an instructor and in August 2009 was appointed Student Welfare Officer.Georgie was brought up in South Yorkshire and her early years were spent at Finningley Riding School where she achieved her BHS exams and Pony Club B test. A position with the Cottesmore Hunt in Leicestershire produced a shift in focus for Georgie who went on to spend three years as a groom before being promoted to second man.After the hurly burly of the hunting field Georgie travelled to the Royal county of Berkshire to trainer Gavin Hunter's East Ilsley stables. After four years of riding out and looking after flat racehorses she took up a similar position with Roddy Armitage, a jumps trainer.She combined her experiences in racing and used them as a launch pad to secure employment in Newmarket, initially for handler Gerry Bloom before embarking on what turned out to be a 18 year stint at The National Stud.During her time at the stud she became an integral part of the team and took on the pivotal role of assessing the Diploma students. She also took a keen interest in the arrival and departures department, which controlled the movement of bloodstock as well as managing the foaling unit. On average 120 foals were born each season.Ironically when Georgie was an impressionable youngster she visited The National Stud and can recall saying, even at that tender age that one day she would work there.Georgie has many memories of her time at the stud, but remarks that Mill Reef, the 1971 Derby, King George VI and Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winner who was retired to the stud was an exceptional horse as was the 1994 2000 Guineas hero Mister Baileys.Georgie moved back to Yorkshire in 2003. She has a wealth of experience from which the students draw upon. She has achieved an NVQ level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management, Assessor and Internal Verifier status a Certificate in Education and level 1 Councelling Skills.
Jean Jackson - Residential Supervisor
Jean is the longest serving member of the Residential Team. She started working at the college in 2000 as a Kitchen Assistant progressing to the position of Cook finally becoming a Residential Supervisor in 2004.
Prior to coming to the college Jean worked in ASDA again in the catering department in the canteen.
Jean is married with two children and two grandchildren and she lives locally.
Vicki Bygrave - Residential Supervisor
Vicki has been a Residential Supervisor since 2008, joining the team originally as relief staff and stepping up to full-time on the departure of the previous Senior Residential Supervisor.
Prior to working at the NRC, Vicki gained enormous experience in working with children and young people, from employment as a member of support staff in schools in both Yorkshire and Berkshire.
She also has two children of her own. Vicki is a qualified first aider and has achieved qualifications in food hygiene.
Francis Backhouse – Relief Residential Supervisor
Francis joined the residential team as a relief supervisor, working every third weekend and covering for annual leave, in September 2009. Francis also holds a full-time post with A4E as a Personal Advisor, counselling clients on health related benefits and supporting them back into employment and training. Francis achieved a Teaching Certificate in 1972, and has had a long career in teaching, from nursery school to adult and community education. He previously held the position of Deputy Headteacher in Bradford, where he had experience taking students on residential trips and visits. He continues to teach vocational courses to adults and young people through evening courses.
Sally Bannister - Curriculum Development Manager
Sally joined the Northern Racing College in June 2009. Initially from a manufacturing background Sally first came into Further Education as a Work Based Learning Assessor for a national training provider. During this role she became involved with screening candidates for Basic Skills and began her teaching qualifications and subject specialism.Sally was offered a job at Chesterfield College as a casual Basic and Key Skills Lecturer where she stayed before accepting a full-time post at North Nottinghamshire College. Once she’d completed her teacher training she started to look for a new challenge and was invited for an interview at the Northern Racing College and was subsequently offered the job. In her spare time she runs long distance and competes at club level for Worksop Harriers. Her best distance is the half marathon as she is better at maintaining pace over longer distances. Sally is also a Level 2 coach for a local ladies’ running club. Sally achieved her A1 Assessor Award and Level 3 Adult Literacy Subject Support while working for the training provider. She gained her Adult Literacy Subject Specialism while working at Chesterfield College. During this period she also completed the first year of her Certificate in Education, she later achieved the full award whilst at North Nottinghamshire College. Sally completed her Adult Numeracy Specialism in May 2010 and has since achieved a Leadership Award. Sally also achieved a Level 2 Athletics Coaching Certificate (UK Athletics) in February 2007.
Sue Brookes - Assistant Basic & Key Skills Tutor
Sue joined the NRC in January 2010, to assist with Key Skills tuition. With a maths degree and post-graduate teaching qualification, she taught at secondary level for a number of years, before producing two delightful children. From a car grass track racing and go karting background, horses came on the scene when her children were quite young. Gaining a Playgroup Leader's qualification, completing an upholstery course, teaching at night school and copious voluntary work preceded running a business for 23 years, responsible for the administration, purchasing and customer liaison. Continued voluntary work within various equine disciplines, gaining an IT qualification and clerking for school governing bodies have all helped to keep her occupied over recent years.
Reg Crockford - Contract Coordinator
Reg joined the Northern Racing College in May 2001 having been made redundant from the Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) during the first of what turned out to be many major re -organisations of the TEC's. Prior to the this Reg had worked in many roles in the private training sector from Scheme Manager of a 100 place Youth Training Scheme to Principal Training Officer of the local authorities 1200 place Department of Employment and Youth Training. Reg has been involved in training for most of his working life, working with young people in over 15 occupational areas and on many varied training programmes including WEP, YOP, YTS, YT, CEP, ET, FMA, AMA, A, AA etc.Working initially as Contract Administrator completing the paperwork required for the then Training & Enterprise Council he quickly used his IT skills to develop a range of applications to automate a lot of the office systems. One of these applications 'Reg-E-Base' was to become the backbone of the College's trainee centred recording system for students details, qualifications and work experience placements as well as producing the LSC claim.Reg is now the Contact Coordinator and is responsible for a small team who support the technical teams in recording everything to do with the students' journey from interview to achieving the qualification and maintaining the LSC claims database (PICS).
Julia Kajtar - Foundation Course Coordinator
Julia has been employed in the Administrative Department since 1998. She is responsible for candidate registrations and certifications, as well as answering general telephone enquiries, maintaining manual and computerised student records and organising filing systems. Her contribution to the effective running of the office is pivotal.From a very young age Julia has had an interest in horses, and currently owns four ex-racehorses, who previously enjoyed semi-retirement at the College and a Shetland pony. She also enjoys long walks with her two Border Collies, Mika and Flyn who accompany her to work. Julia has a special affinity with animals and if space permitted would take many more under her wing.
Amy Fisher - Administrative Assistant (Training)
Amy has been employed by the College since 2005. Joining as Clerical Assistant she was promoted to the post of Administrative Assistant (Training) in 2006. This position focuses on providing administrative support to the Roving Instructor team. Amy ensures they have the necessary documentation when visiting students in the workplace to complete 'on-the-job' assessments.Amy is responsible for the setting up and maintenance of filing systems and updating databases.Amy has a certificate of competence from the HSE and is qualified to administer first aid. She has attended Child Protection training, Equality and Diversity seminars and Customer Handling Skills training.
Sarah Beattie - Marketing Co-ordinator
Sarah Beattie joined the Northern Racing College in November 2009 as Admin Assistant Technical. Sarah’s role is to assist Malcolm Bygrave, Training Manager and also to support the Marketing/Recruitment Department.
Prior to joining the College Sarah worked as a Legal Secretary, prior to that she worked as a groom for racehorse owner Lady Anne Bentink.
Although none of Sarah’s family are from a racing background Sarah began riding at an early age and has a passion for racing. She is looking forward to putting that together with her secretarial experience to good use here at the College.
Michelle Bardsley - PA to the Chief Executive
Michelle joined the Northern Racing College in January 2008 as an Administrative Assistant after serving 23 years in the Royal Air Force as a Personnel Administrator.She is responsible for the organisation and administration of the specialist training courses held at the College as well as providing administrative support to the Director, Dawn Goodfellow.During her time in the Service Michelle attained an NVQ Level 3 in both Customer Services and Business and Administration, she also achieved RSA Stage 3 qualifications in Text and Word Processing. Recently she gained Advanced European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) qualifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Glenis Winters - Accounts Clerk
Glenis has worked at the College on a part-time basis in the role of Accounts Administrator since May 1993.She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the accounts department including maintaining the purchase ledger and the sales ledger, managing the petty cash, reconciling bank statements and preparing financial reports for the accountant.Glenis started her working life at Barclays Bank before moving on to the National Coal Board, which she left to raise her family, which also coincided in a move to Cumbria for four years.As well as working at the College, Glenis is also employed by the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council as a Youth Worker. This position involves working in youth club settings, information advice and guidance work and most recently setting up youth forums for young people with special needs.
Sarah Walker- Operations Co-ordinator
After gaining an AVCE in Business & Finance Sarah has been working in the area of Finance gaining further qualifications and skills along the way but made the decision to follow her passion for all things equine taking on the part time role of Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, in her spare time Sarah also practices as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist.
Sarah had her first pony at 18 months old and was brought up in a competition environment, she currently has an Ex-Racehorse, Warmblood X mare and two miniature Shetlands plus a mischievous Border Collie.
