Senior Leadership Group

Alexis joined the Trust in 2019 and has been involved in SEND education for the majority of his career. He started his career as a Lecturer at Hartlepool College teaching A Level, Access to HE and GCSE but found his vocation teaching the Learning Support classes which inspired him to work in the field of SEND. For the last 15 years he has held a variety of senior leadership positions in charities that support children, young people and adults with additional needs with a focus on education, training and care.

He is currently a partner governor at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital and an Associate Trustee at an educational charity that supports people with Autism. He is also the Responsible Individual for Dickson House children's home which is part of the Trust. His mum was brought up in a children's home and then fostered so he appreciates the value of high-quality care during childhood.

He does enjoy spending time with family especially by the seaside or abroad with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys travel, music, reading and football and is a keen supporter of Middlesbrough FC who he has been following for over 40 years. He has the wrinkles to prove it! He does love learning whether it's an idea, a theory or a skill which is one of his core values along with humility, positivity, leadership, humour, gratitude, equality and perseverance.

Alexis Johnson

CEO

Phil joined the organisation in 2010 becoming the first senior HR appointment to the Trust Executive Board.

Prior to this he held senior HR positions as Head of HR, Group HR Manager and Divisional HR Manager operating in the Construction and Civil Engineering, Rail Engineering and Manufacturing sectors.

As a Chartered Member of the CIPD and a respected HR generalist with over thirty years of experience as a HR professional his specialist fields are in Employee Relations, Strategic HR Management and Employment Law.

Outside of work he pursues a lifelong passion for music and photography, often combining the two in his work as a freelance live music photographer at concerts and festivals around the UK.

He regards his move of fifteen years ago into the specialist education sector as being by far the most fulfilling and rewarding time of his career and considers it a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and committed workforce on a daily basis.

Phil Carter

Director of Human Resources

Saleem joined the organisation in May 2025 and is a member of the Trust Executive Board.

He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds a Mathematics Degree from the University of Warwick.

Saleem is passionate about the power of education to change lives and has experience of working across different educational settings including school, college, and university.

In his free time he’s an avid reader, and finds running and walking great ways to unwind and reflect. He also enjoys sports and especially those that involve hitting a ball around a court - whether it’s tennis, squash, or pickleball.

Saleem Rafiq

Director of Finance

Hi, I'm Natalie, I have worked for the Trust since 2006, first as the Deputy Manager of the Nursery progressing to the role of Manager in 2011. I have a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies and I am currently studying towards the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL).

I spend all of my free time with my husband, our three boys and our little French Bulldog, Max. I spend most weekends being 'footy mum' cheering the boys on from the side lines. We love going on family holidays, taking walks on the beach and going on bike rides.

Natalie Firth

Director of Quality and Support Services

Tracey has dedicated 18 years of her career to our college, making a profound impact on the lives of students and staff alike. She joined the college when it was 'Doncaster College for the Deaf', initially stepping in to cover a six-week application period. During this time, she fell in love with the college's mission and quickly immersed herself in supporting deaf students with SEND needs, realising she had found her calling.

Throughout her career, Tracey has held various positions, including Transition Coordinator, Transition Manager, Senior Curriculum Manager, Deputy Principal, and now Acting Principal. Her leadership style is distinctly person-centred, always keeping students at the heart of her decisions. Tracey's unwavering commitment, energy, passion, and vision have driven her to enhance the student experience and maintain supportive learning environments.

Tracey shares, "I believe in the power of education to transform lives. My goal is to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential."

Outside of work, Tracey enjoys spending time with her family and friends, embracing life to the fullest through activities such as walking, camping, holidaying, and attending live music events. She doesn't take herself too seriously and loves to laugh. Tracey is also deeply involved in her children's activities, cheering them on from the sidelines of football matches and through the window at gymnastics.

Tracey Jamison

College Principal

Hi, I'm Helen. I have worked for the Trust since 2010, first as a Team Supervisor, then as Deputy Manager within the Nursery. I am a qualified Early Years Teacher and I have a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies. I am currently studying towards the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership.

I like to spend my free time with my husband, son and step-daughter. We love to travel, go on holidays abroad and enjoy bike rides together. My favourite part of working in the Nursery is watching the children grow and develop and supporting families along the way. I am extremely proud to work in the Nursery and appreciate the impact the staff have on the children in our care.

Helen Goddard

Nursery Manager

My name is Kate and I have worked at Doncaster Deaf Trust since 2002. I started my journey as a residential care worker at Doncaster School for the Deaf and quickly progressed to a team leader. Over the years, I have worked in College and School, running the residential provisions but in 2011, I became the Registered Manager for the Children's home onsite. I absolutely love my job, every day if different and exciting. From management duties, to working on shift and Ofsted inspections, I cover it all. My main purpose is to ensure that as a team, we help to create a safe and nurturing environment, whereby children have the opportunity to have a positive childhood experience, with the best possible outcomes.

In my spare time, I am a mother of two children. Both have additional needs, which gives me a greater appreciation for my role. I love to swim and after donating half of my liver to my daughter who needed a Liver transplant in 2013, I took part in the British Transplant Games, for 3 consecutive years, winning a Gold, Silver and bronze medal in the Live Donor races.

Kate Warner

Children's Home Registered Manager

Hi I’m Tina and I have worked for the Trust for over 8 years.

I am very community minded and invested a lot of time volunteering in my local area providing activities for 4 to18 year olds and employability/training for adults and was a District Councillor from 2010 –2015.

I had previously worked in the Welfare to Work Industry for 15 years. Having spent a lot of my career working with individuals who had multiple barriers that deemed them unemployable I soon realized the positive impact that was created given the right support.

I believe that anyone who wants to work should be given every opportunity that has huge benefits to not only the individual but also the communities in which they live.

Tina Rafferty

Aspire to Be Manager

Sarah joined us in 2025 and has 24 years of experience in the education sector.

Her most recent post was Assistant Director and Head of Education, Skills and Work at HMP Doncaster. In this role, she set and led the strategic direction for all educational initiatives. Prior to this, Sarah led the Service for Deaf Education at City of Doncaster Council after initially working as a Primary School teacher where her love of teaching deaf children started.

Sarah said: “I am thrilled to take up the post of headteacher at Doncaster School for the Deaf. My career has been dedicated to supporting and empowering d/Deaf children and young people, and I am passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment."

Sarah Barton

School Headteacher

Senior Leadership Group