The Staff

Curriculum Leadership
With such a large and diverse programme spanning many disciplines and levels, a large amount of work has to go on behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. Dallam employs one full time and one part time Curriculum Leader to plan, organise and manage the centre and to deliver our main educational and specialist practical courses. In addition, we have one member of the office team who is responsible for all our administration and a wide range of highly capable Outdoor and Environmental specialists who we employ to staff a variety of our provision. We are very keen to maintain our established reputation as a high quality provider with a very student centred and experiential ethos and seek to employ individuals who can work in this way.

Stephen Banks BA(Hons), PGCE, MSc

Steve is our full time Curriculum Leader with a diverse list of critical responsibilities. He has a background in physical education and psychology and is a specialist in motor skill acquisition - having completed highly regarded postgraduate research in this field. As well as looking after much of our Outdoor programme, Steve is also responsible for our Environmental provision, a subject area he believes to be of paramount importance.

In addition to his academic credentials Steve is highly qualified in the practical activities we offer including: Level 5 Coach in Inland Kayak and Open Canoe, Level 4 Coach Sea Kayak, Winter Mountain Leader, Cave Instructor Certificate holder and Advanced Dinghy Sailing Instructor. He is an Accredited Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning.

Ben Daines BA(Hons), PGDip, DRLP


Ben works part time at Dallam and has major responsibilities in the department including NCFE courses and First Aid training. He has a geography and recreation background and brings with him the experience of many years in the outdoor industry, including senior management positions in the County Outdoor Education Service. Ben is also highly qualified practically including: Level 5 Coach Open Canoe, Level 4 Coach Inland Kayak and Sea kayak, First Aid Trainer, Senior Sailing Instructor and Powerboat Instructor.

Our two core staff are highly motivated, experienced educationalists and outdoor professionals who are passionate about their work. They complement each other well. While both have a wealth of secondary teaching experience, they now revel in the stimulating atmosphere generated by our students, who come from a wide cross section of society and an even wider range of life experiences.

A major factor in Steve’s and Ben’s educational philosophies is the belief that the majority of learning should be student centred and take place in the outdoors - which is why the courses are, almost certainly, the most practical it is possible to find anywhere.