Welcome to Dale Futures CIC. I am proud to serve as Director of Dale Futures, a role I am excited to begin as we build something truly impactful for the young people of Rochdale.
Dale Futures is entering a significant stage of growth and consolidation following the agreement to relocate from the current study centre to Willbutts Lane. This investment and expansion mark an important step towards becoming an established, sustainable, and high-quality alternative provision to meet the needs of Rochdale schools and learners. The new development will provide six new classrooms, a sensory room, and a vocational area at Rochdale AFC.
For the past 13 years I have worked across alternative provision settings in East Lancashire, supporting AP, SEMH, SEND and mainstream learners at both primary and secondary level, as well as working closely with local authorities. Alternative provision is not only my profession, but also my passion.
I take on this role with both professional and lived experience. Having grown up in a deprived area, I faced barriers to learning and low expectations from an early age. I know first-hand the transformational power of the right environment, positive relationships, and opportunities, especially for those who need it most.
Through early intervention and prevention, we empower every learner to achieve and succeed, shaping personalised pathways to positive futures.
At Dale Futures this is more than a statement, it is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to create high quality, personalised provision for young people who have found it difficult to thrive in mainstream education. We are rooted in the Rochdale community and committed to raising aspirations and removing barriers to learning through early intervention, therapeutic approaches, and high expectations for all.
We believe that every young person deserves to feel valued, be ambitious and experience success both in and beyond the classroom. Our team shares a collective responsibility to create a safe, supportive, and aspirational learning environment where all learners are encouraged to dream big and achieve more.
Our vision is to reduce social disadvantage through outstanding teaching, personalised support and strong partnerships with families, schools, and local services. We are committed not only to academic and vocational outcomes, but also to building resilience, confidence, and purpose in every child we serve.
We commit to every child. We commit to every family. Removing barriers, raising aspirations, building futures. That is the Dale Futures promise.
I look forward to working closely with families, schools, and community partners as we create a more inclusive and ambitious future for the young people of Rochdale.
Warmest regards,
Dillon Yates
BA (Hons), NPQH
Director, Dale Futures CIC