Alison is retired after a 37-year career in teaching.  Although she originally trained in primary education, all of her teaching experience has been in the secondary sector where she held senior leadership roles for 30 years, including 13 years as the Headteacher of Warlingham School & Sixth Form College. As a Local Leader of Education and as Chair of the Tandridge Schools Partnership, she worked collaboratively with colleagues across all phases (including special education) to raise standards of education in East Surrey.  She also became an accredited trainer with the National College for School Leadership on a Senior Team Development Programme. 

Alison currently works in a voluntary capacity alongside police with young people and vulnerable adults and sits on school admission and permanent exclusion panels.  She is also a Trustee of a Multi-Academy Trust in the Reigate area.