Alison is an established school leader with more than 21 years of successful headship both in the UK and internationally. Her experience of teaching and leadership spans 30 years in early years, primary and secondary departments and in a wide variety of schools including mainstream and special education; including schools for moderate learning, emotional, behavioural, and medical needs, EAL, private and state, co-educational and single gender. Since 2019 she has been committed to her role as Principal of Dubai Heights Academy and brings with her a wealth of experience in leadership in the Middle East.
Alison is also a PENTA trained British School Overseas inspector with outstanding knowledge and experience in local and international school accreditation. She has worked widely as an executive committee member and country representative for British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), mentoring new school principals and helping schools work through the requirements for achieving BSME accreditation. Since joining Dubai Heights Academy, she has led the school forward in its journey of excellence including the achievement of a good rating on its very first KHDA inspection, with several very good features.
Alison’s vision is to lead the school to greater ‘heights’ by creating and maintaining a positive and progressive environment for pupils and staff to learn and develop. Alison aims for Dubai Heights Academy to be recognised as an outstanding British School in Dubai which focuses on developing the whole child; academically, intellectually and emotionally. The school’s distinctive ethos of ‘Every Child, Every Mind and Everybody Matters’ forms an integral part of its unique identity where there is an emphasis on providing the best inclusive educational practice in addition to further strengthening the community of support from all stakeholders.