Alison Bickle

B.Eng Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Postgraduate Certificate in Education in ICT and Sport/Games / National Professional Qualification for Headship

“I wholeheartedly believe in the Trust values of ‘Work hard, be kind, choose wisely’.  The fantastic staff and students are what makes our Trust unique.”

I am the Executive Principal at The de Ferrers Academy, where I lead a highly skilled and dedicated team committed to delivering an exceptional standard of education. Our mission is to be a community where everyone feels safe, valued and successful, and we are proud to offer a broad, balanced curriculum that enables every student to thrive, supported by staff who are passionate about making a difference.

I am committed to creating a culture where staff feel valued, supported and empowered, because I firmly believe that when staff flourish, students do too. Positivity, high expectations and a ‘can do’ attitude underpin our work, alongside strong communication that ensures all stakeholders feel part of the de Ferrers community.

Since joining the Academy in 2002, I have held a range of senior leadership roles, including responsibility for Teaching and Learning, Post-16 provision, Human Resources, appraisal, induction and staffing. This breadth of experience, alongside my long-standing connection to the Academy, has given me a deep understanding of what makes de Ferrers successful. I also played a key role in securing the acquisition of the Sixth Form Campus in 2018 and have supported schools across Staffordshire in their improvement journeys.

Alongside my leadership experience, I have served as a Principal Examiner for OCR ICT and co-authored two vocational textbooks. Prior to de Ferrers, I taught for seven years in an inner-city school in Birmingham, where I led on Careers and Vocational Education at Key Stage 5.

I hold a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Systems and previously worked for Ford Motor Company in both the UK and Germany. I achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2017. Outside of work, I enjoy walking, open water swimming and scuba diving.