Allyson is a values-driven, experienced education leader who serves as Chief Executive Officer of Community Academies Trust, having taken up the post following the retirement of the founding CEO in September 2026.

​

Her ethos is closely aligned with the Trust’s values. Allyson believes schools should reflect and celebrate the communities they serve, while remaining ambitious, outward-facing and highly effective. Her work is driven by the vision that every child thrives, every adult grows and every community benefits within Community Academies Trust schools.

​

Allyson has worked across a wide range of school settings and local authorities during her career. She was a Headteacher for 18 years and also served as a local authority school improvement adviser. She later became Deputy CEO in a small multi-academy trust, contributing to strategic leadership and school improvement across a group of schools. Her strong track record in supporting schools causing concern and building leadership capacity led to her appointment by the Department for Education as a National Leader of Education from 2017 to 2022. Allyson was also involved in establishing and leading a regional teaching hub, supporting high-quality professional development and NPQs across the locality.

​

She holds the NPQH, the National SENCO Award and a postgraduate qualification in inclusion and vulnerable learners and is a registered Ofsted Inspector.

Ally Brown

CEO