Former Head Teacher and Leading Behavioural Education Expert.

Sir Alan was headteacher of Seven Kings High School 1985-2008. In 2005 Sir Alan chaired a group investigating issues of school behaviour and discipline. Recommendations contained in the report, Learning Behaviour were included in the 2006 Education Act. In 2008 he was asked by the Secretary of State to conduct a further review of the issue and this was concluded with the publication of the report Learning Behaviour: Lessons Learned.

Sir Alan has been a Pro Director at the Institute of Education. He is a member of the Ofsted Board and a director of Teaching Awards for whom he is also a national judge. He is chair of the judging panel for the Ambition AXA Awards.