Alison Sutherland
I attended Carrick Academy from 1990-1995. I was Yellow House Captain in S5 and Head Girl in S6. My proudest moment in school, apart from being Head Girl, was when I won overall Scottish area winner in a national competition run by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. I was also proud to have won an Ayrshire poetry competition and had two poems published in a poetry anthology. I hugely enjoyed my time at school and was heavily involved in leading and organising a range of activities within school and for the local community, including performing in many school shows in the town hall. I have fond memories of this.
I left school in 1995 to study English Literature and Economic & Social History at Strathclyde University. From there I attended Jordanhill Teaching College and studied a one year post-graduate certificate in English Teaching.
I have had the privilege of teaching and working with many fantastic young people and staff in various schools across the West of Scotland. Laterally I was Depute Head Teacher in Ardrossan Academy and in 2015, Head Teacher in Dumfries High School and then Irvine Royal Academy.
My strong desire to make a difference and ensure the best outcomes for children and young people has led me to the job I am in now. In 2019 I was appointed Head of Service for Children, Families and Justice Services in North Ayrshire.
My love of learning and thirst for knowledge has stayed with me my entire career, and in 2015 I was proud to have graduated from Stirling University with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
People say your school days are the best years of your life, and I have to say this very much resonates. I have very fond memories of being at Carrick and my experiences there have shaped me and where I am today.
I left school in 1995 to study English Literature and Economic & Social History at Strathclyde University. From there I attended Jordanhill Teaching College and studied a one year post-graduate certificate in English Teaching.
I have had the privilege of teaching and working with many fantastic young people and staff in various schools across the West of Scotland. Laterally I was Depute Head Teacher in Ardrossan Academy and in 2015, Head Teacher in Dumfries High School and then Irvine Royal Academy.
My strong desire to make a difference and ensure the best outcomes for children and young people has led me to the job I am in now. In 2019 I was appointed Head of Service for Children, Families and Justice Services in North Ayrshire.
My love of learning and thirst for knowledge has stayed with me my entire career, and in 2015 I was proud to have graduated from Stirling University with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership.
People say your school days are the best years of your life, and I have to say this very much resonates. I have very fond memories of being at Carrick and my experiences there have shaped me and where I am today.
Pupil Questions
What were you like as a pupil at Carrick Academy? How does this differ/stay the same to how you are as a person now?
During your time at Carrick, which teacher/teachers had the biggest influence on you? Why do you think this was the case?
Was the career path you took the one that you had originally planned? If not, what were your aspirations at school?
How hard has it been to have success in your field? What has enabled you to achieve your success?
Were there any particular subjects from your time at school that you feel have helped you on your journey?
What words of advice would you give the current pupils of Carrick Academy in relation to school and life beyond school?
- I was very sociable at school and liked organising events and activities. I was also very organised and liked to be well prepared. I also liked getting involved in different events both for the school and the local community. This is exactly what I am like now! My organisation of any event has military precision and attention to detail!
During your time at Carrick, which teacher/teachers had the biggest influence on you? Why do you think this was the case?
- One of the teachers who had the biggest influence was my Guidance Teacher. She was caring and supportive and I felt I could talk to her about anything. Mrs McClymont was the person who suggested I should think about university as I had the grades to get in – to be honest, I hadn’t really given it much thought until she mentioned it to me during a careers interview. Her time spent with me and her advice is why I went to university.
- I loved my French teacher at school and was always very well prepared for his classes – I learned my verbs, verb endings and vocabulary and I can still rhyme off my French verbs and speak reasonably good French 25 years later! Mr Alexander was funny but also very skilled at making you learn at the same time. He also pushed you to do better.
- My English teacher was also hugely influential. I loved reading and studying the classics and debating various issues in Higher English. We had some really fun times and great learning too – this is what led to me pursuing English at University.
Was the career path you took the one that you had originally planned? If not, what were your aspirations at school?
- I originally wanted to do something with languages and travelling. I had thought of going into the airline industry but after my careers interview with my Guidance teacher this was when I started thinking seriously about university courses and what options were open to me. I always knew that I wanted to do something that involved working with people – I like conversing with people and also trying to help people.
How hard has it been to have success in your field? What has enabled you to achieve your success?
- Focus, determination, having a clear plan and strong leadership have enabled me to be successful. Hard work, being passionate and driven about what I wanted to achieve are key. Having a positive mindset and taking the time to listen and learn from others. I also think that understanding you can’t know everything and there is more learn is very important – that way you keep building on your skills and take yourself out your comfort zone to be even better.
Were there any particular subjects from your time at school that you feel have helped you on your journey?
- English – being able to communicate, listen, write and analyse language has helped me greatly in my life both during and beyond school. Also taking part in the wider life of the school is really crucial – school is not all just about the qualifications (they are important!) but school is also very much about the wider experiences and opportunities to get involved that shape and develop people as individuals.
What words of advice would you give the current pupils of Carrick Academy in relation to school and life beyond school?
- Try your best – ask yourself is this good enough or could I do a little more?
- Be prepared to put in the extra effort
- Get involved in all that you can both in and out of school – take yourself out of your comfort zone and try new things out
- Life beyond school – take advantage of every opportunity you can, listen to advice, have clear goals for yourself, don’t tie yourself to one opportunity – be open minded and don’t worry if you are not sure what you want to do – keep your options open. Retain good values and morals, look after yourself and look after others – you never know who you will be working with again in the future!
- Don’t let anyone tell you - you can’t do something – have a goal, find a way and do it!