| Elaine Foster-Allen |
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 Elaine was born in the Parish of Manchester in Jamaica. Her parents migrated to the UK in the 60s, her father in 1965 and her mother in 1968, where they settled in Smethwick on the outskirts of Birmingham. Elaine and her sister joined them in 1976. Having left a school in Jamaica that was the equivalent of a British grammar school, she arrived at Shirelands High School for Girls which was a secondary modern school. She quickly surprised school staff by how bright she was and was swiftly out performing her peers. Elaine was also making waves within the Black church New Testament of God where by the age of 14 she had become a young leader. While at school she initially thought she would go into Medicine but then decided on a career in teaching. After completing her teacher training in the East Midlands, she applied for and got a job at Handsworth New Road School in the heart of Birmingham, a school with pupils whose parents had come to the UK from Jamaica in particular but the Indian sub continent too. In 1980, after only 18 months as a teacher, she got a job as Head of the Religious Education Department at Holte School. It is here that the pupils called her ‘Miss Parker Pen’ because they said she was ‘posh’. At the school Elaine did a lot of work with black pupils who had become disengaged or disillusioned with school, particularly after the Handsworth Riots in 1985, as well as developing innovative multi-cultural curriculum approaches and resources. As a result of this work she was asked to set up the African Caribbean Teaching Unit in the city that developed anti-racist and minority ethnic curriculum materials, and provided training for teachers in schools. She was also involved in setting up a new Supplementary School and was a member of the Handsworth Defence Campaign. She went on to become Deputy Head teacher of Handsworth Wood Boys School. Shortly after this she became an Inspector with Her Majesty’s School Inspectorate but yearned to go back into teaching so that she could make a tangible difference to the lives of black pupils. In 1990 she became the Head teacher of Handsworth Wood Girls School, the first black female Head teacher of a secondary school in the city of Birmingham. She left in 1994 having transformed the school and returned to Jamaica to work with the Ministry of Education. Elaine is now the Principal of Shortwood Teachers’ College, a large teacher training college in Jamaica.
Dave Pearson
said:
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| Elaine - I remember you from Matlock College where we went to the Rockside Assembly of God and ended up on a Sunday evening at Ma Potters at the after-after-meeting singing and praising God. Do you remember Peter Hayden, Marion Vandome, David Blackwell, Steve Wood, etc. |
Vinod
said:
| I was a pupil at HWBS and remember Elaine very well. I would like to wish her well. Regards Vinod. |
Mary
said:
| Elaine great to read stumbled across this whilst trying to find students who attended HWGS back in the 70's and 80's. Know you very well from parents and sister. We are still arriving! |
Samoura
said:
| I just want to let you know how important you are to all of us at the Shortwood Teachers' College. You are one of a kind and im really pleased that i got the coveted opportunity to meet you. Keep up the good work Mrs. Foster-Allen. |
Nikki Henry
said:
| Elaine Foster-Allen Aunty Elaine you have been the greatest influence in my teaching career. Thank you. |
Simin Foster
said:
| Elaine is my aunty, my mothers sister. I attended the school in birmingham where she was a head teacher. I have always looked upto her and have always been proud of her. I am proud of the whole of the foster family-my family....but aunty elaine has been the most influencial. I love you aunty, keep up the good work and continue to make us all be proud to carry the foster surname....love Slim |
Kerri-Ann Bacchas
said:
| Congratulations Auntie, mommy, Principal on becoming a hero I am so proud of you. As a past student of Shortwood Teachers' College you have really taken care of me and this is mommy I love you and please continue to inspire young one You will always be my favourite Principal |
Tameika Virgo
said:
| Thank you Mrs. Foster_Allen. We at the Shortwood Teachers' College are pleased to know that we are associated with the "UNDISPUTED" Elaine Foster-Allen. I will always see you as a positive role model even years after i've left STC. Keep it up "Prinny" Thumbs up to you!!!!! |
Denicia Robinson
said:
| I really admire your strength and I'll continue to uphold you in prays. You are a great leader and I wish Jamaica would honour you, (while still alive) for the great work you are doing. |
Ian Fuller
said:
| Elaine was always none as my mom., and me her son. Elaine has been my rock and my soul, she as inspired many in life like myself towards greater things as well as educated us. I am proud of her for, her teachings and contiuous encouragement Well done MOM. |
Trisha
said:
| Well done eLAINE |
eunice
said:
| Elaine is an inspiration to all of us. She provides the postive-role model that so many young people need these days. Thank You Elaine |
boy chana
said:
| just want to say what a pleasure it is to be associated and linked as a heroe to a heroine of mine who always had time for us all at Handsworth Wood Boys School. |
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