Ms Allen went to Boldon Secondary Modern School, and then to Ryhope Grammar. She left in 1969 to go to Sunderland Polytechnic where, in 1972, she was awarded a BSc(Hons) in Pharmacology (with Biochemistry as a subsidiary subject). After her post-graduate course to get her Certificate of Education, she joined the staff of South Shields Grammar-Technical School for Boys.

She left in March, 1975.