Valerie Jackson is a qualified teacher who trained at Margaret McMillan Memorial Training College, Bradford. She qualified at nineteen years of age and became the youngest teacher in Bradford. She taught in schools for 30 years, specialising in Drama. She has performed in musicals, plays and has appeared in films and on television.

Valerie founded Stage 84 in 1984 and the school has since become one of the most successful schools of performing arts in the North of England. She was presented to the Queen, as Principal of Stage 84 in 1997. Valerie and her late husband, Peter, wrote the musical 'Ellis' for Stage 84 which was performed in London at the South Bank and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The musical received acclaimed reviews. Valerie was awarded 'Best Director' at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre awards ceremony in 2004 for Stage 84's production of Spectacular 2003 at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. In 2008 she was presented with the 'Spirit of Theatre' award. This is a lifetime achievement award for services to youth theatre and as founder of Stage 84. In April 2010, her students performed together with students from Germany and Holland in a new musical to celebrate the 2010 European Capital of Culture, performing in Hamm, Germany and in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. In December 2009 Valerie was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Years Honours List, for services to the arts in the North of England. She received her award from Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.