Who we are

Sarah has over 15 years’ experience in safeguarding, attendance and welfare leadership across alternative provision and mainstream settings. As Safeguarding and Attendance Lead for Olive Academies, Sarah provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across multiple academies, improving pupil outcomes through effective safeguarding and attendance initiatives.

Passionate about improving life chances for vulnerable and disengaged learners, Sarah has led trust-wide strategies that have raised attendance levels to 8.5% above the national PRU/AP average and strengthened safeguarding cultures across all academies. She works closely with academy leaders, DSLs and external agencies to embed trauma-informed and inclusive practice, ensuring early identification of risk and consistent implementation of statutory guidance.

Nationally recognised for her expertise, Sarah has contributed to Department for Education (DfE) consultations, including the Working Together to Improve Attendance guidance and the DfE Attendance Toolkit, and has represented Olive Academies at Westminster and through the DfE Attendance Hub.

Sarah’s values of integrity, inclusion and collaboration underpin her commitment to ensuring every child is safe, supported and able to thrive.