Alumni & Student Stories

A year later, I stepped into my first teaching role at Wingfield Academy alongside fellow Sheffield graduate, Heather. As Newly Qualified Teachers, we were full of energy and optimism—and soon found ourselves facing a steep learning curve. When our Head of Department unexpectedly left, we were swiftly thrust into leadership, jointly covering the role. Though challenging, it was an experience that fast-tracked my professional growth and gave me the chance to put the skills and resilience I developed at Sheffield into practice.

Since then, my role at Wingfield has continued to evolve. After three rewarding years in senior leadership, I’m incredibly proud to share that I was appointed Headteacher this academic year—of the very school I once attended as a student. Returning to lead the school that helped shape me—a place that means so much to its community and to me—is a deeply personal, full-circle moment, and the culmination of all I have worked toward since that very first lecture at Sheffield.

The values I learned during my time at the School of Education still guide me every day: equity, opportunity, putting students at the heart of all we do, and the unwavering belief that education can change lives. I’m honoured to now be in a position where I can give back to the community I serve and help secure the very best life chances for our students. I truly have the best job in the world—and I love every second of it.

To anyone just beginning their own journey at Sheffield: embrace every moment. The experiences, the people, and the passion you’ll find there will stay with you—and shape the kind of educator, and leader, you’ll become.

Her mission: to ensure that the lived experiences and climate concerns of often-overlooked young people are seen and heard in international conversations. Sally used her training as an art therapist to facilitate creative climate dialogue and is now exploring how to translate what she witnessed at COP into age-appropriate, hopeful conversations for SEND learners. 

Her innovative outreach bridges global policy, local communities, and inclusive arts-based pedagogy—demonstrating how climate education can empower all young people. 

Read more: 👉 Full article by Sally on SoEResearch Blog