Sarah Shirley

After completing an undergraduate and masters degree in Politics, Sarah completed a PGCE, qualifying her to teach social studies and English in secondary and post-compulsory education.

Following a career teaching and then managing in the Further/Higher education sector, Sarah spent nearly seven years as the Academic Director of the international pathway and language centre at the University of Exeter, before joining King’s in 2022. She is committed to the student experience and, in her previous role, focused on strategies to develop a sense of community and belonging amongst students.

In her spare time, Sarah sits on the Board of an adult and community learning provider in Somerset, contributing to the oversight of curriculum and quality issues. The provider focuses, in part, on engaging people who may have few formal qualifications and offers an accessible route back into education for many adults and young people. Sarah also enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming outdoors (especially in winter) and spending time at her tiny beach hut.