Sara Louise Seale
Summary
Highly passionate, accomplished Assistant Headteacher with over a decade of experience in outstanding secondary education, recognised for driving exceptional academic outcomes, whole-school improvement, and transformational teaching and learning practice. Currently serving in a senior leadership role within a multi-academy trust, with a proven track record of inspection success, GCSE performance at borough-leading level, and strategic leadership across curriculum, SEN, literacy, pastoral care, behaviour and safeguarding. An inspirational leader with international ambition, I bring a values-driven, student-centred approach. Known for combining high academic standards with outstanding pastoral systems, I am committed to developing world-class teaching teams, inclusive practice, and a culture of excellence.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral, Behaviour & Safeguarding
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
09.2024 - 01.2026
- Provide strategic leadership for pastoral care, behaviour, and student wellbeing across the school.
- Lead PSHE curriculum design and implementation, ensuring statutory compliance and high-quality delivery aligned with safeguarding, wellbeing, and character education.
- Line-manage Heads of Year (Years 7-11), establishing consistent, high-impact pastoral systems and monitoring
- Oversee behaviour monitoring, attendance, exclusions, and reintegration, driving improvements in student conduct and engagement across the school
- Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, managing safeguarding referrals, liaising with external agencies, and ensuring robust child protection procedures.
- Champion a culture of high expectations, inclusion, and student voice, supporting both academic and personal development through initiatives such as Culture Day and enrichment days
Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
09.2020 - 07.2024
- Held whole-school responsibility for Teaching and Learning, driving sustained improvements in classroom practice and outcomes.
- Led multiple curriculum areas alongside strategic oversight of the SEN department, ensuring high-quality provision for students with additional needs.
- Designed and implemented CPD programmes, coaching staff at all career stages to deliver consistently excellent teaching.
- Established rigorous quality assurance systems including lesson observation, work scrutiny, and data analysis.
- Played a key leadership role in the school’s first OFSTED inspection (January 2023), resulting in a GOOD judgement.
- Contributed to the school’s first GCSE cohort (2024) achieving exceptional outcomes: Ranked the Number 1 Girls’ School in the Borough for results.
- Worked closely with the Executive Leadership Team to shape school improvement planning, policy development, and long-term vision.
Head of Literacy
PolyMAT (Woolwich Poly Girls & Boys)
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Held trust-wide responsibility for literacy across two secondary schools.
- Designed and implemented a whole-school literacy strategy, embedding disciplinary literacy across all subject areas.
- Supported departments in planning and delivering literacy-rich curricula.
- Monitored impact through data analysis, learning walks, and student outcomes.
Head of English, Spanish & Media Studies
Avon Valley College (11–18)
09.2016 - 07.2019
- Led three subject areas, driving curriculum innovation, staff development, and improved outcomes.
- Successfully managed teams, budgets, and assessment strategies.
- Raised standards through targeted intervention, curriculum redesign, and high-quality teaching.
Teacher of English
Avon Valley College (11–18)
09.2014 - 07.2016
- Delivered engaging, high-impact English lessons across KS3–KS5.
- Quickly recognised for leadership potential and curriculum expertise.
- Collaborated with other teachers on curriculum development, ensuring consistency across year groups.
- Conducted regular assessments of pupil's work, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Liaised with parents regularly for better student progress tracking.
Education
PGCE - Secondary English
Bath Spa University
01.2013 - 01.2014
BA (Hons) - Journalism
Southampton Solent University
01.2010 - 01.2013
Skills
- Strategic Senior Leadership (SLT)
- Teaching & Learning Excellence
- Inspection Readiness & OFSTED Success
- Curriculum Design & Quality Assurance
- SEN Leadership & Inclusive Practice
- Pastoral Systems & Behaviour Culture
- Safeguarding & Child Protection (DDSL)
- Staff Development & Coaching
- Literacy Across the Curriculum
- Data-Driven School Improvement
- GCSE Outcomes & Raising Attainment
- NPQML Leadership Qualification
- Leadership Edge Coaching Certification
Professional Ethos
I believe quality, first class education is defined by academic excellence, exceptional pastoral care, and inspirational leadership. My practice is grounded in evidence-based pedagogy, cultural sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and student wellbeing. I thrive in ambitious environments where high expectations, innovation, and global outlooks are valued.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Headteacher – Pastoral, Behaviour & Safeguarding
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
09.2024 - 01.2026
Assistant Headteacher – Teaching & Learning
Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls
09.2020 - 07.2024
Head of Literacy
PolyMAT (Woolwich Poly Girls & Boys)
09.2019 - 07.2020
Head of English, Spanish & Media Studies
Avon Valley College (11–18)
09.2016 - 07.2019
Teacher of English
Avon Valley College (11–18)
09.2014 - 07.2016
PGCE - Secondary English
Bath Spa University
01.2013 - 01.2014
BA (Hons) - Journalism
Southampton Solent University
01.2010 - 01.2013