SARAH GOULDING
Summary
Strategic Leader experienced in education, operations, programme leadership and business transformation. Achieved organisational growth and effective management of multi-million-pound budgets through expertise in literacy development and school improvement for disadvantaged children. Focused on enhancing outcomes for young people through initiatives promoting literacy, wellbeing and social mobility.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
23
23
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Director of Operations and Sales
Greenhalgh's Craft Bakery
Bolton, Lancashire
2019.01 - Current
transformation across a multi-million-pound organisation employing approximately 700 staff.
Selected Achievements
• Delivered transformational commercial growth, increasing mobile sales revenue from £180,000 to £2.5 million and online revenue from £89,000 to £1.1 million.
• Managed operational performance and P&L accountability across a £5.2 million business area.
• Developed and delivered annual business plans across retail, franchise and mobile divisions.
• Introduced KPI frameworks, performance metrics and commission structures to improve accountability and operational effectiveness.
• Built and led cross-functional teams spanning operations, marketing, logistics, technology and supply chain functions.
• Led teams through significant organisational change, including COVID-19 operational response, furlough management and departmental restructuring.
• Delivered complex stakeholder projects, including a £1 million BBC Children in Need initiative involving national partners and major high-street retailers.
• Regularly present strategic recommendations, operational insights and growth opportunities to senior leadership teams.
Leadership Impact
Successfully combined commercial growth with cultural transformation, developing a more accountable, commercially focused and growth-oriented organisational culture whilst strengthening operational performance and brand recognition.
Assistant Head Teacher / Acting Head Teacher
The Gates Primary School
2012.01 - 2019.01
- Senior leadership role focused on school improvement, literacy leadership, curriculum development and pupil outcomes.
- Led whole-school English strategy, driving literacy improvement and reading engagement.
- Supported strategic school improvement planning through evidence-based decision making and pupil performance analysis.
- Mentored trainee teachers in partnership with Edge Hill University.
- Worked collaboratively with governors, staff and families to improve educational outcomes.
- Developed personalised learning approaches to support children with diverse needs and backgrounds.
- Recognised as a leading classroom practitioner whose teaching was regularly observed by colleagues and trainee teachers.
Head of Key Stage 1 / Teacher
St Marie's RC Primary School
2009.01 - 2012.01
- Led Key Stage improvement initiatives and literacy-focused interventions.
- Supported curriculum development and pupil progress strategies.
Head of Key Stage 1 / Teacher
Rivington Independent School
2008.01 - 2009.01
- Led Key Stage provision, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning outcomes for students.
Education
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) -
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk 2005.09 - 2028.07
Skills
- Leadership strategy
- Commercial Strategy and Growth
- Strategic Leadership and Business Planning
- Project management
- Budget Management and Forecasting
- Revenue Optimisation
- Sales Strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Change Management
- Team Leadership and Development
- Community Impact and Social Value
- Risk Management
- School Improvement and Education Strategy
- Literacy Development and Reading Engagement
Custom
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Degree Qualification
- Leadership and Management Development
- Relevant Professional Training
Custom
Funded and coordinated book donations for children across schools in the North West, increasing access to reading materials and supporting reading for pleasure., Established partnerships with children's authors to promote literacy and reading engagement., Organised and funded author visits to schools, creating inspirational reading experiences for children., Long-standing advocate for literacy as a key driver of educational attainment, wellbeing and social mobility., Authored a children's wellbeing resource designed to support emotional health and mental wellness within Early Years settings., Champion for children's voice and inclusion, ensuring initiatives remain focused on the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged children., Developed initiatives supporting children experiencing food insecurity through holiday hunger programmes., Expanded breakfast provision support to schools and communities with high levels of deprivation., Led and contributed to major community and charitable initiatives, including a £1 million BBC Children in Need project involving national media partners, retailers and community stakeholders., Built effective partnerships between schools, businesses, community organisations and charitable partners to maximise impact.
Timeline
Director of Operations and Sales
Greenhalgh's Craft Bakery
2019.01 - Current
Assistant Head Teacher / Acting Head Teacher
The Gates Primary School
2012.01 - 2019.01
Head of Key Stage 1 / Teacher
St Marie's RC Primary School
2009.01 - 2012.01
Head of Key Stage 1 / Teacher
Rivington Independent School
2008.01 - 2009.01
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) -
Edge Hill University
2005.09 - 2028.07