Meet our new Director of Futures

An interview with Sarah Barnard

From helping students understand the UCAS application process to providing practical interview advice and recommending degree apprenticeship routes, our Head of Futures is responsible for supporting each student to discover the path that is right for them beyond school education.

We’re delighted to be welcoming Sarah Barnard into this role from January 2027. Keep reading to find out more about Ms Barnard and what she’s looking forward to about joining Loughborough Grammar School. 

Could you describe your career background and highlights? 

I studied Modern History at St Andrew’s University before beginning my career as an Assistant Housemistress and History Teacher. I have continued to teach History and Politics over the years and developed my pastoral skills further when I spent seven years as a Housemistress. This was an immensely rewarding experience where every day was different; highlights included running a trip to work in a township in South Africa and seeing my House win Sports Day! However, it has been my role in Futures that has been one of the most rewarding.  

What do you find most rewarding about working in Futures? 

Working in Futures gives you a unique chance to pull together both pastoral and academic skills to support students in making some of the most significant decisions that they will make. This might be choosing GCSE or A Level options, thinking about post-18 options, or just seeing them inspired by hearing about a field of work or study that they have never come across before, but which fires their imagination.  

What do you enjoy most about helping students decide their next steps after leaving school? 

The fact that each individual will have a unique journey. You get to understand a little about what motivates them, what worries them and what they hope to achieve – it’s a really privileged position to be in and one that you are not always privy to as a classroom teacher. It is a real privilege to have a student trust you enough to listen to your advice and then subsequently, to see them flourish in ways they did not know were possible both at school and beyond.  

What is your best piece of advice for pupils who are starting to think about their next steps after leaving school? 

Always try to do something you enjoy. Don’t wait for the opportunity to come to you, go out and find it! 

What is the best thing that students can do to help them choose the right pathway for them? 

Research, research, research! Talk to friends, family, teachers and alumni. Also, use the many tools that are available online to support with finding out information and try to maximise in-person experiences, either by visiting universities, careers fairs or open days. 

Do you have any top tips for pupils preparing for university or degree apprenticeship interviews? 

Don’t try and ‘wing it’. Make sure you have really researched the course, university or apprenticeship provider. Make the most of mock interview opportunities beforehand too to enable yourself to feel calmer on the day. More than anything, it’s important to be authentic. It can also be helpful to connect with people at these institutions or workplaces through tools like Unibuddy and LinkedIn. 

What are you most looking forward to about starting your role at Loughborough Grammar School? 

Having spent my own education at the other end of Burton Walks as a pupil at Loughborough High School, it will be good to return to a familiar setting. More than anything, I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and understanding how they feel they can be best supported. Moving to a new environment is always daunting, but I am so grateful for the advice and support that I was given during my time at The High School and am thrilled to be able to now have a chance to support and enthuse the next generation of Loughborough Grammar School pupils.  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? 

There are probably two pieces; one is never be afraid to ask for advice – it is absolutely not a sign of weakness – and the second would be ‘Don’t look back’. We can rarely change the past, but we can embrace the future.