Peter Symonds Principal, Sara Russell, Awarded OBE
The Principal of Peter Symonds College, Sara Russell, has been awarded an OBE for in the King’s New Year Honours List in recognition of her outstanding services to further education
Sara joined Peter Symonds in 2018 and is the College’s first female Principal. With more than 25 years’ experience in education, Sara has held a range of senior leadership roles across the sector and is widely respected for her commitment to widening opportunity and improving outcomes for young people and adults alike. Her career has combined strategic institutional leadership with a strong national contribution to education policy and system improvement.
Her leadership of the College has been shaped by her determination to ensure that every one of her students receives an exceptional education. During her tenure as Principal, the quality of work at Peter Symonds was recognised by Ofsted, with the College achieving Outstanding ratings in 2020 and 2024.
Sara has brought to the role a particular commitment to inclusion and celebrating diversity. The College has developed pioneering work in this area, which has been recognised nationally. In 2023, Symonds was the first sixth form college in the country to make a public commitment to being an anti-racist college. Sara has led work in the College to ensure that the individualism of students is valued and celebrated, both within the taught curriculum and also the College’s extensive programme of over 200 enrichment activities.
During her period as Principal, Sara has been instrumental in developing state-of-the-art facilities for her students. The Russell Music Centre, which opened in the summer of 2025, is a £5.4m hub for music education, with professional-standard rehearsal, recording, and performance spaces, including a recital hall, specialist band rooms, and recording studios. In 2023, Symonds also opened its Carville Building, which offers high-quality accommodation for teaching and learning.
In addition to her leadership role within her own college, Sara contributes at a national level through advisory and policy-focused work, helping to shape the future direction of further education. She currently Chairs the Wessex Group of Sixth Form Colleges, working collaboratively with fellow leaders to strengthen sixth form provision across the region and advocate for the vital role of the sector.
Reflecting on being awarded the OBE, Sara said: “I am deeply humbled and incredibly proud to be awarded this honour. Further Education is a sector built on collective effort, and this recognition belongs to the many colleagues, past and present, who work tirelessly to support students and communities. I am especially grateful to my colleagues at Peter Symonds College, who inspire me every day with their dedication, care and unwavering commitment to our students.”
“It is a privilege to work alongside such talented professionals and to be part of a sector that makes a lasting and meaningful difference to lives.”
The award recognises Sara’s sustained leadership, her influence on national policy, and her unwavering commitment to excellence, equity and opportunity within further education.
Sara will receive her OBE at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in a ceremony later in the year.
Posted: 31 December 2025
For further information about this article or the college in general, please contact our Marketing department by telephone on 01962 857553 or by email marketing@psc.ac.uk