PETER SYMONDS PRINCIPAL SARA RUSSELL OBE INVESTED AT WINDSOR CASTLE
Sara Russell, Principal of Peter Symonds College, has been presented with an OBE by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at a prestigious ceremony held in the Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle. Sara was awarded the OBE in the King’s New Year Honours List, in recognition of her outstanding services to further education.
Speaking after the ceremony, Sara said: “I have been privileged, throughout my career, to work alongside colleagues who consistently support young people with dedication, care and professionalism. This honour recognises their collective endeavour.
“I am especially grateful to my colleagues at Peter Symonds. Each day, I am inspired by their work, as they challenge, empower and support our young people. I am proud and humbled to receive this award, which celebrates the transformative power of their work.”
Chair of Governors at the College, Lynne Evans commented: “Peter Symonds is served by an outstanding body of dedicated staff. They value and celebrate each student and continuously strive towards exceptional outcomes. Sara’s OBE is a testament to her steadfast and enduring leadership of the College, and to her unwavering commitment to excellence, equity and opportunity both at Symonds and across the further education sector.”
Sara joined Peter Symonds in 2018 as its first female Principal. During her tenure, the excellence of work at Peter Symonds has been repeatedly recognised by Ofsted, with the College achieving Outstanding ratings in 2020 and 2024.
Sara has brought to Symonds a particular commitment to inclusion and celebrating diversity. In 2023, Symonds was the country’s first sixth form to make a public commitment to being an anti-racist college. She has also been instrumental in developing state-of-the-art facilities for her students. The recently opened Russell Music Centre 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.
-ENDS-
Posted: 22 April 2026
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