Sandra is the Founder and Managing Director of Childhood Matters Consulting Ltd and a former mainstream and special school Headteacher.
She brings over 30 years of experience across education, leadership and consultancy, working with children and young people from early years through to post-16 across local authority maintained schools, multi-academy trusts, community schools and the independent sector, both in the UK and internationally.
Sandra is widely recognised for her expertise in inclusion, SEND and relational approaches to education. She is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences and leadership events on key areas including Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA), inclusion and SEND, restorative approaches to behaviour support, adaptive teaching and learning, and alternative provision models within education systems.
She has chaired a Global School Principals Summit at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, convening international educational leaders to explore equity, wellbeing and practical approaches to improving outcomes for children and young people.
Sandra’s work is grounded in the belief that education systems must respond to the whole child—recognising emotional well-being, belonging, and developmental needs alongside academic progress. Her approach integrates educational neuroscience, leadership experience and SEND expertise to support schools in creating environments where high expectations are balanced with compassion and understanding.
Her specialist training in neurodiversity includes advanced ADHD and autism assessment qualifications, including the DIVA, DIVA-5, ADI-R and ADOS-2. This enables her to provide ADHD and autism screening and diagnostic assessment services, supporting families to gain clarity, reduce uncertainty and identify practical next steps for support.
