Sarah Shobrook entered higher education at the age of 36 and studied a degree locally at the College of St Mark and St John. The ability to study locally enabled Sarah to complete her first degree in Geography and continue on to complete a PhD in Geography with Exeter University.

As a mature student with a family Sarah was limited geographically in her career opportunities and took a Project Officer post with Plymouth University in 2000 looking at progression from HND to a top-up degree.

Since 2000 Sarah’s academic career has focused on managing and creating an academic environment where the delivery of higher education in a further educational context is sustainable and supports local needs. She has been involved in publications about foundation degrees and produced a range of teaching and learning materials around progression to honours.

Sarah is currently Higher Education Team Leader for Truro and Penwith College, she is a reviewer with QAA and has presented nationally and internationally on issues of progression and developing HE in a Further Education College.