Sandra began her career in education in 1988 after qualifying as a Physical Education and Science teacher. She worked mainly in further education, most recently as Vice Principal for Quality and Students at Askham Bryan College, York, before retiring in 2023. She is passionate about providing high-quality education for all young people.

She holds an MA in Educational Management and works part-time as a quality adviser in the land-based college sector.

A lifelong Yorkshire resident, she enjoys dog walking outside her work in education.