the foundation for further education , training and ultimately full-time employment . We aim to provide holistic learning opportunities with clear outputs and outcomes , working closely with parents and carers to identify and develop the talents and skills of our very special children " she said .
Beneath Sarah ' s quiet demeanour lies a bold and ambitious streak which has served her well during her career to date . " How would I describe myself in terms of being a leader ? Empathetic and strong - and , yes , those two words do sit happily in the same sentence . Empathy fuels connection and allows me to see the world from someone else ' s perspective . It permits me to be non-judgemental of others and it helps me to recognise emotions ," she said .
" I have always treated both colleagues and pupils with the utmost of respect and I have always found that to be a reciprocal arrangement . Of course , communication is key - if people can talk things through , they can firstly find solutions and then achieve success ," she added .
Self-evidently , Sarah ' s close working relationship with her new boss will be key to LIFE ' s fortunes in both the near and distant future . " Alastair and I are from very different backgrounds . He has a very commercial and sporting background whereas , my background is in education . I do believe that when you combine our abilities , we can boast a perhaps unique skill set ," she said .
" We built up a very close and solid working relationship very quickly - a relationship built upon trust and respect for each other . We do have a shared vision of where we want to take LIFE Wirral . When asked to consider a move to LIFE a few months ago I didn ' t hesitate for a second - it was a very easy , yes ," she added .
Saverimutto regards the appointment of Sarah as a major coup , describing her as " a leader and a polished professional ."
" She doesn ' t know it but she was exactly what I was looking for when I set about searching for a Headteacher who would lead by example and who would inspire both colleagues and pupils ," said the former CEO of AFC Bournemouth .
" My dream has always been to create a premier education business on the Wirral . I appreciate that I am not the first to target this goal but I believe LIFE is different insomuch as it will seamlessly combine the education and the coaching of some of the region ' s most gifted youngsters .
LIFE Wirral is based in a recently renovated centre just a few hundred yards from New Brighton ' s promenade and features school classrooms , conference facilities , ' Optimal Health ' student kitchens and both indoor and outdoor training zones . commitment , desire and ambition to achieve both in sport and in the classroom .
In response to what Saverimutto calls a " growing demand " LIFE is formulating plans to develop a holistic approach to education , encompassing academic attainment and physical and mental health . " We are so lucky to have Sarah to oversee this with her knowledge and expertise . Wirral and its state-funded schools are some of the very best in the country but because of budgetary cuts and economic shortfalls this much needed provision has been very badly hit - so we intend to fill the gaps ," said Saverimutto .
Saverimutto is the man behind WESPA which is focussed on discovering , developing and then delivering the sporting stars of tomorrow .
" In many ways it could be said that WESPA is not so much LIFE ' s big brother as its loving parents ," he said . " To date our sports-specific programmes have helped produce numerous junior international athletes - both girls and boys - in sports including hockey , handball , gymnastics , table tennis , football and judo . Like WESPA , LIFE will take the very best values that sport has to offer ," he said .
The opening of LIFE Wirral Sports School could hardly be more timely , coming as it does in the week a major study showed that 64 per cent of parents now believe that the wellbeing of their children is more important than is their academic achievement .
The research , commissioned by the children ' s charity the Youth Sport Trust and conducted by YouGov , highlighted parents ' desire for wellbeing to be carefully measured and tracked throughout a child ' s school years with more than 66 per cent saying that the Covid-19 pandemic , the ensuing lockdown and the changes to schooling have underlined the importance of physical education in a pupil ' s development .
" The findings highlight the need for children ’ s wellbeing to be central to recovery plans and that sport , PE and physical activity are a crucial part of that . We believe a long-term strategy is needed from government to tackle young people ’ s physical wellbeing and happiness , underpinned by a national wellbeing measurement programme to inform and target action and monitor these key issues " said the report .
Last word goes to Sarah - an eternal optimist who does not regard her switch from mainstream education to the independent sector as any form of a gamble . " Teaching has long been my passion . If I had any doubts at all about LIFE Wirral I wouldn ' t be where I am now - at the very heart of a vibrant and exciting new venture ," she said .
To contact LIFE Wirral , call 0151 705 7431 .
Each prospective student will undergo a physical performance assessment , interview and an academic test to ascertain their wirrallife . com 17