Monmouthshire County Council has announced the appointment of Sarah McGuinness as Chief Officer for Children and Young People. Sarah will take up her post in the spring.

Sarah grew up in the Rhymney Valley. After graduating from Cardiff and Leicester Universities she took her first teaching position in Blaenau Gwent. Her career led her to London where she has undertaken a number of leadership roles. Her most recent headship involved overseeing two schools in an area of significant social, cultural and economic challenge serving over 1400 pupils at full capacity. Her track record is in school improvement and she has taken on the challenge of supporting a school out of special measures to become 'outstanding', as well as ensuring sustained standards and results. Sarah's work has resulted in educational provision that consistently exceeds the national average in terms of educational outcomes and she leaves an environment that has become one of the top performing in England to join us.

Education is one of MCC's three corporate priorities and in addition, we are embarking upon the ambitious £80 million programme to bring the county's four high schools up to 21st Century standards. Because of this, we are making highly robust interim arrangements for the management of this vital service. MCC's Chief Executive, Paul Matthews, will in the interim period undertake the statutory responsibilities that go with the role. He will be assisted by a small experienced interim team.

Sarah, a fluent Welsh speaker, will take up her post in May and during the transition period will be in regular contact with the Chief Executive and the excellent Interim Team that is already in place. She said:

"I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chief Officer for Children and Young People at Monmouthshire County Council. This is a wonderful opportunity to lead education in a Council and Authority with a reputation for its outward-looking plans for improvement across all sectors of the community and its commitment to widespread public benefit."

She added:

"In a time of change and innovation in the educational landscape I am enthused with the knowledge that Monmouthshire's Children and Young People have a very bright future ahead. Excellence in Teaching and Learning are my priorities and form the backbone of my track record in school improvement. I particularly look forward to working with the committed staff and councillors I have met at MCC. It is their own enthusiasm and strongly held belief in improvement that lights the path for excellence at MCC. "

Cllr Liz Hacket Pain, MCC's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

"I'm delighted that Sarah has accepted this key post in MCC. We want to build on our already high standards of pupil attainment, carry out an £80 million modernisation of our four high schools and deal with the financial challenge being faced by the entire UK public sector. I am sure that Sarah's enthusiasm and the experience she brings to us will help our children and young people to gain even more than they already do from the excellent opportunities our education service offers."