Mrs S Cole

As Designated Safeguarding Lead, I have lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection at Millthorpe, working alongside all staff in school to ensure that they are supported to carry out their duties in relation to safeguarding. I work closely with outside agencies to ensure that support can be put in place outside of school as well as in school.

I am also the school’s Senior Mental Health Lead, which includes having oversight of the whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. In addition, I am the Lead for Young Carers in school, ensuring that our Young Carers are supported in school and have the best opportunity to achieve and succeed. I feel passionate that all students should have an equal opportunity to succeed no matter what life may have thrown their way, and I am an advocate for these young people.

The students and staff are most definitely the reason I come to work. Our school is such a great community and you can feel the warmth as soon as you enter the building. The relationships we build with students are based on mutual respect for each other. There really is no place like Millthorpe and I have said that from the day I started and still share that feeling now. Our staff body is a true team and so welcoming.

I started at Millthorpe in 2016 as part of the Pastoral Team and moved into the Safeguarding Team in 2021. Prior to this I worked in Leeds for the Probation Service and latterly the Youth Offending Service. I have been very fortunate to have always enjoyed the jobs I have done.

Outside of work I enjoy running and keeping fit. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to run in numerous races including the London Marathon in 2024 (which was genuinely one of the best days of my life) and I have a place in the Great North Run in 2025. If I am not out running, I enjoy spending any free time with my friends and family who would definitely describe me as a “social butterfly”!

My motto during tough times is “every day is a day closer to it getting better.”