Alumni stories - Sarah Claydon

Sarah Claydon (née Scott) was at Hills Road from 1999 – 2001 and studied English Literature, Geography and Theatre Studies.

“I’d always felt that university was what everyone did but I’m a practical person and have never been very academic.  University didn’t feel the right fit, for me, after Hills Road. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something I might decide was not for me after all.  I worked during a gap year and I decided to start working in theatre instead of accruing debts studying it.  I did lighting, sound and staging for events but being indoors all the time was hard. I love the outdoors and was inspired to train as a gardener.

I spent two years working towards an HND in horticulture which was greatly supported by my Geography A-level. Trinity Hall Cambridge, took me on as a newly qualified gardener. I had a great time learning to put theory into practice alongside project management and department administration. I moved to Trinity College Cambridge to be Deputy Head Gardener for 11 years. It was a period of great change, professionally and personally, and a massive challenge.

In 2021 I was appointed the first woman Head Gardener at Pembroke College Cambridge. The College is often described as having a green heart and is a little oasis of calm in the city centre. When I took over, the impact of limited resources during the 2020 Covid pandemic meant the gardens were tired. We quickly started a plan to renovate each area and introduced more sustainable horticultural practices. Today, the gardens are once again full of colour, scent and wildlife all year round and a haven from the world outside. I have an incredibly talented and driven team and they share my passion for horticulture – this has made coming to work an absolute joy."