Sarah was born in Billericay, and raised in Basildon, Essex. She attended Chalvedon comprehensive school and completed her A Levels at Basildon College.
Sarah's grandparents on both sides were farmers and small holders, and her parents, were tenant farmers until their tenancy was ended and the land they farmed was taken from them to form part of what then became Basildon new town.
Sarah has been a life-long Conservative and has been a member of the Conservative party since she was a teenager. In her maiden speech on 17 March 2020 Sarah stated: "I am a Conservative by both nature and nurture. I was born into this tribe . . ." Sarah added that her mother canvassed with her in the pram and that she delivered her first Conservative party leaflet at the age of 8. Sarah's father served on Maldon Town Council and her mother was a Conservative councillor on Basildon District Council and was later elected to Maldon Town Council, Maldon District Council as well as an Essex County Councillor, serving as the cabinet member for health and social services.
"I am a living embodiment of Conservative policies. I am a working-class, council house-reared, comprehensive school-educated Conservative—a product of Margaret Thatcher’s blueprint for change. Her vision socially and economically enfranchised millions of individuals across our country, presenting them with opportunities unavailable to previous generations. I am one of those people. This country needs to continue to level up."
Sarah was chairman of the Basildon Young Conservatives. While at university she was chairman of the Brunel University Conservative Association and Secretary of the London Conservative Students. While at university she also worked as a parliamentary researcher for Sir George Gardiner MP. At the age of 21, Sarah was elected to Basildon District Council, serving from 1987-1991, and she contested the seat of Belfast East in 1997 General Election.
Sarah studied law at Brunel University from 1983-1987, and at the Inns of Court School of Law between 1987-88. She is a member of Lincoln's Inn and was called to the Bar in July 1988. She worked as a family law practitioner for over 30 years, latterly at 3 Paper Buildings in The Temple, London, dealing with divorce, including complex financial and business assets, care, adoption, international child law and child abduction and related issues.
"My thirty years of experience as a family lawyer has meant that I have dealt with many of the issues facing today’s society. I have represented many people with the assistance of Legal Aid. I am particularly interested in supporting young and vulnerable families and the elderly."
Sarah was elected as Member of Parliament for the Derbyshire Dales constituency in the 2019 General Election with 29, 356 votes, a majority of 17, 381. Sarah made her maiden speech on 17 March 2020.