Sheila was born locally and went, as a Day Pupil, to Cheadle Hulme School starting off in the Junior School. When her father died during the Second World War, she became a boarder. During her time at CHS Sheila was active in much of school life - she was involved in drama and music productions, and played numerous sports. She was also instrumental in persuading the school to hold Sports' Days for the girls, not just for the boys, as had been the case previously. Sheila was awarded the coveted John Ryland's prize of a gold watch for "her good conduct and general proficiency in School work”; the highest honour.
After leaving school Sheila went to secretarial college and then went on to be the secretary for Christopher Simon who was part of the distinguished local engineering company, Henry Simon's. This is the same Christopher Simon who was a Governor of the School and after whom the building is named.
Sheila has also dedicated much time to Old Wacs. She became a Committee member of the Old Girls' Association upon leaving school and later on the joint association (when the boys and girls division merged in 1953). She went on to become Joint Chairman, then Vice-President and in 1996 was made the President, retiring in 2015.
