Sara Annie Burstall (2 November 1859 – 26 March 1939) was a Scottish born writer on education and the second headmistress of the Manchester High School for Girls.

[1][2] In 1886, one of her tutors, Donald MacAlister, wrote: "I had the privilege of teaching Miss Sara A. Burstall during several terms of her residence in Girton College and have a very clear remembrance of the excellent qualities she showed as a student of mathematics.

She possessed an unwearying power of work, a very keen appreciation of the refinements of the subject and a high enthusiasm for its study.

These qualities of industry, intelligence and enthusiasm will, I am sure, stand her in good stead should she be called, as I hope she may be, to take on the responsible position of headmistress.

The girls of lower ability were steered away from academic ambition and towards newly introduced domestic subjects.

Burstall defended this approach as a way to attract more pupils and give access to girls who might otherwise be denied schooling[6] – but it has been considered by some a step backwards from the partial educational equality that had been achieved.