Committee Chair - Thomas Bennison

I’ve worked as a teacher since 2013 and have long term experience of both school senior leadership and wider system leadership. I’m currently teaching A-Levels at Bilborough and also do some work for East Midlands West Maths Hub and exam boards. 

I have two daughters at St Laurence and have been a Local Trust Committee member since 2024. I’m proud to work with other members of the LTC in supporting the school and thoroughly enjoy visiting the school to see the excellent work going on throughout the building. 

Clerk - Vacancy

Foundation Ex-Officio - Father Max Marsh

I am a recent arrival in Long Eaton coming from my last church in Lewisham where I also served as a governor at my previous parish's church school. It is a great privilege to be able to support such a wonderful school and also lead worship with the pupils and staff.

I am the Priest-in-Charge of St Laurence's Church, Long Eaton and also Holy Trinity, Ilkeston. During my previous ministry, I was the lead for our emerging children's and youth ministry following the Covid-19 pandemic. During my time in this role I especially enjoyed taking our young people camping in Norfolk and getting to know their needs and ideas of how the Church could best serve them. 

Before ordination I studied Drama and Performance at university where I met my wife Hannah and then during training for the priesthood, completed a degree in Theology. I also worked at a number of Churches including Saint Albans Cathedral where I regularly worked with visiting schools in the Education Centre. In 2024, Hannah and I welcomed our first child, Cecilia. In my free time I enjoy attending live music events and the occasional wrestling show!"

Alistair Langton - Vice Chair

I have been a governor since February 2015, although I have enjoyed being a governor at other local schools in the past.  The role involves supporting staff and volunteers as they work with pupils in this wonderful church school, this is a privilege.

I trained as a teacher and taught for many years in a church school in Nottingham, but am now a qualified youth worker and safeguarding trainer, I also volunteer at St Laurence’s open youth club as often as I can.  Hobbies include following Nottingham Forest and on a happier note I am actively involved in amateur dramatics with Long Eaton Operatic Society and The Arcade Players.

Staff - Peter Hallam

I joined the school in 2017 after moving from a different school in DDAT to become Assistant Headteacher at St Laurence. I have taught across the school in my time here and have been on the governing body since joining. In 2025, I became Deputy Headteacher. 

I am very proud of the school and thoroughly enjoy being part of our community. I am passionate about sport and lead PE across the school. I enjoy taking children to a range of sports festivals and competitions and have forged a strong relationship with the Erewash School Sports Partnership. I also lead Maths and Computing at school and I am responsible for our Pupil Premium students. 

Outside of school I enjoy reading, particularly about history - the subject that I studied at university. I also love to watch and play sport and spend time with my daughters and my wider family. 

Headteacher - Karin Shields

I have worked at St Laurence School since 2012. I started as an EYFS and Y1 teacher before moving to the juniors and then becoming Designated Safeguarding Lead. I became Head of School in 2023 and then Headteacher in 2025. I am very proud of the school that we have become over the past 13 years and it has been rewarding to see the progress we have all made. I trained at Nottingham Trent University as a mature student after working as a cashier and personal banker at Barclays Bank.

I was born and brought up in Long Eaton and I now have two boys of my own who are at primary school, which has given me a new insight into the views of the parents of our school.

In my spare time I enjoy reading and creating various knitted blankets, which are beginning to take over the house! I also enjoy musical theatre - I left my performing days behind me at Wilsthorpe Secondary School - but now prefer to go and see shows around the country and even in New York.

Parent  - Mariam Ademola

Parent  - Kathryn Addis

I became a parent LTC member in March 2026 and have two children currently enrolled at the school. I grew up in Worcestershire as the daughter of two teachers, my dad was a primary school headteacher and my mom worked in a specialist school for SEND children who were unable to access mainstream education. I learnt a lot from them about the benefits of children having access to a good education that is appropriate to their needs. I also saw first hand the pressures faced by those trying to implement that.

I have a first class BA Hons in Drama Studies and won a scholarship from my university to continue with my studies and pursue a MA in Shakespeare in Performance. I continue to try and get to the theatre on a fairly regular basis and feel very passionately about everyone having access to the arts. I’ve spent my working life predominantly in administrative and customer service roles across a range of sectors including charity, education, theatre and retail. I currently work as an administrator for a training institute alongside other voluntary roles.

I currently co-lead the Godly Play children’s group at St. John’s Church, Long Eaton and am passionate about childhood spirituality. As part of that role I have helped deliver stories and activities to children visiting from local primary schools. I love history, particularly the Tudors, and enjoy a range of hobbies including dressmaking, reading, yoga and gardening.

Both my children have had a good experience at the school and I’m excited to take up this new role with the hope that I can give something back. I will endeavour to support the school to do the best it can to deliver a high-quality education for all children, regardless of background, and to create an environment in which they can thrive.

Chair of Trustees - Sarah Charles