Committee Chair - Thomas Bennison

Clerk - Thelma Egboro

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!"

Malc Hetherington 

I am proud to have served as a governor for St Laurence since 2017. Previously I have served as a governor at 4 different schools in the last 15 years and am  passionate about governance, especially in church schools. It is an honour to see the tremendous amount of hard work and commitment from all staff in their efforts to make St Laurence as good as it can be.

Away from St. Laurence, I am a headteacher at an inner city primary school in Derby. I am married, have 3 children to fill my spare time and enjoy watching and playing Football, with Newcastle United being my team. My primary passion is music and it is my life’s work to ensure I own as many records and CDs as it is possible to fit in my spare room.

Alistair Langton

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  - Vacancy

Parent  - Vacancy

Trust Member - Leona McKenzie

Leona McKenzie possesses over 15 years of experience in the children’s social care sector, spanning statutory, private, and voluntary organisations. Her career has predominantly involved management positions across diverse services for children, young people, and families. These services include interventions for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, community-based parenting assessments, supervised child contact, respite and short breaks for young carers, inclusive activities and advocacy for disabled children, early help and intensive family support, and fostering.

Prior to becoming self-employed in 2018, Leona worked as a Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Manager with an Independent Fostering Agency. She was responsible for overseeing three regions, providing guidance to Registered Managers, and disseminating best practices to Supervising Social Workers to facilitate adherence to the Fostering Service Regulations (2011) and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services.

Leona’s professional background includes extensive experience in the education sector, where she worked as a practitioner, before advancing into management within children’s social care. 

Currently, Leona is appointed as a Responsible Individual, for two private residential family assessment centres, and as an Independent Regulation 44 Visitor for a children’s home. She works as a Panel Chair for an Independent Fostering Agency. Leona holds a position as a Local Academy Committee Member (Governor) at a primary school within the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust. She investigates Stage 2 Children’s Social Care Complaints, and/or chairs Stage 3 Children’s Social Care Complaint Review Panels, for two Local Authorities. Leona provides independent support, advice, mediation, and advocacy to foster carers who are subject to a complaint, concern, or allegation on behalf of a fostering charity too.