Mrs Emma Small

Chair of Governors

I joined the governing body in 2017 and became Chair of Governors in January 2018.

I have worked in education teaching at primary, secondary and further education levels. I am no longer teaching as I am a full time foster carer/ part tme farm administrator.

Over the years I have been invloved with St. Laurence's first as a mum (3 of my 4 children attended the school) and more recently several of my foster placements have also been educated here.

Business Interest: None

Other establishments governed:

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body:

Appointed until: 05/01/2021

  Mrs Jane Laraman

Vice Chair

Foundation / Trust Governor

In 1995, I became a Foundation Governor at St Laurence C of E Primary School, having been nominated by Brian Curnew, the former Rector of Ludlow.

Foundation Governors are appointed by the Hereford Diocesan Board of Education for a 4 year peroid of time. To date, I have been re-appointed after each term of office and I am currently Vice Chair of the School Governing Body. I am also a member of the Ludlow(Schools) Crosstown Federation Joint Strategic Committee. All Governing Body roles are carried out in a voluntary capacity.

Career background: After qualifying as a primary school teacher in 1977 and before retiring in 2011, I continously worked in the field of Education and Child Care, predominantly in the Early Years Sector. I worked for Hereford and Worcester County Council, Herefordshire Council and the Civil Service, in a range of full time and part time roles.

My Husband and I have 3 daughters, all of whom attended the school. During their time there, we were both actively involved in various PTA roles ( the PTA is now known as the 'Friends of St Laurence'). I also ran the 'Ludlow Rotary Junior Community Scheme' for the school between 2004 - 2013.

Although passionate about Early Years Education and beyond, my personal hobbies and interests include reading, listening to music, meeting friends, going to the theatre or cinema, cooking and ..... Zumba dancing!!!

Business interest: None

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 18/01/2019

  Mrs Nicola Twiddy

Parent Governor

I am Nicola, I have been a parent governor at the school since 2012. I am a professional child minder and have six children. I enjoy coming in to school regularly to listen to the children read. 

Business interest: Local childminder

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 23/07/2020

 Mr Kim Stillwell

Mrs Olivia Stephens

 Parent Governor

I was elected as a parent governor at the beginning of 2017. My two sons have, and one still does attend St. Laurence's.

Over the last four or five years I have enjoyed playing a key role in the Friends of St. Laurence's School.

I have a BSC in Management Sciences from Lancaster University and am really enjoying the new challenge which being a school governor gives me.

Business interest: None

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 30/11/2020

Mr Dave Driscoll

Co-opted Governor

I was co-opted onto the governing body in June 2017.

I have worked in education all my life, as a teacher and then as a local authority advisor. In 1989 I co-founded an education consultancy which was one of the first in the country and I remain its senior partner. I provide advice and guidance to schools, colleges and national bodies across the UK and further afield. I qualified as an OFSTED inspector in 1993 and became a lead inspector in 1997. I trained new nspectors and quality assured the work of other inspectors, including HMI. when I finished inspecting in 2016. I was one of the most experienced lead inspectors in the country.

I noew feel that it is time to give somethng back and I feeel honoured to have been asked by St. Laurence's to join their governing body.

In my spare time I am a passionate jive bunny and still play football each week, although the opposition apears to be getting younger !

Business interest: Owner of education consultancy. Advises other local schools

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/ members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 17/07/2020

Mrs Avril DiPalma

Co-opted Governor

I am delighted to have been asked to sit on the board of governors for St. Laurence's C of E Primary School, with particular responsibility for finance. I have spent many years living in Cambridgeshire where I worked at Overhills Primary School and in which I led the implemenation of the first ever IT suite in a primary school for that county. 

I have run my own business for over 35 years and for the past 20 years I have also been the administrative secretary for the British Pyrotechnics Association. This is the trade association representing professional firework display compainies. I have sat on the EU committees for standardisation of pyrotechnic articles and for may years have been adjudicator at the British Fireworks Championships, a post I stll hold. This makes me responsible for all aspects of the competition including the H & S of the event.

I have a daughter who went through school classified as gifted and talented (as a Uk gymnast). I have a good understanding of how schools operate and an excellent background in finance and am looking forward to supporting the school.

Business interest: None

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 09/01/2020

Mrs Kate Gilford

Staff Governor

Business interest: None

Other establishments governed: None

Relationships with staff/members of the governing body: None

Appointed until: 03/09/2020

Mr Stephen Matthews

Head Teacher Governor

Governors leaving in the last year

Richard Duck

Former Chair of Governors  until 09/01/2018