Client Testimonials
"Laura’s support to the Coleridge Community College Local Governing Body over the past 18 months has been excellent. Her knowledge, professionalism, and attention to detail have been instrumental in ensuring effective and compliant governance. She goes above and beyond, providing clear advice and keeping the board informed and well-organised. I would highly recommend her to any school looking for high-quality governance support"
Jon Datta, Chair of the Local Governing Body, Coleridge Community College
"Laura has served as clerk to the Local Governing Body (LGB) at Trumpington Community College for the past couple of years and has been a tremendous asset. She is knowledgeable, approachable, professional, and consistently reliable. We work closely with our Headteacher to ensure that LGB meetings are well planned and efficiently run, and Laura’s contributions, including her accurate and timely minutes, have been invaluable. I particularly appreciate her insight and support, which I have come to value greatly. Recently, Laura played a key role in managing a successful local recruitment campaign, which has resulted in a more diverse and engaged group of governors. She is a pleasure to work with, and in my capacity as a professional leadership coach and Chair of the College, I highly recommend her”
Julian Stanley, Trumpington Community College (A United Learning Academy Trust Secondary School)
"Laura has been so professional and really raised the standard for meetings and decision making since I have been a governor. She has provided outstanding support and will leave an enormous gap to fill when she departs. I have learned so much from her. I cannot praise her highly enough. Thank you Laura for all that you have done".
Allan Whyte, Chair of Trustees at All Saints Inter-church Academy (Cambridgeshire)
"Laura has been instrumental in the establishment of a new way of governance for a group of 3 village primary schools within the Cam Academy Trust in Cambridgeshire. She worked closely with the Executive Head, Chair of the West Village Partnership and 3 Heads of School to amalgamate the local governing boards into a single body. Throughout the process Laura ensured that all governors were informed and that agendas and papers were circulated in a timely manner. We relied on her extensive knowledge, as a Governance Professional, to keep us on track and support the evolution of a new and exciting model of local governance"
Elizabeth Simpkin, Chair of the West Village Partnership Local Governing Body (CAM Academy Trust)
"Laura has made a huge difference to how we work and I am sure it will be very hard to replace her. Meetings to plan agendas are new to us and it has been very useful to have the time to plan in advance and identify what needs to be done. The minutes are well written and capture discussion and challenge effectively. Laura is very up to date with all the changes to governance and knows where to direct governors if they want further information"
Laura Latham, Headteacher at Bourn Primary Academy (Cambridgeshire)
"Laura is very supportive and incredibly knowledgeable. Laura is a real asset to our board and committees"
Michael Gale, Vice Chair of Governors at Muxton Primary School (Telford and Wrekin)
"It has been a pleasure to work with Laura this year and I am looking forward to an even more successful year next year, now that we have a good board of governors and I am clearer about my role. Laura links well with new governors to ensure that they access useful materials when considering becoming a governor and then she ensures that they have access to the mandated training for board members. Laura always responds to emails promptly and is also easily accessible on the phone. She can either answer questions there and then, or if not within a short timescale"
Sue Simmons, Chair of Governors at Templefield Lower School (Bedfordshire)
"Laura has made a real difference to the effectiveness of the board and provided great support to me personally as Chair of Trustees. Laura has been a great support with legal, constitutional and procedural matters. Board minutes are clear and questions and decisions are noted with the context and/or response. I’ve found our half-termly planning meetings very useful and Laura's briefings are also very helpful. Please keep them coming!"
Vince Chaney, Chair of Trustees at Bourn Primary Academy (Cambridgeshire)
"I thoroughly enjoy working with Laura and feel that we work together well in a positive manner to achieve our common goals. Meeting information is always provided in a comprehensive and timely manner. Laura provides comprehensive and strong knowledge of the board's dutiful requirements and is readily available to respond to requests for information in a timely manner"
Antonia Dorsey, Chair of Trustees at Blessed Peter Snow Academy Trust (Yorkshire)
"I’m very happy with Laura’s support and engagement over the past 9 months. I feel that governance has improved significantly as a result of Laura’s collaborative working with the headteacher, myself and the rest of the board. Laura has supported us as required both with the routine activities and the special needs when they’ve arisen. I’m also confident that as new situations arise, Laura will be able to support with clear and accurate guidance. Hybrid working is also working fine to date"
Steve Baker, Chair of Governors at Washingborough Academy (Lincolnshire)
"Laura is an extremely professional and approachable Governance Professional. She is an asset to our Trust and provides up to date information, support for the Board, LGB’s and Trust staff as well as ensuring all statutory matters are handled in a timely manner. Laura’s long standing expertise in Governance and legislation offer the Trust accurate information as well as ensuring we are meeting all areas required. Laura works hard to ensure documents are readily available as well as sourcing information as and when we request it. Laura is a pleasure to work with "
Rachel Mason, Chief Operating Officer at Aspire Learning Trust (Cambridgeshire)
"Thank you Laura, your calm efficiency has been an enormous asset to the Governing Board this year. I have great confidence that our processes are compliant in areas where we needed to improve our actions and procedures"
Claudia Wade, Chair of Governors at Kings Oak Primary School (Bedfordshire Borough)
“Laura has exceptional knowledge of Single Academy Trust and statutory education frameworks, ranging from governor protocols to details of financial procedure. She has provided high quality and trustworthy support for the Board and myself as Head teacher. Laura is always on hand to support the school; is hardworking and responds promptly. I wholeheartedly recommend Laura’s expertise and service”
Colette Lamb, Headteacher at Toddington St George CofE Academy (Central Bedfordshire)
"Laura’s clerking expertise has revolutionised governance in our school. She is highly competent and knowledgeable in all areas of her work. Laura manages her workload conscientiously and sends timely reminders to keep us compliant, she rises to the difficult task of managing meetings with ease. Her response times are excellent both in terms of responding to queries and producing minutes. In addition to being the consummate professional Laura is absolutely delightful to work with"
Carol Little, School Business Manager at Muxton Primary School (Shropshire)
"Since becoming a trustee of a MAT, I have always found Laura to be highly professional, supportive and approachable. She has always been willing to go the extra mile to ensure I had all the support and information I needed to be a Trustee. Laura always responds quickly to me when I need anything, either by phone, text or email. Laura's provides invaluable support when setting agendas to ensure all statutory issues are covered at the appropriate time. Her summary newsletter is exceptionally helpful"
Joy Bradley, Chair of Trustees, Aspire Learning Trust (Cambridgeshire)
"In the space of 18 months, Laura has revolutionised clerking for the governing body at Lister Community School. We have developed from a largely paper-based system to one managed entirely through GoogleDocs - with materials provided in an organised and timely manner. Through COVID-19 this has enabled remote, hybrid or in person meetings as circumstances have allowed. Not only has the GB continued to function efficiently, but we have achieved a great deal in terms of governance in this period, including full academisation, appointment of a new Headteacher and major building projects, all of which have required significant administrative support and record-keeping. In a large Newham secondary, there is never a dull moment, but Laura has coped calmly and professionally with short-notice demands that have arisen”
Neil Beighton, Vice Chair of Governors at Lister Community School (London)
“Laura’s minutes are accurate and professional. In conjunction with our School Business Manager, Laura ensures that the board are aware of statutory policies to be reviewed. Meeting papers are circulated in a timely manner and professional reminders are sent. Laura’s recent provision of governor induction and training to our new governor was a seamless process”
Dr Jason O’Rourke, Headteacher at Washingborough Academy (Lincolnshire)
"As the CEO of a Multi Academy Trust to which Laura is Clerk I can wholeheartedly recommend her. Laura's work is characterised by high levels of skill, outstanding knowledge and excellent interpersonal skills. She is very good at forward planning and managing meetings so that they have productive outcomes. I have really appreciated the guidance and advice which Laura has provided on numerous occasions. Her detailed knowledge of governance alongside sector legal requirements is a terrific asset. Laura manages workload very efficiently and ensures all tasks are completely promptly and on time. She has been a pleasure to work with"
Dr Duncan Ramsey, CEO of Aspire Learning Trust (Cambridgeshire)
"I am a governor and Trustee across a number of schools and is it rare to find someone with Laura’s thorough understanding of the responsibilities of school and trust governance, ensuring that trustees are fully informed and well supported in carrying out their responsibilities. Laura is always very well organised and her forward planning is excellent. She is always a step ahead of our busy CEO, ensuring that deadlines are not missed and agendas are constructed in a timely manner. I have found that the minutes of meetings that Laura has clerked are always accurate – she gets the level of detail just right so that the key discussion points and decisions are not lost in a forest of words! Any board fortunate enough to employ Laura is in very safe and professional hands"
Sarah Dignasse, Educational Consultant (Sarah Dignasee Ltd) and former Headteacher
"When Laura joined the team, our Trust’s governance and compliance services were being reviewed, and new ways of working were being introduced. Laura was very understanding of the position, and worked with us to design and embed new systems, leading to a significantly streamlined meeting and administrative support service. As we have worked together, Laura has continued to offer an added value service - ensuring that all elements of her SLA are offered to both the Trust Board and to the LGBs. It has been a pleasure working with Laura to develop and refine Trust governance, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services”
Joy Parker, Head of Governance at Newham Community Schools Trust (London)
"Laura is always highly professional and has an incredible depth of knowledge that is invaluable for any governing board. Laura is always very responsive and available. Laura is also proactive in anticipating issues; she will be highly missed as clerk"
Henry Cross, Chair of Trustees (and Member), Toddington St George CofE Primary Academy (Central Bedfordshire)
"Laura is the first real governance professional I have worked with in my 6 years as Chair of a transforming primary school. Had she been there at the outset, the process would have been far less chaotic, stressful and time consuming. Her efficiency, knowledge and organisational skills, plus experience across a range of governance structures makes her an asset to any board.
Russell Gray, Chair of Governors at Gamlingay Village Primary (Cambridgeshire)
"Laura really is the glue that stops us falling off the page. She is always so approachable and knowledgeable - I go to her for everything. Laura's support to myself as a new Chair has been invaluable and I only hope that Laura can continue to work with us once face to face meetings resume"
Naomi Phelan, Chair of Governors at Toddington St George C of E School (Bedfordshire)
"Laura served as Clerk to our board of Governors during a time of transition. Over the 2.5 years we worked with Laura, she brought efficiency and knowledge which allowed us to be more professional and effective in our meetings, and to help us facilitate process improvements"
Paresh Desai, Chair of Governors at Heritage Park Primary School (Peterborough)
"Laura was our Clerk on two separate periods between 2009 and 2020. Both times she provided a service that was exemplary, and her guidance ensured that we as a Governing Body acted within the framework of regulations. Laura always made sure that papers were made available in time for the Governors to prepare for meetings. Minutes were an accurate record of meetings and she will be missed as our Clerk"
Ted Harrison, Vice Chair at Hampton Hargate Primary School (Peterborough)
"Laura has provided professional support to 3 of the LGBs I have been associated with over the 5 years I have known her. She ensures that we meet all of our statutory duties and operate within legal frameworks. As chair I would not hesitate to approach her for advice when dealing with a confidential matter knowing that she would provide accurate advice and guidance in confidence"
Jenny Farnham, Chair of Governors at Ormiston Bushfield Academy & St Michael's Church School (Peterborough)
"Laura, your support has been exceptional over the years. You have been professional throughout supporting us, offering advice and support in Ofsted, recruitment of Head teacher and changes in Chairs of the Board”
Clare Murphy-Snape, Co-chair of Governors at Toddington St George CofE School
“I worked with Laura when I was completing an external review of governance. She has excellent knowledge of the legal structures of both MATs and stand-alone schools. Laura is also very well-organised and was able to organise meetings of a range of staff very quickly and efficiently. I would strongly recommend Laura to MATs, individual academies and maintained schools”
Paul Ainsworth, Author (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc) & Improvement Director at Infinity Academies Trust (Lincolnshire)
"Laura was appointed as Company Secretary, Clerk to the Trustees and Clerk to the Members of Aspire Learning Trust in December 2018 and has always performed the roles with enthusiasm and efficiency using her skills, knowledge and experience to guide and assist the Members and Trustees in their roles and responsibilities. She has been a great help to our CEO and myself as Chair of the Board of Trustees in carrying out our roles and always shows integrity and professionalism in all that she does"
John King, Chair of Board of Trustees at Aspire Learning Trust (Cambridgeshire)
"I am a National Leader of Governance and have worked with quite a few clerks over a long period of time. Laura is a highly competent clerk, managing not only the agenda and minutes effectively but also anticipates issues and I can rely on her to ensure that the Governing Body is compliant and up to date with legal and procedural matters. In addition to the normal round of Governing Body meetings she manages with the same high level of efficiency specialist hearings and is always sensitive and professional when dealing with confidential issues".
Richard Williams, National Leader of Governance & CEO at Blessed Peter Snow Academy Trust (Yorkshire)
"Laura is an experienced clerk to the governors at our school. She has been in post for almost a decade and has a depth of knowledge and experience that is second to none. The fact that she acts as a clerk to other governing bodies enables her to share the good practices and experiences of other schools with us, to assist the governing body with its key roles"
David Farrelly, Chair of Governors, Leighton Primary School (Peterborough)
"Laura has been my Clerk for 3 and a half years and is very knowledgeable, professional and reliable in all aspects of her job. I can always rely on her to take initiative and ensure that tasks are carried out within the correct timescales".
Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser for SACRE, Cambridgeshire
"I have worked with Laura for 6 years across 3 different Governing Bodies and governors rely on her guidance and expertise immensely. Laura is a very experienced and professional clerk and has dealt with challenging and complex matters with professionalism and integrity. I know Laura is only ever a phone call away if I need an answer to anything - and having an Accredited Clerk on board is always that bit more reassuring".
Greg Hines, Chair of Resources Committee at Hampton Vale Primary Academy and Local Governor at Ormiston Bushfield Academy (Peterborough)
"Laura was my Clerk when I became a new Chair of Governors and her knowledge and constant support was invaluable to me being able to fulfil my role to a high standard. She was a real asset to the team and I’m not sure what we’d have done with her".
Alexa Hillier, Former Chair of Governors at Hampton Vale Primary Academy (Peterborough)
"We were lucky to have an Accredited Clerk for 6 years and could always rely on Laura to ensure we were compliant. Laura provided us with essential guidance and advice. This was always done with professionalism. Laura has a great sense of humour and combined with all her skills and knowledge, is fantastic to work with"
Helen Roberts, School Business Manager at Bishop Creighton Academy (Peterborough)