Laurence has 35 years of teaching experience with 20 years in leadership roles. Although initially trained as an art teacher he has never taught it, Laurence chose to be among the first cohort of CDT teachers where he developed a commitment for pupil centred learning and an interest in computing and electronics. In the latter half of his career Laurence moved into ICT and computing and gained experience in the implementation of IT in schools. He was a Director of ICT during the Becta ICT Test Bed project and the first Director of ICT at The City of London Academy. More recently Laurence oversaw the implementation of IT for an Ormiston Academies Trust new build school where he explored some innovative themes.
Laurence has now left teaching and continues to promote outstanding use of IT as freelance consultant under the name of LBo. This year he has supported a number of MATs and has worked alongside some well known providers. Laurence retains a vision of how IT could further support schools, both as a means to provide pupils with valuable and memorable experiences, and as a tool to ease the workload of teachers. More recently he has developed teaching resources for te BBC micro:bit and Office 365 CPD packages. Laurence has a strong following on LinkedIn where he publishes regular articles on contemporary issues concerning the use of educational technology.
Laurence joined the NAACE Board of Management in 2018 as a response to the obvious need to reform. As a long-time member of NAACE Laurence would like to see NAACE regain its position of National Authority at time when guidance and support for schools is scarce or inconsistent.
Laurence’s first -degree is in Sculpture which he studied at Winchester School of Art. Laurence obtained a PGCE in Art and Design Education at Reading University and obtained a Masters Degree in Science and Technology Education at the University of Southampton.