About Laura
Laura is a Legal Director in the Education team and works within the School Support Service specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disability. Laura also advises on a range of Education matters.
Laura qualified as a solicitor in 2005, specialising in Commercial Real Estate and Real Estate Finance before training as a primary school teacher in 2009. Laura taught in both the maintained and independent sector before moving into the Special Educational Needs service for two local authorities in South West London.
Recent Experience
- Acting for schools and multi academy trusts in disability discrimination claims
- Advising schools and governing bodies on admissions and exclusions
- Advising schools in relation to equality and discrimination issues
- Advising schools on complaints policies and procedures
- Reviewing and advising schools on their policies and procedures
- Advising schools on data protection issues
- Advising schools on safeguarding matters
- Delivering training sessions for schools and local authority staff on SEND legislation and process
Professional Memberships
- Law Society of England and Wales
Career Experience
July 2021 to present: Legal Director, Winckworth Sherwood
April 2020 to July 2021: Senior Associate, Winckworth Sherwood
June 2019 to April 2020: Associate, Winckworth Sherwood
2016 - 2019: Deputy SEND Service Manager & Tribunals Manager, Achieving for Children (provider of Children’s Services for Kingston and Richmond)
2010 - 2016: Teacher, Royal Borough of Kingston and London Borough of Wandsworth
2008 - 2009: Solicitor, Devonshires
2005 - 2008: Solicitor, McGrigors LLP
2003 - 2005: Trainee Solicitor, DLA Piper
1998 - 2002: Human Resources Officer roles in the private and public sectors