Get to know our friendly Office Team, who help make sure everything runs smoothly at Laidlaw Education.
Sue laidlaw, founder
Before setting up Laidlaw Education, in 1992, Sue spent ten years teaching in both the state and the independent sector, culminating in several significant senior management roles. She remains as passionate about supporting children and young people now as she did at the beginning of her career and continues to head the Laidlaw Education LLP team.
She is Director of Education for the Junior Tennis Foundation and has also been Education Director for FC** Tennis Academy at Dukes Meadows. She was an education consultant for the Archant Good Schools Show, in addition to writing articles for a number of educational magazines.
Sue is also the Founder and chairs the Board of Trustees of the registered charity, Sponsorstars, whose aim is to help change disadvantaged children’s life chances and educational attainment through direct sponsorship in the United Kingdom.
Sue was a “Sheen Mount mum” for fifteen consecutive years before her three daughters moved on to independent Senior Schools. Sue and Robin are currently in their seventeenth year of nineteen university years for their children.
Besides enjoying family life, her hobbies include an enthusiasm for opera, ballet, film and literature. She loves visiting art galleries, constantly tries to follow a better exercise regime and has a long ‘to do’ list of hobbies and interests to pursue more fully in the future.
francesca micheli, operations manager
Francesca Micheli, Operations Manager
In 2003, Francesca moved from Rome, Italy, where she worked for the presidential department and events of the Italian Tennis Federation to start a new chapter with her husband and newborn daughter.
Whilst bringing up her three daughters, Francesca qualified to teach Italian as a foreign language (CLTA) and worked as a private Italian tutor.
Francesca met Sue Laidlaw when she applied for a part-time position for registered charity Sponsorstars, of which Sue is Founder and chairs the board of Trustees. Following this role, Francesca began working on the administration team at Laidlaw Education in 2017, initially on a part-time basis and evolving into her current (very!) full-time role.
Francesca’s daughters attended local state schools.
In her free time, Francesca enjoys Pilates, reading into late hours, and soaking up the sunshine, so she finds herself travelling back to Italy as much as possible, during the half term breaks, to get her fill!
susan wharton, finance manager
Susan oversees financial management at Laidlaw Education, bringing clarity, rigour and calm to all things finance-related.
A graduate of Exeter University, Susan trained as a Chartered Accountant with PwC, where she spent 15 years before taking a career break to raise her four children. She and Sue first met over 20 years ago at antenatal classes, and what started as a few hours’ work each week has now become a long-standing and valued role - currently in its sixteenth year.
Although not an educationalist by training, Susan has extensive parental experience of the secondary school transition, having supported all four of her children from state primary into independent secondary schools with the help of Laidlaw Education.
Outside work, as the nest gradually empties, Susan is rediscovering her love of theatre, reading and cooking—now with fewer complaints about what’s (not) in the fridge.
luke mcclure, learning co-ordinator
Luke grew up and attended school in England. He then moved to South Africa for 15 years, where he studied English and Classics at the University of Cape Town before studying for his PGCE. He held various positions in several schools in Cape Town including Head of English at Rustenburg Girls' Junior School.
Luke moved back to London in 2019 and was appointed Head of English at Falcons School for Girls before coming to Laidlaw Education in 2022 as part of the teaching and office team.
Aside from teaching, Luke’s passions include reading, golf, dog walks and pub quizzes. He recently became a father to a baby girl and is an expert in changing nappies and not sleeping.
SJ lawrence, after school manager
SJ has taught in a range of secondary schools, from a highly sought after grammar school to a demanding inner city academy. She has had various management roles, including Head of Department, before starting at Laidlaw in 2008 where she worked for nine years. During this time she taught both primary and secondary, daytime, after school, Saturdays and holiday courses – all with a dedicated commitment and belief in how spending that focused time really can aid your child’s growth.
As a parent she attempted to tutor her own daughter for her entrance exams, only to realise that despite all the pupils she’d tutored nothing is harder than trying to teach your own child!
She has now returned to Laidlaw to join the Office Team.
Mildly obsessed with the Classics (both ancient Greek and literary) she is a keen gardener and slave to two cats.
lucy burrows-smith, administrative assistant
Lucy has a longstanding commitment to helping young people thrive - typically outside the classroom. She spent over 13 years working with volunteers in youth charities, including The Scout Association, Raleigh International and NCS with The Challenge, across roles in marketing, recruitment, training and transformation.
With her two young children are now at a local school, Lucy was bring her experience into the education sector with Laidlaw Education.
Outside work, Lucy enjoys playing tennis, tackling DIY projects and making the most of the outdoors.