About Lawrence Montagu

Lawrence Montagu was born in Liverpool in 1946 the youngest of five children, having three brothers and a sister. He was educated at St. Edward’s College, Liverpool; where as a talented sportsman, he achieved notable success from an early age. Excelling in Rugby and Cricket he played for both first teams from the age of fifteen captaining the Cricket team and playing for Lancashire schools. He also had a Rugby trial for the North of England.

On leaving school, Lawrence trained as a teacher in Liverpool before entering the profession in 1968. His first post was at St. Joseph’s, Widnes where his leadership skills were quickly recognised. Two further posts followed, both in the North West. The first at De La Salle, Salford, where, as first fifteen Rugby coach, he coached the team to national honours and individual international success. The second was at Campion, St. Helen’s, where he became second deputy head.

With a commitment to Catholic education, the next move in 1979 was across the country to Norwich; where as deputy head of Notre Dame Convent, he oversaw the school’s transition from Girls’ Convent Grammar to mixed comprehensive – Notre Dame High School.

In 1984, aged thirty seven, Lawrence was appointed as Head of St. Peter’s RC High School in Gloucester – a place which was to become very dear to him and many others who experienced it. He guided and nurtured the School for more than twenty nine years.  His vision was unwavering – to provide the best quality education for all students and to inspire and enable them to become the best they could be.  Leading a team of dedicated professionals, working together with a common goal, the school developed as a leading Catholic school, rated outstanding and known nationally for being successful in many areas. His determination that students were entitled to the best quality of teaching resulted during the 1990’s in an innovative school-based teacher training scheme in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire. This saw St. Peter’s become the lead training school for aspiring teachers. This highly successful scheme has now been recognised nationally and replicated in other parts of the country.

Lawrence served on education committees, local and national, became one of the first School Consultant Leaders and his views and advice on education matters were often sought. Throughout the years, his energy and belief drove projects forward inspiring others to work with him to greater success. The whole community of St. Peter’s High School and the welfare of the students were at the heart of everything. He considered it a great privilege to work in such an outstanding school with talented young people and he worked tirelessly to ensure they received the very best all round education for life.

Lawrence was awarded an OBE for Services to Education in 2000. He received a Fellowship from the University of Gloucestershire in 1993 and an Honorary Doctorate for distinguished service as Head teacher and contribution to education both locally and nationally in 2012.