Geoff Laurence (staff 1978-2008) died suddenly in April, 2025, aged 74. A pupil at Batley GS, he took a maths. degree at New College, Oxford, and after spending five years at John Lyon School, joined King’s in 1978. He was an outstanding member of the Maths. Department, teaching the subject throughout the school, and was very highly respected by both pupils and staff. But that was by no means Geoff’s only contribution at King’s. He was an old-fashioned all-round schoolmaster, and his roles running a thriving school chess club, as well as forming an outstanding partnership for many years with Alan McInnes running the U13 school cricket team, equally brought him high regard among several generations of pupils.

Geoff was also active in the town, being an absolutely stalwart member of its chess club for 45 years – not to mention winner of its annual cup 13 times! He was also in many ways instrumental in ensuring that Maxonians Cricket Club survived as long as it did ; he not only played, but also did most of the off-field grafting jobs that are necessary for such a club to exist. The fact that he did this, as well as staying at King’s for 30 years when his first intention had been to stay for five, says everything about Geoff and his place in King’s role of honour.