Chief Executive of Nasen Interview
One of the UK’s leading specialists in special needs education has been sharing her knowledge and experiences with students at the University of Worcester.
Lorraine Peterson, OBE, is the chief executive of nasen, which promotes the education and development of all those with special and additional support needs.
Mrs Peterson addressed a group of trainee teachers at the University and spoke to them about special educational needs (SEN) policies and how to put them into practice in schools.
“It’s only in the last couple of years that students on initial teacher training courses have been taught about SEN,” she said.
“The University of Worcester is also one of only a few universities that sends students to special schools on placements..jpg)
“I am trying to raise awareness of SEN training and its importance. Twenty per cent of children now have some form of SEN and it is important that the teachers we are training are equipped to deal with this.”
Prior to Mrs Peterson’s appointment as CEO of Nasen in September 2004, she held a number of teaching posts within mainstream schools in Sandwell, West Midlands. She has many years’ experience of working with pupils with an array of special and additional needs within mainstream settings. She also has hands-on experience of the issues relating to caring for and educating children with special and additional educational needs.
Mrs Peterson said: “Teachers need the confidence and expertise to know how to cope with a child with an SEN in a class full of pupils. The more you can prepare them during their training, the better.”
Mrs Peterson’s visit was organised by Rachel Barrell in the University’s Centre for Primary Initial Teacher Education.
“Lorraine is a high profile figure in SEN and we are delighted that she was able to come and speak to our students,” she said. “We are really keen to increase our SEN provision here at the University of Worcester.”