CEO of UK's leading special educational needs association is honoured by Her Majesty

Lorraine Petersen, CEO of nasen, the leading UK association for special educational needs, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for her many years’ work with children and education.

 

A former teacher and head teacher with over 25 years’ experience in education, Lorraine has hands-on experience of working with pupils with an array of additional and special educational needs (SEN) in both mainstream and specialist settings. Lorraine joined nasen in 1995 as a volunteer, progressing through positions such as general assembly representative, national treasurer and trustee, before being appointed to CEO in 2004.

 

Hardip Begol, deputy director of Special Educational Needs at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), comments "Lorraine Petersen has demonstrated excellent leadership in recognising the need to raise the status of the SEN Co-ordinator in schools and the challenges this brings to her members and organisation.  Her plans for the future direction of nasen are exciting and I have every confidence that she will drive them forward to improve outcomes for children with special educational needs."

 

Lorraine’s experience of the full spectrum of education has made her uniquely qualified to be a pivotal figure in projects with the DCSF, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the Training and Development Agency (TDA) to help shape policy and raise awareness, both in the UK and on an international level. She has also been a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at numerous national and international events and is widely recognised as an expert in the field of special educational needs.

 

Lorraine comments, “I am over the moon about the award and will accept in on behalf of all those who work tirelessly to support children and young people with special educational needs. I will use this opportunity to continue the campaign to ensure the best possible educational provision for all children but especially the most vulnerable in our schools.”