nasen announces new Chair of the Board: Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis
nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs) is proud to announce the appointment of Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis, CEO at PA Community Trust, as the new Chair of the Board. With an exemplary background in inclusive education and community-led enrichment, Phillipa brings a wealth of experience and vision to nasen at a pivotal time for the whole sector.
Throughout her career, Phillipa has championed inclusive practice across mainstream education settings and believes passionately in the right of every child and young person to access a high-quality education—regardless of need or background. Her leadership at PA Community Trust has been marked by a deep commitment to ensuring that support for pupils with SEND is embedded not only in the classroom but across the wider learning experience. Each one of her mainstream schools has a resource base provision as the beating heart of its community, she is committed to a local school offer where SEND children can attend and flourish with their friends and siblings.
“Inclusive education must not begin and end at the school gates,” says Phillipa. “It should be a dynamic partnership between schools, families, and the wider community—especially local businesses and organisations that can offer enrichment opportunities and clear pathways into further education, employment, and life beyond school.”
As Chair, Phillipa will lead nasen’s strategic efforts to promote highly effective inclusive practice in mainstream settings, and to expand opportunities for all learners—particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. She is a respected advocate for leveraging the power of cross-sector collaboration to ensure that every child, both in and out of school, can thrive and succeed.
“We have never been at a more critical juncture for SEND in this country. As political tides shift, we must ensure that the needs of children and young people with SEND are not sidelined but placed firmly at the heart of national education policy. This is not a time for hesitation —it is a time for bold, inclusive leadership. At nasen, we will continue to champion the voices of families, educators, and communities, and work tirelessly to ensure that inclusive practice is not just a principle, but a lived reality in every classroom, every policy, and every child’s future.”
All stakeholders feel that “for far too long, children with SEND have not been given the priority they deserve. But those days are behind us. Under the leadership of the new government, we are entering a new era—one where inclusive mainstream education is no longer optional, but essential. Now is the time for everyone working in education to actively champion a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that every child, regardless of need, has the opportunity to thrive.”
Outgoing Chair, Elaine Simpson, said, “‘It has been both a huge pleasure and a privilege to chair the Board of Trustees for the last six years. I am very proud of how the organisation has grown and developed during that period and thrilled to see the contribution nasen makes to the sector.
I am hugely grateful to all the talented executive team, the staff, and of course the other wonderful and hard-working Trustees I have had the honour of working with during this period.
I know that under Phillipa’s expert leadership the organisation will continue to flourish and contribute still further to the improvement of the sector and hence to the outcomes for all children and young people with additional needs.”
nasen’s CEO Annamarie Hassall MBE says, “My thanks to Elaine for all her efforts on nasen’s behalf it has been a pleasure working with her. With Phillipa at the helm, nasen looks forward to deepening its impact enabling greater diversity and continuing to be a driving force in shaping a more equitable education system across the UK. My team and I, look forward to working with Phillipa and her fellow Board members in the coming term.”
