Autism Education Trust announces new appointments
19/06/08
The Autism Education Trust (AET) Steering Group is pleased to announce
two new appointments. Sarah-Jane Critchley has taken on the role of
Project Head, and Kate Pettifer joins her as AET Support Officer. The
appointments come at the start of a second year of activity for the
AET, with plans currently being finalised for future projects.
Sarah-Jane
has experience working in project management and management consultancy
for a range of clients. She has gained expertise in education from her
time as a school SEN Governor and volunteer for the National
Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) as well as being a parent of a
child with special needs. Sarah-Jane is excited about joining the AET
at a crucial time in its development. She says;
“I understand
acutely how upsetting the process of diagnosis and accessing the best
education for children with special needs can be for families, having
been through the system myself. It is crucial parents feel confident
and able to make the right choices and I look forward to helping the
Autism Education Trust develop over the coming months.”
Like
Sarah, Kate’s background is also in management consultancy and she has
a great deal of experience in project support. Kate spent nearly four
years at the Bank of England, and then moved to PricewaterhouseCoopers
as a consultant in the Risk Management Solutions division. She has
spent several years at home with her family, and has direct family
experience of autism. This has made her keen to help the AET improve
the current situation for young people and children with autism in
education. Kate says;
“I have had direct experience of
navigating the difficult and often painful road to diagnosis and
accessing help and adequate provision. This has made me extremely
committed and passionate about improving educational provision for all
children and young people with autism.”
Both Sarah and Kate can be reached via the AET
email or by calling 07795 667749.
Ian Wylie, Chair of the AET Steering Group, said;
“The
AET has worked hard to establish a set of core objectives, and arrange
a series of awareness raising events, over the first seven months of
operation. We are now ready to begin planning for the future of the AET
and will look to Sarah-Jane and Kate to help us refine our goals and
plan our business strategy. We want the AET to be a force for change in
autism education and are dedicated to working with parents, young
people with autism, professionals and central and local government to
improve the system for all.”
The AET was launched in the Houses
of Parliament in November 2007, and is dedicated to improving the
educational experience of the estimated 106,000 children with autism
in the UK. The AET believes that all children and young people with
autism should receive an education which enables them to reach their
individual potential to engage in society as active citizens (and that
individuals, families and professionals are informed, supported and
equipped to enable this to be achieved). For further information please
click here.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Jennie Spears: 07944 552634
Romany Simon: 07793 403107
Notes to Editors
Further information about the AET can be found at www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
The
Autism Education Trust is a new organisation established with funding
from the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It is dedicated
to coordinating and improving education support for all children with
autism in England.
It is estimated that one in 100 children have
autism. Their education is the primary concern for most parents and
carers. The Autism Education Trust aims to create a platform for
voluntary, independent and statutory providers to plan and develop
appropriate autism education provision across all education settings,
including early years.