The National Association of Special Schools (NASS) has appointed Clive Lawrence OBE (pictured) as its new chief executive officer.
He will assume the role in November, initially working alongside current Claire Dorer OBE, who announced earlier this year that she planned to step down about 21 years leading the organisation.
Lawrence has more than two decades of experience leading improvement across specialist education, SEND and inclusion at local, regional and national levels.
He has held a number of senior executive roles including executive headteacher, leading a special school to an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rating; strategic director of academies (SEND) across 37 special and mainstream schools; chief education officer across 14 special schools and alternative provisions; and, most recently, chief operating officer, leading commercial operations, organisational growth and innovation within an educational business.
I understand the opportunities and challenges facing the sector
Lawrence was awarded an OBE for services to education in 2022, recognising his work to improve outcomes for disadvantaged and care-experienced children and young people with SEND.
Commenting on the appointment, Elizabeth Farnden, NASS chair of trustees and headteacher at Forest Bridge School, a special academy in Maidenhead, said: “We are delighted to appoint Clive as the next Chief Executive of NASS.
“His extensive experience across special schools, alternative provision, SEND and inclusion, combined with his strong record of leadership and improvement, makes him exceptionally well placed to lead the organisation into its next chapter.”
Claire Dorer OBE, the current CEO said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead NASS over the past 21 years. The passion and commitment across our schools to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND has been a constant source of inspiration.
“Clive is a great person to be passing leadership of NASS to. His knowledge and experience of special schools will ensure that NASS continues to be a force for good for the sector as we enter this period of policy change”
Lawrence said he was honoured to have been appointed.
“Having spent much of my career in and alongside special schools and alternative provision, I understand the opportunities and challenges facing the sector,” he said.
“I look forward to building on NASS’s strong foundations, working with members and partners to champion special schools and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
“I am committed to ensuring that the voices and experiences of professionals, children and families remain at the heart of everything we do.”
