Ms Susan Pearson
Senior Lecturer
Tel: +44 (0)113 3433227
Room: HP2.23
Email: s.e.pearson@education.leeds.ac.uk
Pupil participation; professional development related to inclusive education, Special Educational Needs Coordinators.
Member of Inclusive Education.
Interests
I am a member of the Inclusive Education team and, drawing on over twenty years experience in schools, I am involved in postgraduate teaching including MA(SEN) and Post Graduate Certificate in SEN Co-ordination, linked the the National Award in SEN Coordination. Working with Wakefield LA and Education Leeds, this was amongst the first courses launched in England that is linked to the National Award.
Current doctoral supervisions include exclusions from secondary schools, provision in FE colleges for students with dyslexia, inclusion in Oman and inclusive edcuation in Ghana.
Influencing policy development and implementation is a key aspect of my work. For example, I have had a sustained involvement with Regional Quality Standards for Inclusion . The 2nd Edition (PDF document), which was funded through the Regional Partnership (Yorkshire and Humber),received national recognition. A 3rd edition will be produced which better reflects the current policy context and views about inclusion using funding from other sources.
My research and publications are in the areas of the preparation of teachers to work in inclusive education, pupil participation and the development of productive relationships involving teachers, teaching assistants and pupils. I have presented at a wide range of national and international conferences on these topics including developing a link with the University of Paraiba in Brazil.
Within NASEN, I have been elected as a national officer, first as the President (1997-9) and then as Honorary General Secretary (2001-4). Currently, I am the Reviews Editor for British Journal of Special Education, Support for Learning and Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. I also a member of BERA.
I am studying for a PhD in the area of professional development for inclusive education.
Current research projects
In two follow-up studies to previous research commisioned by NASEN, I am researching the recruitment of SENCos through external adverts and the role of the SEN Governor. Earlier research focussed on the Recruitment, induction and retention of SENCos and The working lives of SENCos.
Selected Publications
PAPERS
Gyimah, E., Sugden, D. and Pearson, S. (Forthcoming). "Inclusion of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools in Ghana: influence of teachers' and children's characteristics". International Journal of Inclusive Education.
Pearson, S (2009). "Using Activity Theory to understand prospective teachers' attitudes to and construction of special educational needs and/or disabilities.". Teaching and Teacher Education, 25, 559 -568. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S (2008). "Deafened by silence or by the sound of footsteps? An investigation of the recruitment, induction and retention of Special Educational Needs Coordinators in England". Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 8(2), 96 -110. Read Abstract.
Gyimah, E, Sugden, D. and Pearson, S. (2008). "An investigation into the emotional reactions to inclusion of Ghanaian mainstream teachers". Support of Learning, 23 (2), 71 - 79. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S and Ralph, S (2007). "The identity of SENCos: insights through images.". Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 7 (1), 36 - 45. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. (2007). "Preparing for inclusive education: the pre-course experiences of prospective secondary school teachers on a UK-based training course.". Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 7(2), 124 -135. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. (2007). "Exploring inclusive education: early steps for prospective secondary school teachers.". British Journal of Special Education, 34(1), 25 - 32. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. (2005). "'SEN - a politically correct phrase to replace terms such as disabled?' A study of the views of students entering a secondary PGCE course". Support for Learning, 20 (1), 17-21. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. and Chambers, G. (2005). "A successful recipe? Aspects of the initial training of secondary teachers of modern foreign languages". Support for Learning, 20(3), 115-122. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. and Chambers, G. (2004). "Supported access to Modern Foreign Language lessons - pupils' perceptions.". Language Learning Journal, 29, 4-13. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S. (2003). "'I'd like to read fluorescently': Year 7 pupils' developing views of reading and their progress". British Journal of Special Education, 30(2), 79-86. Read Abstract.
Pearson, S., Chambers, G. and Hall, K. (2002). "Video as a support to developing effective collaboration between teachers and Learning Support Assistants.". Support for Learning, 18(2), 83-87. Read Abstract.
Extended list of publications.
This page last updated by Susan Pearson on 18th September 2009