Meet The Staff

Lorraine Lewin

Head of Outreach

Years with the Trust: 10 years

Previous Roles: Foundation Stage Lead, KS1 Lead, EYFS Teacher Moderator for Medway, Advanced Skills Teacher, Assistant Headteacher, Early Years Teaching & Learning Adviser for KCC, Deputy Head Teacher

Experience: Lorraine began her teaching career in 1995 and has worked within a variety of schools and nursery settings across Kent and Medway. Her experience includes supporting staff who worked with children with a wide range of SEND needs, including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties, Down’s Syndrome, Communication Difficulties which include non-speaking and verbal dyspraxia as well as those with SEMH needs. She has been a Leader for Phonics, Assessment and data as well as English and behaviour. As part of her Leadership responsibilities, she has written and developed policies, as well as organising and delivering CPD to staff. In 2008 Lorraine became a Signalong Tutor and since then has regularly delivered Signalong Training and workshops for Parents/Carers and staff. Lorraine through her AST and Adviser roles has supported both ECTs, experienced teachers, Leadership Teams and Governors. She has also been both a Parent and Staff Governor responsible for SEND and Early Years. Within Outreach, Lorraine leads the team to ensure that the Outreach Offer continues to meet the needs of settings through both commissioned and traded work. She also organises the termly SENDCO meetings which are for SENDCOS within Medway Secondary and Primary schools.

Qualifications:

• BA Ed(Hons) in Primary Education and English Literature
• MA in Early Childhood Development
• Specialist Leader for Education
• Signalong Foundation Tutor
• Positive Behaviour Support Specialist
• Drawing & Talking Therapist
• NAS Teen Life Facilitator
• NAS Early Bird+ Facilitator
• Currently studying for NPQSENCO award

Hobbies & Interests: Lorraine is a passionate follower of F1 and was lucky to get to  to meet her absolute Hero driver at an event in London where he was one of the keynote speakers, as well as getting his autograph! She loves reading and music and enjoys going to concerts which include Duran Duran (several times), Depeche Mode, Guns and Roses, Prince to name a few. Lorraine loves to spend time with her family and children and as a parent she has personal experience of SEND needs as two of her children have a range diagnoses and her youngest is awaiting an assessment. Lorraine has recently become the proud owner of a Cocker Spaniel puppy who is keeping the whole family busy as she is constantly on the go and looking for mischief!

Lauren Calloway

Outreach Practitioner

Years with the Trust: 5 years

Previous Roles: Mainstream Class Teacher, SENCO

Experience: Lauren began her teaching career in 2008 and has worked extensively in both mainstream and specialist educational settings. Her experience includes supporting children with a wide range of complex needs, including autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional, and mental health challenges. As a SENCO, she led inclusive strategies and coordinated multi-agency support to ensure every child could thrive. At Outreach, Lauren continues to apply her deep understanding of neurodiversity and behaviour to create nurturing, inclusive learning environments.

Qualifications:

• BA (Hons) in Primary Education
• NASENCO Award
• NPQ in Behaviour and Culture

Hobbies & Interests: Lauren loves spending time with her family and friends. She’s a proud supporter of Lordswood RFC, where both her husband and son play. Music and theatre are her passions — she constantly has music playing in the background and enjoys live performances whenever she can.

Vicki Cornwell

Outreach Practitioner | Autism Specialist | Parent Support Facilitator

I’m an experienced Outreach Practitioner with over 29 years of supporting individuals with special educational needs, particularly Autism and ADHD. My journey has taken me from residential care settings to strategic roles in education, always driven by a deep commitment to helping children and young people thrive.

Currently, I work within a trust where I’ve spent the past nine years building strong, collaborative relationships with families and professionals. My background includes leadership roles at the National Autistic Society and hands-on classroom support in special needs education.

As a trained facilitator for the Teen Life and Early Bird Plus programmes, I empower parents to better understand their child’s diagnosis and develop practical strategies for family life. I also serve as a school governor, contributing to inclusive education at a strategic level.

My personal experience as a mother to three teenagers—two with autism and one of those also has ADHD—gives me a unique perspective and fuels my passion for advocacy and support.

Outside of work, I’m a rugby enthusiast and love either watching my youngest son on the pitch on a cold Sunday morning or watching England win on the TV .Also love spending time at my Holiday home with my family and 3yr old crazy dog.

Key skills & interest:

• Autism &ADHD support (children, teens, and adults)
• Parent coaching and facilitation
• Residential care leadership
• Classroom-based SEN support
• School governance

Theepana Thananseyan known as Tippy

Outreach Practitioner

Years with the Trust: 7 years

Previous Roles: Senior Healthcare Practitioner for Young Adults with Learning Disabilities, Care Coordinator, French Tutor, SEN Teaching Assistant (Primary and Secondary)

Experience:

Tippy has been a valued member of Fortis Trust for 7 years. She began her journey with the Trust in the Secondary department before moving into the Primary as a Teaching Assistant.

Her experience includes supporting children and young people with a wide range of complex needs, including autism, ADHD, communication difficulties, and social, emotional, and mental health needs. This breadth of experience across different age groups and settings has given Tippy a well-rounded perspective on the unique strengths and developmental differences of the individuals she supports.

Tippy also has international experience, having studied and worked in France, which adds a global dimension to her understanding of education and care. Fluent in French, Tamil, and English, she uses her language skills to communicate effectively with diverse communities, enhancing inclusivity and understanding in her practice.

With a background in both healthcare and education, Tippy approaches her work with empathy, patience, and a strong commitment to promoting positive outcomes for all learners. In her role as Outreach Practitioner, she continues to build strong relationships with pupils, families, and staff, helping to create inclusive environments where every child can thrive.

Qualifications:

• Baccalauréat en Sciences Médico-Sociales (Diploma in Health and Social Sciences)
• Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Hobbies & Interests:

Tippy enjoys spending quality time with her children and family. She loves being creative and finds joy in activities that allow her to unwind and connect with those she loves most. Her cooking is a true passion, often bringing people together, and she also enjoys sewing and shopping, approaching each with the same care and enthusiasm she brings to her family and work.