An Interview with Lauren Millar

Lauren Millar – CPT3A

Lauren Millar is the Education Support Co-ordinator for the Northern Regional College in Northern Ireland. They are a Further Education College offering a comprehensive range of qualifications for school leavers, full and part-time courses for adults, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university accredited courses.

We asked Lauren if she has any special interests surrounding SEND, and she said, “I am interested in Inclusive Education, particularly in identifying and reducing barriers to Education. I work with a cohort of students who have often disengaged in mainstream school. I do have a personal interest in Dyslexia and Autism as well.”

Completing the Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment, and Access Arrangements qualification with Real Training this year, we spoke with Lauren to see what she made of the course and studied with us.

What made you choose the Real Training Course over other options?

Real Training was the best option for me as it gave me the flexibility to study around my working commitments. I originally wanted to complete the course to become an assessor for Access Arrangements but I enjoyed gaining in-depth knowledge about psychometric testing.

What was your experience of learning with Real Training?

Real Training provided excellent tutor support and gave me the tools and confidence to succeed in using this qualification to greatly advance the service we provide.

How has the course helped make an impact at school?

This course has greatly benefitted the service we provide in Education Support as it has increased the range of services I can offer to the students. I asked Stephen McCartney, our Head of Student Services, how he feels my completion of the course has had an impact. He said;

‘Apart from extending the knowledge of my staff, this course has allowed me to extend the services we provide to students who require Access Arrangements for exams. To have this capability on campus means that we can respond to student’s needs much more quickly and effectively. The quality of the provision we now offer is reflective of that provided by the course and we have been pleased to have been able to access such training’ 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

Having completed the course, I have been able to reflect back on my own professional practice. Not only regarding Access Arrangements but how I work with and support students who have a range of needs. This has contributed to the service I provide within the College, not only about Access Arrangements but in all I do.