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- Tasks: Provide occupational therapy to support students' education and wellbeing.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Nightingale Community Academy, focused on special education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension schemes, employee discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people with additional needs.
- Qualifications: Degree in Occupational Therapy and experience with children or young people.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to shape a new satellite centre from the ground up.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 46000 £ per year.
Salary: NHS Band 6 £44,684 to £52,990
Location: Nightingale Satellite Priory Lane, SW15 5RT
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full time, 5 days
Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged between 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose-built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post-16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds.
Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return. We are excited to announce the development of a new satellite centre, opening after Easter 2026. This provision will offer up to 72 secondary places for boys and girls, introduced through a phased build-up over three years. Joining the team at this new site provides a unique opportunity to help shape a brand-new provision from the ground up, creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for students from day one.
Responsibilities
- Provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention to support learners’ access to education, wellbeing and daily functioning
- Deliver targeted, evidence-based therapeutic interventions to address barriers to learning and participation
- Develop, implement and review individualised occupational therapy programmes and contribute to EHCP outcomes
- Work collaboratively with families, teaching staff and multi-disciplinary and external agencies
- Support teaching and learning through advice, training, planning, monitoring and feedback
- Uphold safeguarding, health, safety, professional standards and academy policies
Key Requirements
- Degree in Occupational Therapy with HCPC registration (or eligibility to register)
- Experience working with children or young people with additional needs, including neurodevelopmental and behavioural difficulties
- Experience delivering individual and group-based occupational therapy interventions
- Knowledge and practical experience of therapeutic approaches, inclusion and safeguarding within an educational or clinical setting
- Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain)
Benefits
- Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme and Employee Car Lease Scheme)
- Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
- Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
- Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
About the Trust
Nightingale Satellite is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners. Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities. It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
How to apply
If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged. Your application form will be scored according to each of the requirements laid out in the person specification for this role. Please demonstrate in your statement how your experience, skills and knowledge match the criteria that are required for the role. Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.
To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered. To apply for this role, please click ‘Fast Apply’, you will then be directed to a ‘Login’ page, once signed in, please complete and submit the Application Form.
Closing Date: Monday, 23rd March 2026
Interview Date: Thursday, 26th March 2026
Occupational Therapist employer: Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
Contact Detail:
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Before your interview, check out Nightingale Community Academy's website and social media. Understanding their mission and how they support students with SEMH needs will help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses! Think about how your background in occupational therapy aligns with the role. Prepare examples of how you've helped children with additional needs in the past, and be ready to discuss specific therapeutic interventions you've delivered.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for collaboration! Highlight your experience working with families, teachers, and other professionals. Emphasise how teamwork has led to successful outcomes for students, as this is key in a multi-disciplinary environment like Nightingale.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the new satellite centre or the support available for staff. This shows you're genuinely interested and eager to contribute to their exciting developments.
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Experience: When filling out your application, make sure to highlight your experience working with children or young people with additional needs. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those relevant examples!
Tailor Your Statement: Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Tailor it to reflect how your skills and knowledge meet the specific requirements of the job. We’re looking for a clear connection between your experience and what we need at Nightingale Community Academy.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of occupational therapy, especially in relation to children with additional needs. Familiarise yourself with evidence-based interventions and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your previous work that highlight your experience with children or young people facing neurodevelopmental and behavioural challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working with families and multi-disciplinary teams, think about how you can demonstrate your collaborative skills. Be ready to share instances where you've successfully worked with others to achieve positive outcomes for students.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the new satellite centre and its vision. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to shaping this exciting new provision.