Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies Overview
The Orchard School (SIPS) is a Maintained Special School for children with severe, profound, and complex learning difficulties and medical needs. There are currently 173 pupils on roll, aged 4 – 11 years. The school has purpose-built premises with facilities including a music and drama studio, white and dark room studios, a soft play room, a sensory room, swimming and hydrotherapy pools and defined outdoor play areas for differing ages and abilities. The school is supported by a multi-agency team of nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy colleagues, and a teacher of the visually impaired, with nursing staff on-site most of the week. Medical out-patient clinics run by consultant paediatricians take place regularly, and there are specialist ophthalmology and occupational therapy clinics in school. Multi-agency teamwork is an essential and highly valued aspect of the school. Our bespoke curriculum is underpinned by the National Curriculum and every child has a personalised learning journey to enable them to achieve their best potential.
Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the Orchard School to appoint Student Support Practitioners. We are looking for exceptional candidates to join our team, who have a passion for supporting children with special educational needs.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the children during lunch periods from Monday to Friday.
- Assist with partaking of food, engage and encourage play activities, and support the children\’s hygiene requirements, including toileting and laundry tasks.
Assessment
To ensure the best fit for this role, shortlisted candidates will be required to attend the school for a short pre-assessment with the children at lunchtime. This will help determine suitability for the role and allow experience of the environment in which you will be working. The pre-assessment is scheduled for Monday 9 February 2026 from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
Qualifications
- High standards of written and spoken English.
- This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for the role.
About the school and the role
At The Orchard School, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment for our students with special educational needs. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated, compassionate, and have a genuine interest in making a positive impact on the lives of these children. If you are passionate about supporting children with special educational needs and believe you have the necessary skills and qualities to excel in this role, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible, as interviews will be held shortly after the pre-assessment.
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check. Any offer of appointment will be subject to successful DBS clearance, 2 satisfactory references, and a clear Disqualification by association return. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is eligible for an enhanced DBS check including a Children’s Barring List Check. If you are barred from working with children you are breaking the law if you apply for this post.
How to apply
If you have the experience and passion to join our school, application forms are available below and should be returned to:
SIPS Education Ltd, 2nd Floor Guardian House, Cronehills Linkway, West Bromwich, West Midlands B70 8GS or emailed to hr.recruitment@sips.co.uk. For more information about how to apply, please call 0121 296 3000. Please ensure application forms are signed if sending via email. If you provided an email address, correspondence will be sent via e-mail. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted via email within 28 working days of the closing date. Please check junk/spamboxes as well as inbox for correspondence. Only successful applicants will be notified.
Online Search – An online search will be undertaken on all shortlisted candidates. This search does not form part of the shortlisting process and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues of concern that may arise from this search at the interview.
Further information relating to our school, including our policies can be found on our website: https://www.orchard.sandwell.sch.uk
Hours: 32hrs 30mins, Term time + 5 INSET Days
Salary: Grade C, SCP 5-8 (£25,583 p.a. – £26,824 p.a) Pro-Rata salary is £20,052 p.a. – £21,296 p.a
Location: The Orchard School, Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands, B68 8LD
Closing date: Wednesday 4 February 2026 @12 Noon
Shortlisting: Thursday 5 February 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 10 February 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Contact Detail:
WMJobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Support Practitioner - The Orchard School in Oldbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research The Orchard School and its values. Understanding their mission will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in supporting children with special educational needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills. Since high standards of spoken English are essential, consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you articulate your passion for the role and demonstrate your ability to engage effectively with children.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the pre-assessment! This is your chance to shine. Prepare to interact with the children during lunch and showcase your ability to support them in a real-life setting. Think about how you can encourage play and assist with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and keen on following the process. Don’t forget to check your email for updates after applying!
