Are you a forward-thinking Speech & Language Therapist or Occupational Therapist with a vision for clinical and collaborative leadership? Are you passionate about embedding therapy directly into the educational journey of young people with complex communication, sensory, and interaction needs?
Stony Dean School is seeking an exceptional, dynamic professional to join us as Head of Therapy.
In this pivotal leadership role, you will shape and drive our integrated therapy model uniting SALT, OT, and specialist provisions to empower pupils to achieve functional independence, effective communication and interaction, and success beyond school and training.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 32.5 hours per week. Term time only + Inset days
Salary / Grade: Leadership / Ranges between 8 (£47,837 - £52,869) and 9 (£54,143 - £60,082) depending on experience
Closing Date: 16th September 2026
Interview: Week Commencing 21st September 2026
Start Date: 02 October 2026 or ASAP thereafter.
Location: Stony Dean School, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with responsibility across partnership provisions
Important Note: Application Deadline: Rolling recruitment – early applications are strongly encouraged.
Stony Dean School is an inspirational special school supporting pupils aged 11–19 with a range of neurodiverse profiles and complex communication, interaction, sensory and learning needs.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing and aspirational environment in which therapeutic practice is embedded throughout teaching, learning and school life. Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively with pupils, families, education staff, external professionals, employers and partner organisations to deliver coordinated support at universal, targeted and specialist levels.
Our wider provision includes an established partnership with Amersham School and a Supported Internship Programme, enabling therapeutic support to continue across mainstream inclusion, post-16 pathways, employment preparation and transition into adulthood.
As the Head of Therapy, you will provide professional guidance and operational leadership to our dedicated multidisciplinary therapy team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and therapy assistants/apprentices. Working alongside the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, and teaching staff, you will ensure our therapeutic provision is innovative, evidence-based, and embedded into the curriculum.
Website: Stony Dean School
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Strategic Direction: Provide strategic leadership for the therapy department, driving service development plans and collaborating with the Senior Leadership Team to align therapeutic goals with wider school development priorities.
- Curriculum Integration: Embedding therapeutic strategies into daily classroom practice, enabling pupils to access learning and develop key life skills.
- Clinical Practice: Managing a specialist clinical caseload (SALT or OT) using evidence-based assessment and personalised intervention.
- Team & Staff Leadership: Line managing, supervising, and mentoring therapy staff while driving an impactful CPD programme for school staff and families.
- EHCP Management: Ensuring full compliance and high standards for EHCP provisions and statutory reporting.
- Admissions support: Collaborate with Admissions lead and contribute specialist clinical advice regarding placement suitability, required provision, staffing, resources and potential funding implications. This may include attendance at tribunals.
Who We Are Looking For
We are primarily seeking an experienced Speech and Language Therapist (SALT); however, experienced Occupational Therapists (OT) with strong leadership capability and a background in special education needs settings are highly encouraged to apply.
Our ideal candidate will possess:
- Professional Credentials: Recognised degree/qualification in SALT or OT with current HCPC registration (and RCSLT or RCOT membership).
- Clinical Expertise: Substantial post-qualification experience supporting children or young people with ASC, language disorders, sensory and physical needs.
- Leadership Ability: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team within an educational setting.
- Personal Qualities: An innovative, collaborative mindset with outstanding communication skills and a commitment to child-centred practice.
What We Offer
- A supportive, warm, and collaborative working environment alongside dedicated educators and therapists.
- A key seat in driving school-wide strategy with backing from an engaged Senior Leadership Team.
- Generous continuous professional development (CPD) funding and regular clinical supervision.
- A structured Bucks pay scale mapped to the NHS Agenda for Change framework, together with generous school holiday entitlement.
To request an application pack or to arrange an informal conversation/visit to the school, please contact Rachel Franklin, HR & Compliance Officer [email protected]
Stony Dean School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. An offer of appointment is subject to satisfactory references, Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), PO (Prohibition Order) checks, online searches and medical clearance.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
- All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
- All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).
For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
