Head of Therapies

Priory School, London, SE19 3QN

19 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  20 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  1 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Working pattern: Full time: Term time only plus 2 weeks during school holidays. Preferably full time but part time considered with a minimum of 19 hours per week.
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: Equivalent to NHS Agenda for Change Band 8a (pro rata)

What skills and experience we're looking for

An exciting opportunity to lead and shape the therapeutic offer at Priory School

Priory School is looking to appoint an experienced, passionate and ambitious therapist to become our Head of Therapies and lead the next stage of development of our whole-school therapeutic model.

Priory is a specialist secondary school for students aged 11–19 with severe learning difficulties, many of whom have Autism and complex communication, sensory and regulation needs. We have a strong commitment to understanding our students as individuals and creating the conditions in which they can thrive, communicate, learn and develop independence.

This is not simply a clinical role. As Head of Therapies, you will have genuine strategic responsibility for the school's therapeutic provision, leading the development of our universal, targeted and specialist offer.

You will determine and drive the Therapeutic Universal Offer across the school, working closely with our Pathway Leads to identify what this means in practice for different pathways, classes and individual students. You will lead our team of therapists and Therapy Assistants, oversee therapy delivered through our Local Authority Service Level Agreement, and ensure that students receive high-quality provision that meets their identified needs.

A key part of the role will be turning therapeutic expertise into everyday practice. You will identify training priorities, plan and deliver staff development, provide modelling and support, and work with Pathway Leads to follow up and quality assure that agreed approaches are being implemented effectively.

You will also have the opportunity to shape the future direction of therapy at Priory, identifying areas for development, strengthening our multidisciplinary approach and exploring opportunities to share our expertise through outreach, training and consultancy.

We are looking for someone who combines strong professional expertise with excellent leadership skills; someone who can develop a clear vision, influence practice, build positive relationships and bring people with them. You will need to be confident working across professional boundaries and able to translate complex therapeutic knowledge into practical approaches that make a difference to students and staff.

You could be an experienced Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist or other suitably qualified registered therapist with the leadership experience and ambition to take on a whole-school role.

What the school offers its staff

Strong focus on staff wellbeing.

Flexible working policy.

Personalised training programme.

Flexible working opportunities

Term time only plus 2 weeks during school holidays. Preferably full time but part time considered with a minimum of 19 hours per week.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Priory School

• Organisation type: Special school, ages 11 to 19
• Size: 140 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Priory School website
• Email address: traceyjones@priorycroydon.org.uk
• Phone number: 02086538222
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/priory-school-london

Arranging a visit to Priory School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email traceyjones@priorycroydon.org.uk.

School location

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