Salary: Band 9 (£45,091 – £49,282 pro rata, actual £41,898 – £45,793)
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, term time plus 20 additional days (flexibility with hours can be considered)
Closing Date: Monday 2nd February

Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Speech and Language Therapist to join Castle School. This is our specialist provision supporting children and young people aged 3–19 with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), learning difficulties, and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

This is a rare opportunity to take a lead specialist role within a school setting, where you will become part of the new therapy team and your expertise will shape provision, influence practice, and significantly improve outcomes for pupils with complex needs.

Main Roles and Responsibilities 

  • Hold lead responsibility for Speech, Language and Communication provision across the school
  • Manage a highly specialist caseload, delivering assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based intervention
  • Design and implement individualised therapy programmes for children and young people with complex SLCN
  • Work collaboratively with the lead Occupational Therapist to drive forward our vision of integrating therapy within the school environment
  • Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, including education, health, and social care professionals
  • Support families and carers to create positive communication environments beyond school
As well as a rewarding career in a fully inclusive learning environment, the Trust offers the following benefits:
  • An excellent pension scheme with a generous 17% employer contribution from the Trust.
  • 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays for all year-round staff, increasing to 31 days after five years’ service.
  • 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential wellbeing and support services.
  • Comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support for all staff through Dittolo.
  • Access to The Nest, our childcare provision in Ashington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, offering both paid and free 30-hour places for eligible families.
  • Gym membership discounts, with reduced rates at Sculpt Ashington and Places Leisure.
  • Eligibility for a Blue Light Card, giving Trust staff exclusive discounts at major retailers including Apple, JD Sports and TUI.
  • Cycle to work scheme

If you’re ready to help shape brighter futures for our children with special educational needs, then we look forward to hearing from you!

Please look at our school website https://castle.ncea.org.uk for further information and contact Tiffany Amsdon-Smith (Lead Occupational Therapist) at Castle School for any enquiries.

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Download Job Description and Person Specification

Recruitment Pack

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Equality and Diversity Statement

Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.