All LocationsAll Locations:
Shaftesbury
Advertising SalarySalary Details:
£39,609 - £41,691 pro-rated annual salary
Function:
School Support Staff
EmployerEmployer:
Dorset Centre of Excellence
Job Working PatternJob Working Pattern:
Term time only

About the role

Are you passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with additional needs? Coombe House School is looking for a qualified and experienced Occupational Therapist to lead and deliver high-quality therapy provision across our school. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team and to further shape the impact of OT across a unique specialist educational setting. 

As our school-based Occupational Therapist, you will:  

  • Lead and further develop the school’s Occupational Therapy service.
  •  Carry out assessments and deliver individualised interventions for pupils with SEMH and autism. 
  •  Work closely with teachers, leaders, parents, carers, and other professionals to ensure effective support. 
  •  Provide training, advice, and strategies to staff to embed therapeutic approaches into classroom practice. 
  • Contribute to pupils’ EHCP reviews, reports, and progress planning.
 
We would love to hear from you if you:
  •  Hold a recognised degree in Occupational Therapy. 
  •  Are registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). 
  •  Have post-qualification experience in a relevant clinical area (SEMH, ASD, neurodiversity). 
  •  Have had experience of working with children with sensory processing difficulties. 
  •  Are confident in working collaboratively with staff teams, parents, and external professionals. 
  •  Are enthusiastic, empathetic, and committed to making a difference
Excellent salary range from £42,839 - £45,091 FTE per annum (Actual term time only + 2 weeks for this position is £39,609 - £41,691 per annum).
 
Working hours are full time (37 hours) 08.30 – 16.30 Monday to Thursday, 08.30 – 16.00 on a Friday. Flexibility around those hours can be discussed.
 
How to Apply:
Please review the job description and person specification for further information about the role. Please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager on 01747 449858 for any queries, or email [email protected]
 
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 30 September 2025
Interview will be held on: Wednesday 8 October 2025

Further Information

Coombe House School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and includes appropriate paid annual leave and bank holiday entitlements.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

Coombe House School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.

About Us

Our school  
Coombe House School is an independent special school that provides education for pupils aged 5 to 19 with SEMH and ASD and associated difficulties, which represents the largest group of children and young people supported by an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) in Dorset and nationally. All pupils on roll have an EHCP. The school uses a therapeutic approach to support pupils with their individual difficulties. Everything the school does is based on the formation and maintenance of positive relationships and viewing all behaviour as communication. 

The school is accessed via a private road and enjoys a secluded setting within its grounds. The accommodation extends to over 160,000 sq ft, set within in grounds of 55 acres.  

What Coombe House School can offer you:   

  • A workplace set in beautiful surroundings. 

  • Competitive salary. 

  • Pro-rated from 31 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, in line with the 41-week term-time contract (weeks added to and included in your salary). 

  • Enhanced NEST Pension Scheme (10% employers' contribution). 

  • Continuous professional development and training 

  • Use of leisure facilities (gym and swimming pool), at specified times.  

  • Death in Service (3 x salary). 

  • Health Care Plan after probation period - claim back costs towards dental check-ups, eye tests, prescription charges and therapies. 

  • Highly supportive leadership team and working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of other SEN Specialists. 

  • Access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme.   

  • Wellbeing support, including qualified Mental Health First Aiders on staff body. 

  •  

  •  Please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager on 01747 449858 for any queries, or email [email protected]  

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