Meet the team: Specialist therapists at Dawn House School
The work of Dawn House School is transformative for children with complex speech and language challenges. As part of Speech and Language UK, the school provide an integrated, specialist approach to education and therapy. The dedicated therapy team works alongside teaching staff, supporting pupils to overcome barriers and build the skills they need to thrive in learning and life.
We’re proud to offer exciting careers in Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, with opportunities to develop specialist skills in a supportive, collaborative environment.
We spoke to Paisley, a Speech and Language Therapy Apprentice, and Hannah, one of our Occupational Therapists, to find out more about their roles and what makes working at Dawn House School so rewarding.💙
Meet Paisley – Speech and Language Therapy Apprentice💬
What inspired you to become a Speech and Language Therapy Apprentice?
I’ve always been passionate about language and communication, and when I discovered the Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship, it felt like the perfect fit. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience while learning on the job is invaluable, and being able to support children with speech and language challenges in such a direct and meaningful way really inspired me to pursue this career path.
What does a typical day look like for you in school?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day in this role, which is one of the things I love about it! That said, a day might begin with a one-to-one speech session, followed by a language session, and then some focused work on emotional literacy. At lunchtime, I’ll often join the pupils and enjoy one of our free school lunches. The afternoon could include embedded support in the school gym, running a group session on social relationships, and finishing the day by writing up clinical notes. But the variety doesn’t stop there – I might also be out delivering speech and language support during residential trips, biking activities, or other exciting events. No two days are ever quite the same!
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
For me, the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the real, meaningful progress pupils make over time. Because we’re embedded in the school environment, we get to witness first-hand the impact that therapy has, whether it’s in the classroom, during activities, or in everyday conversations. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the difference we can make.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about your work?
I wish more people realised that Speech and Language Therapy isn’t just about speech. We support a wide range of areas including understanding and using language, social communication, emotional regulation, literacy, and even thinking skills. We work collaboratively with pupils to help them achieve goals that matter to them, and that collaborative, person-centred approach is a big part of what makes the work so impactful.
Meet Hannah – Occupational Therapist👐
What inspired you to become an Occupational Therapist?
I always knew I wanted a career helping people in some way and love the practical side of OT. There are also lots of different areas you can work in.
What does a typical day look like for you in school?
Every day is different! I start off going to morning briefing to get updates about the school day. I have a mixture of sessions during my day, some 1:1 sessions working on specific therapy goals. I also try and work in class when it comes to the more hands-on subjects like food technology, this is great for all things sensory as well as incorporating lots of fine motor skills. We also have a designated sensory room in school which I can use for sessions. I also get to spend time more informally with the students too during lunch duties, house events and assemblies, so a real mix of activities and lots of opportunities for therapeutic engagement.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Making a tangible difference to the lives of children with speech and language challenges. It’s great working at a school because therapy is delivered in a fun way to get the most engagement from the students. Hearing students say they’re looking forward to their OT sessions is always encouraging, but the real reward is when they apply what they’ve learned to manage their regulation during the school day and support their learning.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about your work?
Knowing what Occupational Therapy is! I think a lot of people hear the word therapy and assume that we are the same as physiotherapy but OT has a much more holistic approach and is focused on helping everyone to live their life to their full potential.
Join us
If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to develop your career in a supportive, child-centred environment, we’d love to hear from you. Explore current vacancies at Dawn House School and become part of a team where every day brings new opportunities to help children thrive.
Browse our current vacancies here!💡
Want to find out more about Occupational Therapy at Dawn House? Join us at the Occupational Therapist Recruitment Afternoon:
📅 Tuesday 24th June 2025, 1pm – 3pm
Email catherine.ingram@dawnhouse.org.uk to register your interest!
