Orchard Manor School · Dawlish, South West
About us: Orchard Manor School, Dawlish (EX7) | Part of the Special Partnership Trust Welcome to Orchard Manor School At Orchard Manor School, we are proud to be a truly inclusive community where every pupil is known, valued and supported to belong. Our work is grounded in our core values of respect, relationships, kindness, community, and health & happiness, which are lived through daily interactions across our school. We are a specialist school with an outstanding residential provision, supporting pupils aged 4-19 with autism and communication and interaction needs, alongside learning needs. We place the child firmly at the centre of everything we do. Through strong relationships with pupils, families and professionals, we create a safe, nurturing environment where pupils feel respected, understood and able to thrive. A significant proportion of our curriculum is dedicated to Communication, Language & Literature, underpinned by a Total Communication approach. Communication is central to wellbeing — supporting pupils’ health & happiness, enabling them to connect, express themselves, and participate fully in their community. The Role: We are seeking a passionate and skilled professional to lead communication practice across the school. This is a key role in helping us: Deliver the highest-quality universal communication offer across all classrooms and environments Build consistent, confident practice rooted in respect and kindness Provide high-quality targeted intervention for pupils with identified speech, language and communication needs You will play a central role in ensuring that communication is not an add-on, but something that shapes every interaction, every relationship, and every learning experience. You will lead communication provision across our pathway model (Explore, Discovery and Investigate), ensuring that approaches reflect individual need while enabling pupils to build independence and develop their voice within the school community. This post is open to candidates who are either: a qualified Speech & Language Therapist, or a specialist practitioner with expert knowledge in Total Communication and exceptional AAC practice, with a proven ability to influence and develop others Key Responsibilities: Leading Whole-School Communication Lead and embed a consistent Total Communication approach across the school Ensure AAC systems are used effectively and consistently across environments Promote a culture where pupils are listened to, respected and actively supported to communicate Speech, Language and Communication Planning Assess pupils’ needs and develop clear, practical communication plans Ensure plans are implemented consistently and reviewed for impact Align provision with EHCP outcomes and wider developmental goals Universal Offer and Targeted Intervention Strengthen the school’s universal communication offer, ensuring high-quality provision for all Deliver