Speech and Language Therapist – Specialist Independent Secondary School

Manchester | Full-Time | Permanent | September 2026 Start

Competitive Salary (Dependent on Experience and Qualifications)

Are you a passionate Speech and Language Therapist looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact in a specialist educational setting?

Would you like to be part of an exciting new independent secondary school where your expertise will help shape communication support from the very beginning?

A brand-new, purpose-built specialist independent secondary school in Manchester is seeking a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist to join its multidisciplinary team ahead of its September 2026 opening. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in developing and delivering a high-quality therapeutic provision for young people aged 11–18 with additional needs.

Working within a smaller, highly supportive environment, you will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students, influence whole-school practice, and help create positive outcomes that extend far beyond the classroom.

The Opportunity

As the school's Speech and Language Therapist, you will assess, plan, and deliver personalised interventions that support students' communication, interaction, language, and social development.

Working collaboratively with teaching staff, SEN professionals, pastoral teams, and school leaders, you will ensure communication strategies are embedded across the curriculum and wider school environment.

This is a highly rewarding and varied role that combines direct student support with strategic input into the development of the school's therapeutic and SEND provision.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct speech, language, and communication assessments
• Develop and implement individualised intervention programmes
• Deliver targeted support through one-to-one and small-group sessions
• Support students with speech, language, communication, and social interaction needs
• Contribute to Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) targets and reviews
• Provide guidance and practical strategies for teachers and support staff
• Deliver training to staff to promote communication-friendly learning environments
• Work collaboratively with families and external professionals
• Monitor progress and adapt interventions to meet changing student needs
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the school's therapeutic provision

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary dependent on experience and qualifications
• September 2026 start date
• Easily accessible Manchester location with excellent transport links
• Opportunity to help establish and shape the Speech and Language Therapy provision within a brand-new specialist school
• Smaller class sizes and personalised support structures
• Modern, purpose-built facilities designed around student wellbeing and learning
• Supportive and forward-thinking leadership team
• Collaborative multidisciplinary working environment
• Ongoing professional development and specialist training opportunities
• A genuinely rewarding role where your expertise will have a direct and lasting impact

About You

We are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate professional who is committed to improving outcomes for young people with additional needs.

You will have:

• A recognised qualification in Speech and Language Therapy
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or eligibility to register
• Experience working with children and young people
• Knowledge of a range of speech, language, communication, and interaction needs
• Experience supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
• A patient, adaptable, and student-centred approach
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within specialist, independent, or alternative provision settings
• Knowledge of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• Understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches
• Experience delivering staff training and supporting whole-school practice
• Experience contributing to EHCP reviews and multi-agency working

Why Join This School?

This is far more than a traditional therapy role. It is an opportunity to help build a specialist provision from the ground up and influence how therapeutic support is delivered across an entire school community.

As part of a new independent setting, you will have greater autonomy, flexibility, and professional influence than is often available in larger provisions. Your expertise will directly shape both individual student outcomes and the wider culture of support within the school.

If you're a Speech and Language Therapist looking for a rewarding new challenge where you can truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to join an exciting new specialist independent school and help transform the lives of young people through outstanding communication support.

INDTMN