Careers Leader

Salary: Main Pay Scale 1-6 (£34,398 - £46,839), SEN 1 Allowance & TLR2C

Location: Arbour Vale School

Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.

The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post-16 base, soft-play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well-equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall.

Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Careers Leader to provide strategic leadership and coordination of a whole-school careers programme. The postholder will design, deliver and continuously develop a high-quality, inclusive careers curriculum that supports all learners to build employability skills and make informed decisions about their future pathways.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a whole-school careers strategy and programme that aligns with the school's development plan.

• Programme Delivery: Design and deliver an accessible careers curriculum, including workshops on employability skills, and bespoke learner experiences.

• Employer & Community Engagement: Build and maintain partnerships with local employers, colleges, and training providers to secure work experience placements and "encounters" with the world of work.

Key Requirements:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent recognised teaching qualification

• Experience of monitoring student progress and using data to inform planning and interventions.

• Understanding of the needs of pupils with SEND and strategies to support engagement, independence, and progression.

Rewards & Benefits:

• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.

• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Home Electronics Scheme and Employee Car Lease Scheme)

• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme

• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)

• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Our Trust

Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity before or after submitting an application form, please get in touch with the School directly. Visits to the School in advance of applications are encouraged.

The successful candidate must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle to travel between both sites and attend home visits.

Closing Date: 12th June 2026

Interviews will take place on: to be confirmed

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.