Eileen Bristow – Occupational Therapist & Therapy Team Leader
Eileen joined Oakley School in 2011, prior to this she has worked for the NHS, Social Services and in the Independent sector as an Occupational Therapist and Therapy Manager. Eileen coordinates therapy services at Oakley School and also provides Occupational Therapy interventions to support children and young people across all of the key stages.
Eileen is a Highly Specialist OT, she has carried out post graduate training in Sensory Integration and achieved a Postgraduate Certificate in Sensory Integration with Distinction, from Ulster University in 2013. She is also trained to deliver Therapeutic Listening music programme® Eileen has experience of working with children and young people with Autism, Dyspraxia/ DCD, Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, and Developmental Delay.
Eileen also provides training to Teachers and Parents at Oakley School as well as other special needs and mainstream schools in Kent on Sensory Integration, Cygnet & Early Bird Plus for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia, Handwriting and Motor Skills.
Abbi Songhurst – Speech and Language Therapist
Abbi joined Oakley in September 2017 with a Masters in Speech and Language Sciences from University College London as a full-time Speech and Language Therapist. She has previously worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and children with Down Syndrome.
Carrie Daniels – Speech and Language Therapist
Carrie qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2009. She then work for the Ealing paediatric Speech and Language Therapy service until she moved to Kent in 2016. During her time in Ealing Carrie worked across a number of settings including early years, mainstream and special schools. Carrie has recently joined the therapy team at Oakley school for one day a week. Her areas of interest are Autism Spectrum Disorder and behavioural feeding difficulties. She has completed a post basic course in paediatric dysphagia.
Liz Skilton – Speech and Language Therapist
Liz qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1998. She has a Masters degree in supporting communication with people with severe profound and complex needs. Her clinical interests include Augmentative and Alternative Communication, dysphagia and mental health in people with learning disabilities. Liz works on a consultancy basis for one day a week at Oakley.
Roger Arguile – Art Therapist
Roger is an Art Therapist with thirty years’ experience of clinical practice. Roger has extensive knowledge and skills in providing psychological intervention for children and adolescents who have complex needs particularly relating to speech and communication disorders. Roger works on an individual basis or in small groups, depending on need. Roger is also a practicing artist.
Gail Putnam – Therapy Assistant
Gail works as a Therapy Assistant on the Tunbridge Wells site and has 16 years’ experience in supporting pupils both in the classroom and delivering therapy programmes. Gail supports Speech and Language Therapy, Communication and Interaction groups, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Circuits and Physiotherapy. Gail is also the Makaton Tutor for Oakley School.
Lucy Lloyd – Therapy Assistant
Lucy works as a Therapy Assistant at the Tunbridge Wells site supporting children and young people in the classroom and delivering therapy programmes. Lucy has worked at Oakley school for three years supporting in all different areas of the school. Lucy is trained and has experience of PECS, Alternative or Augmentative Communication (AAC), Sensory Strategies and Rebound Therapy. Lucy has attended both the Makaton beginners’ course and the Makaton follow-up course.