Meet Oner

28 September 2022

Meet Oner. Oner has been working for Chailey Heritage School for 7 years. He began his career with us as a Teaching Assistant, quickly progressing to become a Teacher and is now the Head of our Seymour Department. Oner felt really supported by the school whilst he was doing his teacher training and is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to progress in his career at the school.   

An interview at Chailey Heritage School for an Education Assistant position could include the opportunity to interact with our young people. ‘I didn’t know much about the young people but it doesn’t matter, you just learn it’ says Oner. ‘When you see the approaches used and see the amount of help and support you get from other adults, you realise that this is the right place. It’s not about having a similar background, it’s about having the passion and desire. I think the training you get here and the close contact you get with the clinical team gives you a bank of information’.

Many employees see great career progression at Chailey Heritage Foundation. Oner told us about his journey to become Department Manager. ‘Whilst working as a Teaching Assistant, I was offered an instructor role to work with one of the teachers in Seymour department. After working as an Instructor, I started teacher training and for that role Chailey was just amazing, they were really supportive.

I had to have a placement in a mainstream school for 8 weeks. Chailey gave me the time to go away and have that placement for 4 days a week. After that I started my Teacher training which took 6 months. I worked as a Teacher for almost a year and then the Department Manager role came up.’

Oner’s current role is to manage the Seymour department where we have young people between the ages of 11-16.  He makes sure that all the educational activities happen and opportunities are given to young people whilst ensuring that high standards of teaching are in place and followed.

For Oner, the best thing about working for Chailey Heritage School is seeing the passion others have for their work. ‘I like seeing how ideas and thoughts that we have are making amazing opportunities possible and seeing how much the young people get out of these. Also, it’s such a happy place where you try your best so that the young people explore more, understand the world more and achieve more’.

We’re currently looking for passionate and motivated people like Oner to join our team but why should you join team Chailey? Oner says: ‘If you want to do something different and rewarding, you will find your path at Chailey. At Chailey Heritage Foundation, you’ll have the opportunity to move forward and make a real difference to the lives of the young people.’

Apply for your dream job at Chailey Heritage Foundation.