--- title: Lead teacher ridgeway description: Read the welcome message from the Head of Site at the outstanding Orange Tree School for children with SEMH needs aged 11 to 18. --- [![OTS logo](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png?width=1391&height=797&name=OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png "OTS logo")](https://orangetreeschool.org?hsLang=en) [![OTS logo](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png?width=1391&height=797&name=OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png "OTS logo")](https://orangetreeschool.org?hsLang=en) - [About](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/en-gb/) - [Welcome](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/welcome-message) - [Why OTS?](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/why-ots) - [Vision and ethos](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/vision-and-ethos) - [The Orange Tree approach](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/the-orange-tree-approach) - [Meet our team](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/meet-the-team) - [Inspection reports](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/inspection-reports) - [Policies](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/en-gb/policies) - [Advisory Board](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/governance-and-advisory-board) - [Learning](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/learning) - [Curriculum](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/curriculum-overview) - [Exam Results](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/exam-results-2026) - [Subjects](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/subjects-) - [Inclusion](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/inclusion-ots) - Case Studies - [Student life](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/student-life) - Term dates - [Term dates 2026-2027](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/term-dates-2026-2027) - [Key Dates](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/orange-tree-school-key-dates) - [The School Day](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/the-school-day) - [Attendance and Punctuality](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/attendance-and-punctuality) - [Therapy](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/therapy) - [School Meals](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/school-meals) - [Clubs](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/clubs) - [Admissions](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-overview) - [Overview](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-overview) - [Parents](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-parents) - [Parent Portal](https://orangetreeschool.isamshosting.cloud/auth/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fauth%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DiSAMS.Portal.Cloud.Parents%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Forangetreeschool.parents.isamshosting.cloud%252Fcallback%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Doffline_access%2520openid%2520iSAMS.CloudPortals.Api%2520iSAMS.Auth.ChangeAccountPassword.Invoke%26state%3D6288a9c4f299441b9ae0b37568787e77%26code_challenge%3DfuBUltrIR0eagPE4KtXBt1EUQxJW5HVFsvRZBXHs9fI%26code_challenge_method%3DS256%26response_mode%3Dquery%26acr_values%3DportalType%253AParents) - [Local authority funding route](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/local-authority-funded-route-parent) - [FAQs](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-faqs) - [News](https://orangetreeschool.org/blog) - [Newsletters](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/newsletters) - [Events](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/events) - [Feedback](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/feedback) - Ridgeway Site - [Lead Teacher Welcome](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/lead-teacher-ridgeway) - [A Typical day at Ridgeway](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/ridgeway-typical-day) - [Pastoral](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/pastoral-ridgeway) - School Information - Meet the Team - [Admissions](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/-admissions) - [Term Dates](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/term-dates-ridgeway-2026-2027) - [Exam Results](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/exam-results-2026) - [School Magazine](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/book-club-and-magazine) - [Academic programme](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/academic-programme) - Contact Us - [Work with us](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/careers) - [Contact Details](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/contact) [![Orange Tree School](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png?width=1391&height=797&name=OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png)](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/?hsLang=en) Menu ![Orange Tree School](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png?width=1391&height=797&name=OrangeTreeSchool%20logo_large.png) Close × Explore our school - [About](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/en-gb/) - [Welcome](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/welcome-message) - [Why OTS?](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/why-ots) - [Vision and ethos](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/vision-and-ethos) - [The Orange Tree approach](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/the-orange-tree-approach) - [Meet our team](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/meet-the-team) - [Inspection reports](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/inspection-reports) - [Policies](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/en-gb/policies) - [Advisory Board](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/governance-and-advisory-board) - [Learning](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/learning) - [Curriculum](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/curriculum-overview) - [Exam Results](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/exam-results-2026) - [Subjects](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/subjects-) - [Inclusion](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/inclusion-ots) - Case Studies - [Student life](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/student-life) - Term dates - [Term dates 2026-2027](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/term-dates-2026-2027) - [Key Dates](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/orange-tree-school-key-dates) - [The School Day](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/the-school-day) - [Attendance and Punctuality](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/attendance-and-punctuality) - [Therapy](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/therapy) - [School Meals](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/school-meals) - [Clubs](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/clubs) - [Admissions](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-overview) - [Overview](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-overview) - [Parents](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-parents) - [Parent Portal](https://orangetreeschool.isamshosting.cloud/auth/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fauth%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DiSAMS.Portal.Cloud.Parents%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Forangetreeschool.parents.isamshosting.cloud%252Fcallback%26response_type%3Dcode%26scope%3Doffline_access%2520openid%2520iSAMS.CloudPortals.Api%2520iSAMS.Auth.ChangeAccountPassword.Invoke%26state%3D6288a9c4f299441b9ae0b37568787e77%26code_challenge%3DfuBUltrIR0eagPE4KtXBt1EUQxJW5HVFsvRZBXHs9fI%26code_challenge_method%3DS256%26response_mode%3Dquery%26acr_values%3DportalType%253AParents) - [Local authority funding route](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/local-authority-funded-route-parent) - [FAQs](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-faqs) - [News](https://orangetreeschool.org/blog) - [Newsletters](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/newsletters) - [Events](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/events) - [Feedback](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/feedback) - Ridgeway Site - [Lead Teacher Welcome](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/lead-teacher-ridgeway) - [A Typical day at Ridgeway](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/ridgeway-typical-day) - [Pastoral](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/pastoral-ridgeway) - School Information - Meet the Team - [Admissions](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/-admissions) - [Term Dates](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/term-dates-ridgeway-2026-2027) - [Exam Results](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/exam-results-2026) - [School Magazine](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/book-club-and-magazine) - [Academic programme](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/academic-programme) - Contact Us - [Work with us](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/careers) - [Contact Details](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/contact) # Lead Teacher Ridgeway - Welcome  As a Hospital School, we work alongside a dedicated multidisciplinary team. Together, we support students in a truly personalised way—helping them rediscover confidence, set meaningful goals, and take practical steps toward reintegration into education and the community.  ![hero-jobbies-7](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/395201/hero-jobbies-7.svg) # ***“Our vision at Ellern Mede School is that every child, regardless of the barriers they are facing, should still receive an outstanding academic and creative education.”*** Our school is a unique environment where education and medical care are closely integrated to support the needs of every young person in our care. We recognise that many of our students are facing complex health challenges, and our priority is to ensure that their education continues within a supportive, flexible and nurturing setting. Working in close partnership with medical professionals, therapists and families, we create an approach where learning is both meaningful and responsive to each student’s circumstances. Every young person follows an individually planned programme that reflects their medical needs, emotional wellbeing and personal ambitions. Alongside care and understanding, we hold **high expectations for every learner**. Illness should never mean a loss of opportunity, and we believe strongly in each student’s ability to think, achieve and succeed. Our role is to help them remain connected to learning, build confidence and resilience, and prepare for a successful return to their school or the next stage of education. At the heart of our work is a simple belief: **every young person deserves to feel valued, capable and hopeful about their future**, whatever challenges they may be experiencing. We are proud of the collaborative community we have built, where education, care and compassion work together to help each learner continue moving forward. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our school. ![Barbara](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hubfs/Barbara.jfif)  Barbara Maleki  # Discover More ![front hero-1](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hubfs/front%20hero-1.jpeg) ### About Us - ![book](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hubfs/book.png) ### Learning - ![puzzle](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hubfs/puzzle.png) ### Community - [![footer\_combined](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/footer_combined.png?width=1012&height=150&name=footer_combined.png "footer_combined")](https://orangetreeschool.org?hsLang=en) [reception@orangetreeschool.org](mailto:reception@ellernmede.org) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576712743736) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf&trkInfo=AQHjj8eyvhmPzwAAAYFi-A9ob0F5WXTRrv08goo8FQbx9S3v-HJHh01Epo5e1trOb11fxDqYxJngg_sEbdkIu5k2Uu1sI4WUfyHlSTdw2g_Ds1mwrYQKL67zYRoM8x79d8h7wbQ=&original_referer=&sessionRedirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2F83112644) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/orangetreeschool?igsh=dWM1YzljM2pscTNy) Follow us on Facebook - Get in Touch - 020 8148 1700 - Orange Tree School, Oakleigh Park North, London, N20 9AR ### Company - Quick Links - [Home](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/en-gb/) - [Admissions](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/admissions-overview) - [News](https://orangetreeschool.org/blog) - [Contact us](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/contact) ### Resources Registered office: Ellern Mede Ridgeway, Holcombe Hill, Mill Hill, London, NW7 4HX, England Ellern Mede Schools Company reg no: 10642453 Orange Tree School | Department for Education: 302/6118 | URN: 135072 | UK PRN: 10017857 © 2023 Ellern Mede School | [T&Cs](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/website-terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/privacy-policy?hsLang=en) | [Cookie Policy](https://www.orangetreeschool.org/cookie-policy?hsLang=en)