Meet Our Therapy team

Talia
Occupational Therapist

Talia studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Following her graduation, she worked in a private paediatric practice focusing on sensory integration for children and adults. During this time, she received her qualification in Sensory Integration through the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI). After moving to London in October 2019, Talia began working at Oaklands School through the NHS, joining the school permanently as an in-house therapist in September 2021. Talia believes strongly in a multidisciplinary approach and in recognising the strengths of every student at Oaklands. Alongside her clinical work, she is committed to supporting and developing the therapy team to ensure that all students receive consistent, meaningful support that helps them reach their full potential.

Zaina

Zaina studied Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London, and joined Oaklands School in November 2025. 

Zaina has experience working in SEN schools, with a particular interest in Autism. She prioritises independence and empowerment with a strong focus on an individualised approach and choice-making.

Katiso

Katiso has 7 years of experience in the field of occupational therapy. She studied a bachelor's of science degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. She has worked in a private paediatric practice which provided OT services for children with sensory integration needs within the school setting. Following that, she worked as a community-based therapist in the mental health field where she provided therapy for children and adults with mental health needs.  She started her role at Oaklands school in December 2025.  Katiso is passionate about early childhood intervention and strongly believes in a holistic and multi-disciplinary team approach in order for the children to reach their optimal potential. As a mother, she values the importance of supporting parents and families with children with special needs.

Keziah

Keziah studied Occupational Therapy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. She has over seven years of paediatric experience in supporting children with a wide range of needs. Since joining Oaklands in 2022, Keziah has been committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred therapy that promotes independence and celebrates each child’s unique strengths, while also prioritising family involvement and support.

She has a particular interest in working with learners who have profound medical and learning difficulties, as well as those with physical disabilities, with her focus being centred on accessibility for all. 

Preti

Preti studied Speech and Language Therapy at Birmingham City University. Preti has over 12 years of experience working in a variety of settings, including SEN settings and the NHS. After working for Oaklands through the NHS she has now joined our school therapy team on a permanent basis. Preti has an interest in Autism, as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Preti enjoys working in a multidisciplinary team, continuing to promote communication at school as well as home and supporting students, school staff and parents in their communication journey.

Rachel

Rachel studied Speech and Language Therapy at De Montfort University. She joined the Oaklands School Therapy Team in September 2024. She has a particular interest in promoting independence through communication and takes a child-led approach to therapy, ensuring that each session is meaningful and engaging for the young people she works with. She has experience using a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and in tailoring support to suit individual needs. 

 Tammy

Tammy studied Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She started working for Oaklands School in January 2025. Tammy has attended multiple trainings surrounding Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) use with GLP learners. She prioritises a child-led approach during her intervention and believes in tailoring her sessions according to the unique interests of her students. Tammy aims to grow her students' individual voices across all environments through a total communication approach. She strives for continuous learning and enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Heidi

Heidi is a Speech and Language Therapist who joined Oaklands in September 2025 after graduating from the University of Essex. Originally from Hong Kong, Heidi moved to the UK in 2022 and brings valuable cultural awareness and sensitivity to her work. She is fluent in English and a native speaker of Cantonese and Mandarin, which enables her to support children and families from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Heidi has a strong passion for working within paediatric SEN settings and is committed to supporting children to develop their communication skills so they can fully access learning and everyday life. She enjoys working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and is committed to lifelong learning to continually develop her practice. As a therapist, she is enthusiastic about contributing to an inclusive, equitable, and child-centred service.