The Beacon

HR Manager - Full time

Overview 

The Beacon is seeking an experienced HR Manager to join our Central Services Team, working across both the Folkestone and Walmer sites. The successful candidate will lead the full generalist HR remit and serve as a trusted advisor in a dynamic and supportive environment. This is a hands‑on operational role with opportunities for strategic contribution, supporting strong HR practice across all sites of the Beacon community.

 Information about our school 

The Beacon is a multi-site, all-age school (4-19 years) offering 460 pupils with complex needs, profound and severe learning difficulties and physical and sensory impairments a wide range of educational experiences. The main site is Park Farm Road, Folkestone and the final stage of our newest provision in Walmer has opened as of September 2025. We also have a small 10 place satellite provision hosted by Castle Hill Primary School; in addition, Beacon Plus which is a collaborative partner of The Beacon School.

The Beacon has a strong cooperative ethos and culture, building on personalised learning to ensure all students thrive within school and beyond. Learning at The Beacon offers a child-centred ‘needs led’ curriculum, which incorporates elements of the EY Foundation Stage, National Curriculum and external accreditation as appropriate, including Life Skills and Social Skills.

We will also continue to provide training and support for mainstream schools through the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service team managed by the school. This team offers support, training, outreach advice and guidance to our mainstream colleagues. In addition, the Beacon has both conference and meeting facilities and regularly hosts nationally renowned speakers on its courses.

The Beacon also hosts a Multi-Agency Support Hub. This is one of four centres across the County that brings NHS colleagues, paediatricians, speech and occupational therapists, and nursing services, alongside children’s social services and portage colleagues into one cohesive centre. We are proud of the strong partnerships this brings to benefit the children and families of Shepway.

At The Beacon, we are driven by our shared moral purpose to do all that we can to improve educational outcomes and life chances for all our young people. We believe strongly that the best way to do this is through the partnership, collaboration and a commitment to work together to achieve excellence in all we do. Nothing says this more than our peer to peer reflection and coaching groups that exist throughout the school. This total collaboration and investment from staff drives our teaching and learning to be the best it can be. As we have outlined at the beginning of this narrative, we expect the highest possible standards of ourselves and all stakeholders, believing that in this way we can maximise learning and develop a truly reflective learning community.

If this sounds like the kind of environment in which you would thrive, then we look forward to hearing from you.

Salary & Benefits

Salary from £34,241 to £36,363 per year

  • a comprehensive induction programme for all staff
  • an established mentoring and coaching system throughout the school
  • on-site parking
  • on site cafe
  • great Local Government Pension scheme
  • wellbeing days
  • extensive training
  • opportunities to gain qualifications
  • confidential staff counselling service
  • annual flu vaccinations
  • employee Assistance Programme - free and confidential advice on a variety of subjects ranging from physical and mental health to financial help

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00–16:00; Friday, 8:00–15:30 (37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year)

The successful candidate will have previous experience and knowledge of the following:

  • Line Management of an HR function 
  • Employee Relations
  • Recruitment
  • Performance Management
  • Payroll
  • Training and Development
  • Staff Wellbeing
  • Policies, Compliance and GDPR

The Beacon as a whole school prides itself on providing our pupils with much more than academic development and successes; we will collectively not let anything stand in the way of developing the best possible experiences and pathways for our pupils.

At The Beacon you will find you are amongst like-minded people who are willing to commit to this challenge for our exceptional young people.

The Beacon is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Please note that this position is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and two satisfactory references. 

Subject to the volume of candidates, we may shortlist on a rolling basis and/or close the role before the end date shown.

 Location

The Beacon School
Park Farm Road
Folkestone
Kent
CT19 5DN

Deadline and how to apply

Please apply using the following link on Kent Teach HR Manager Human Resources at the Beacon, Folkestone and Walmer

Applications close on Friday 8th February 2026.

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