HR Business Partner - Full-time

Swale Academies Trust

• Ref:KCC-F54-118-S
• Posted:12/01/2026
• Pay:£49,723 - £55,295 FTE
• Start Date:ASAP
• App Close Date:26/01/2026 at 13:00
• Interviews:29th January 2026

Advert

• Based in East Sussex

• £49,723 - £55,295 FTE (SAT I)

• Permanent position, Full/Part Time

• Hybrid Working

• Flexible Working Considered

• Initial Interviews: 29th January 2026

Are you an experienced HR professional?

Do you want to be part of a growing team of professionals supporting our family of schools and employees?

Do you have the passion and drive to ‘make a difference’?

Our HR Team ensure outstanding service delivery is at the core of everything we do.  We are committed to providing a positive HR experience to all of our schools and employees. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our team to primarily support our schools in East Sussex.

The main purpose of the role is to provide high quality, professional human resources advice, guidance and support to schools and central services team.  (see job description for more detail).

What we want from you:

• Minimum of Level 5 CIPD qualification or equivalent relevant practical experience.
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation with an up-to-date understanding of relevant case law.
• Proven experience of providing advisory support within Education, the Local Authority or Public sector.
• Good customer and business focus, with a track record of identifying and delivering practical and innovative HR solutions within the framework of organisational policies and procedures.
• Clean UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
• Ability to travel to our schools in Kent, Bromley and East Sussex.

What we offer you:

• Competitive Salary
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 30 after five years continuous service)
• Cycle to work scheme – tax efficient scheme to acquire a bike for cycling to work
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Supportive leadership team
• Local Government Pensions Scheme
• Access to a wide range of high street discounts
• Continuous Professional Development

If this sounds like the job you are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Part of the recruitment process may involve a test, presentation, or other assessment.

Interested applicants are welcome to contact us at recruitment@swale.at

Closing Date – 26 January 2026

Initial (remote) interviews – 29th January 2026

Face-to-Face interviews – 2nd February 2026

Swale Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This post is exempt from ROA and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Applications should be made by submitting a SAT Application Form to recruitment@swale.at. Please note that we are not able to accept CVs for this vacancy.

If you experience any difficulty in completing the application form, please contact recruitment@swale.at or 01795 905989.

We are happy to discuss any support you may need during your application process as part of our reasonable adjustment approach.

In accordance with current GDPR compliance we will not keep any details / application forms on file once the position is filled.

Applications will be considered upon being received. Interviews may take place prior to the closing date.

Swale Academies Trust schools will conduct an online check of shortlisted candidates in line with the Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines.

Information about the trust

Since its creation in September 2010 Swale Academies Trust has become a strong and successful school improvement service, specialising in taking schools in Ofsted category and turning them into good schools. A glance at the most recent Ofsted reports for Westlands Primary School, Meopham School, The North School, Regis Manor School and The Sittingbourne School, will all point to the effectiveness of the Trust in bringing about change and providing and enabling excellent leadership. First and foremost Swale Academies Trust is about the provision and development of high quality leadership and management.

We don’t seek to develop clone schools that deliver education in a regimented manner. Rather, we value the development in our schools of a spirit of enquiry and action research that provides the best possible education that is right for pupils in a local setting. We do however collectively value and strive for all pupils to produce beautiful work which showcases their development over time of which they, their teachers and support staff and parents can be really proud. We are proud of our schools and we strive for a sense of shared pride in the achievements of all of our students.

Our ambition is driven by enabling schools and children to succeed. We have a wide range of excellent and highly accomplished senior leaders who lead with a sense of purpose, charisma and a set of shared values. The Trust is fortunate to be overseen by a Board of Directors who share leaders’ values and who provide the highest quality challenge and support.

Job Contact Information

• Name:HR Team
• Address:Swale Academies Trust,
  Ashdown House,
  Johnson Road,
  Sittingbourne,
  Kent,
  ME10 1JS
• Telephone: 01795 426091
• Email: recruitment@swale.at

Fax:

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Recruitment Pack