HR Manager - Full-time

The Beacon, Folkestone And Walmer

• Ref:KCC886-7043-454S
• Posted:13/01/2026
• Pay:Kent Scheme G £34,241-£36,363
• Start Date:Subject to checks
• App Close Date:08/02/2026 at 20:00
• Interviews:w/c 9 February 2026

Advert

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 the Beacon community.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00–16:00; Friday, 8:00–15:30 (37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) Salary: KSG £34,421–£36,363

The Beacon prides itself on offering our pupils with far more than academic development and success. We are committed to providing the best possible experiences and pathways for every child. At our school, you will find a community of like‑minded, passionate individuals who are dedicated to meeting the challenge of supporting our exceptional young people.

We offer the following.

• a comprehensive induction programme
• access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• a well‑established mentoring and coaching culture
• wide range of CPD opportunities.
• Staff benefit from a supportive leadership team and the chance to pursue personal and professional development.

For further information about the role or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Sasha Gooding, Head of Operations, at sasha.gooding@thebeacon.kent.sch.uk 

The Beacon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

The school reserves the right to close this vacancy sooner than the date advertised, subject to the volume of candidates.  

Information about the 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.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Katie Lonergan
• Address:Folkestone And Walmer , Folkestone And Walmer , Kent, CT195DN CT147QJ
• Telephone: 01303 847555
• Email: hr@thebeacon.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Candidate Pack
• Job Description and Person Specification