Head of Learning - Full-time

The Beacon, Folkestone And Walmer

• Ref:KCC886-7043-466T
• Posted:26/05/2026
• Pay:L19 to L23
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:01/06/2026 at 08:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Strategic Head of Learning

The Beacon is entering an exciting new phase of growth as we scale our exceptional practice across multiple sites. With our learning community expanding into new territory, we are committed to maintaining the consistency, ambition and integrity that define who we are.

As we grow, the strength of our values driven leadership will be the anchor that keeps our vision clear and our standards consistently high. We are now seeking an outstanding strategic leader to help shape, strengthen and sustain excellence across The Beacon Folkestone, Walmer and Castle Hill.

Across our schools, many elements of our work are sector‑leading—yet to us they feel embedded into every day. These include total collaboration such as whole‑community involvement in school improvement planning, genuinely developmental peer‑led coaching and a culture where professional growth is embedded, not imposed. As we scale-up the great things we do, we are determined that these remain core strengths, acting as a springboard for greater things and are not diluted as we grow.

About the Role

This newly established senior leadership post will play a pivotal role in ensuring that curriculum, teaching, learning and pupil progress remain exceptional across all Beacon sites. Working alongside Heads of School at an equivalent senior level, the postholder will provide strategic direction, consistency and clarity—ensuring that “exceptional as standard” is lived, not stated.

Over time, this role will collaborate closely with Heads of School and senior leaders to ensure they have the insight, tools and confidence to evaluate their impact and drive continuous improvement. Communication, collaboration and the ability to empower others—not instruct—are essential qualities.

Core Responsibilities

• Teaching and Learning — providing a whole‑community strategic overview
• Curriculum development — enhancing and evolving curriculum design across sites
• Pupil progress — ensuring progress is understood in its fullest, most meaningful form
• Achievement — driving high expectations and outcomes
• Moderation — embedding robust, developmental moderation processes
• ITT and ECT development — shaping the next generation of exceptional practitioners
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering others— rather than directing them—are essential qualities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and young people. All roles require an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

If this opportunity sparks your curiosity and you would like to explore how this role will shape the next chapter of The Beacon, we warmly invite you to contact us to find out more.

Contact:
HR team on
📞 01303 847555
📧 hr@thebeacon.kent.sch.uk

Information about the school

The Beacon is a multi site, all age specialist school (4–19 years) providing high quality education for 480 pupils with complex needs, profound and severe learning difficulties, and physical and sensory impairments. Our main site is located on Park Farm Road in Folkestone, our newest provision in Walmer opened in September 2025. We also operate a 10 place satellite provision at Castle Hill Primary School and work collaboratively with Beacon Plus as an extended partner of the school.

The Beacon is built on a strong culture of cooperation and a commitment to personalised learning. Our child centred, needs led curriculum draws on the EYS Foundation Stage, the National Curriculum, and relevant accreditation pathways, with an emphasis on Life Skills, Social Skills, and holistic development.

As a centre of expertise, we also deliver training and support for mainstream schools through our outreach team. This dedicated team provides professional development, advice, and guidance to colleagues across the region. Our conference and meeting facilities regularly host nationally recognised speakers and professional learning events.

We are also home to a Multi Agency Support Hub, one of four centres across the county, bringing together NHS professionals, paediatricians, speech and occupational therapists, nursing teams, children’s social care, and portage services. This integrated approach strengthens the support available to children and families across the Folkestone and Hythe district.

At The Beacon, our shared moral purpose is to improve educational outcomes and life chances for all young people. We believe excellence is achieved through partnership, collaboration, and reflective practice. Our peer to peer coaching model and staff led learning communities help ensure consistently high quality teaching and a culture of continuous improvement. We expect the highest standards from ourselves and all stakeholders, creating an environment where every learner can thrive.

If you share our values and are inspired by our mission, we look forward to hearing from you.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Sasha Gooding
• Address:Park Farm Road, Folkestone, Salisbury Road, 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
• Head of Learning Job Description