HR & Cover Manager

Drumbeat School and ASD Service, London, BR1 5LE

18 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  13 April 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  26 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 7am to 3pm; Monday to Friday; Term time plus 4 weeks - Total 42 weeks
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Approximately £41,150 - £42,500
• Pay scale: PO1 (Inner London)

What skills and experience we're looking for

About Drumbeat School

Drumbeat School is a sector‑leading specialist provision for children and young people aged 4–19 diagnosed with Autism. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every pupil can thrive.

As a multi‑site service with complex operational demands, we place high value on professional, well‑structured systems that enable staff and pupils to succeed.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised HR & Cover Manager to lead the school’s HR function and coordinate daily staff cover arrangements. This is a key operational role with responsibility for providing professional HR advice to senior leaders and governors, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding and data protection, and maintaining staffing continuity each day.

The role includes responsibility for coordinating morning cover arrangements for teaching assistants only. The postholder will initially work alongside an Assistant Headteacher to learn the school’s cover model before taking full responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Lead and manage all core HR activity, including employee relations, absence management and performance processes.

• Provide professional HR advice to the Executive Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team and Governors.

• Manage HR casework in line with legislation, school policies and Local Authority guidance.

• Coordinate Occupational Health referrals and associated follow‑up.

Recruitment and Safeguarding

• Manage end‑to‑end recruitment processes in line with DfE Safer Recruitment requirements.

• Ensure all pre‑employment checks are completed accurately for staff, agency workers and volunteers.

• Maintain accurate staffing records and compliance documentation.

Cover Coordination

• Organise and coordinate daily teaching assistant cover arrangements, primarily during the morning.

• Work closely with leaders to prioritise pupil safety, EHCP needs and operational continuity.

• Liaise with staff and supply agencies where required, maintaining clear and professional communication.

Compliance and Systems

• Maintain the Single Central Record and ensure it is audit‑ready at all times.

• Act as the school’s operational lead for GDPR, including Subject Access Requests.

• Ensure staff data on Arbor is accurate and supports statutory returns and workforce reporting.

What the school offers its staff

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us. Our benefits package includes, but is not limited to:

• £110 towards new glasses, annually

• £110 towards routine dental treatment, annually

• £200 towards complementary therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic adjustments, annually

• £100 towards alternative therapies such as reflexology, homeopathy and Indian head massage, annually

• Up to 8 face‑to‑face counselling sessions per year

• 24/7 Employee Support Service

• Discounted gym membership

• Access to a virtual GP

• Benefits available for up to four dependent children

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Interviews will be held w/c 20 April 2026.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Application Form.docx - 2.43 MB (opens in new tab)

HR and Cover Manager March 26.pdf - 158 KB (opens in new tab)

About Drumbeat School and ASD Service

• School type: Special school, ages 4 to 19
• School size: 294 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Drumbeat School and ASD Service website
• Email address: HR@drumbeat.lewisham.sch.uk
• Phone number: 020 8698 9738
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/drumbeat-school-and-asd-service

A community Special School for children with ASD

Arranging a visit to Drumbeat School and ASD Service

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email HR@drumbeat.lewisham.sch.uk.

School location

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