Our specialist HR Consultants have extensive experience in advising on all aspects of HR as it relates to the education sector. We have a deep understanding of the context and structure in education, regularly advising schools on highly technical and complex matters, and can bring a wealth of experience to the queries you may have. Because we work with so many schools and academies, we can provide context in relation to our advice and are always able to add value and insight to the support provided.

We work sensitively and within the ethos of your organisation to provide bespoke solutions that meet your requirements. Our services are delivered by telephone/email advice, video call or on-site visits.

We provide a partnership approach and we are available to advise on all aspects of HR and employee relations. This includes:

  • Leading on and advising on complex casework (disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, capability etc)
  • Advice and support on STPCD, Burgundy Book, Green Book and other collective agreements including advice on pay awards and appeals
  • Guidance on individual contractual terms
  • Guidance on day to day management issues
  • Recommendations and review on Trust policies and procedures
  • Overview of your contract templates, and offer letters to ensure they meet legislative requirements and reflect the Trust pay policies
  • Talent Management and succession planning
  • Assistance with the management of the customary aspects of individual cases
  • Management training
  • Recruitment process including Employer Branding
  • Advice on Trade Union relations and attendance at meeting with trade unions if required.
  • Advice on Safer Recruitment and single central record in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

We can offer a range of solutions and have no long terms contracts to tie you in:

Our HR retainer service allows you to fix the cost of your day to day requirements as well as build a relationship with a specialist team which can work alongside your senior management, Finance and HR team as well as individual schools and work with you on additional projects as necessary. This is a full telephone and email advice service, including the production of documents and letters to suit the issue that you are dealing with. We can also include in this service a package of visits. This service is costed in relation to the number of employees that you have. Please ask us for a quote.

Tailored Support for large Trusts with In-House HR Teams

Our Schools Partnership HR Retainer is designed specifically for larger school Trusts with established internal HR teams. This service provides additional capacity and strategic expertise, without duplicating your existing capabilities.

If you’re looking to supplement your internal HR provision this flexible retainer offers the perfect solution. We work alongside your team, offering trusted support on complex or high-risk matters, and ensuring you have access to up-to-date, sector-specific guidance when you need it.

You’ll benefit from:

  • On-demand advice from experienced HR Consultants with extensive experience in the education sector
  • Support via email and telephone for all HR matters, from case management to workforce planning
  • A collaborative, strategic approach aligned with your Trust’s goals and values

We understand the dynamics of large academy Trusts and are committed to being a responsive and knowledgeable partner, helping you build capacity and plan confidently for the future.

We offer a comprehensive range of HR training sessions designed to support both experienced senior managers and those new to management roles. Our aim is to equip your team with the practical knowledge and confidence needed to handle key people-management responsibilities effectively.

Each training session is approximately one hour long and includes time for questions and discussion. Sessions can be delivered live via Zoom or Microsoft Teams and can be recorded for future use—ensuring that no one misses out. We also offer the option to tailor content specifically to your organisation’s needs.

Cost: £500 per session (plus VAT)

Training topics include:

  • Handling Grievance and Disciplinary Issues: A Practical Guide for Line Managers
  • Conducting Workplace Investigations
  • Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
  • Managing Sickness Absence
  • Handling Difficult Conversations
  • Effective Performance Management
  • Managing Poor Performance

Our goal is to help your organisation adopt best practices, prevent issues before they arise, and confidently manage challenges when they do occur.

You choose a set amount of telephone or email advice you would like each month, for example 10 hours, and we will quote you at a preferential rate. This will be less than our standard hourly rate and there is no expiration on the hours you purchase. With this service you will get written or telephone advice and can also include visits.

Workplace mediation is a valuable alternative method of dispute resolution, where the working relationship between two parties have broken down and informal line management interventions have been unsuccessful.  Mediation can be used in place of formal time-consuming grievance processes or may be recommended as an outcome of a formal grievance, as an aid to rebuilding the working relationship. 

Workplace mediation is completely voluntary and is conducted by an experienced independent mediator, who does not impose or suggest solutions but instead asks questions of the parties to help identify the underlying causes of their difficulties using collaborative, problem-solving techniques. The mediator’s role is to create a safe, confidential environment where the parties are treated equally and can be open and honest with each other. The mediator owns the process and facilitates constructive dialogue, but the solution is agreed and owned by the parties. 

The overriding aim of workplace mediation is to restore and maintain the employment relationship wherever possible. This means the focus is on working together to move forward, with an aim to creating written agreements. 

Key Benefits:

  • Successful mediation can rebuild relationships and create a more productive workplace.
  • Reduction in management time and cost managing the conflict formally where informal interventions have not been successful. 
  • The use of an independent and impartial mediation service demonstrates your organisation's commitment to resolve the dispute fairly and constructively.
  • It encourages the parties to take responsibility to find and agree their own solutions.
  • There is less likelihood of legal procedures.
  • Improvement of parties’ communication skills, enabling them to resolve their differences more quickly and effectively moving forward. 
  • Reduces workplace stress, sickness absence and attrition. 

If you would like a confidential informal discussion about workplace mediation and whether it could be a suitable way to resolve an internal dispute, please contact Penny Walters, Principal HR Consultant and Workplace Mediator PennyWalters@StoneKing.co.uk

Rather than relying on promotional material, we refer you to our clients - all of whom are schools and academies just like you - to explain how they have found working with us:

“A galactic difference in quality from that experienced with our previous HR provider. The main benefits being speed, quality and ‘can do’ rather than a risk-averse approach”.

Chelmsford Learning Partnership

“The HR team at Stone King are exceptional! As Head of HR I can confidently focus on strategic HR as I know all schools in our MAT are being well supported by the HR team. Thank you, HR team,”

Greenshaw Learning Trust

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“The HR team at Stone King have a deep understanding of the issues in the sector and years of experience in advising education clients which really shows. They always provide options for us in terms of managing employee related queries and are readily available to assist us when we need them”.

South Pennine Academies Trust

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“Is the retainer value for money? Yes. Not only for the advice offered and the speed of the service but also the considerate way advice is given. Care is taken to ascertain the real issues and the advice supplied is designed to resolve issues rather than be overly legalistic... Stone King have always been extremely effective in the HR and legal advice they offer us. In addition, they have been willing to act as sounding boards to help us formulate our thinking.”

The Hoddleston Trust

“I did check which firm they used and smiled when I found it was Stone King”.

Ark Schools

What our clients say

"We transitioned to Stone King as our HR consultants, and their service has been exceptional. In challenging situations, they consistently delivered high-quality, timely advice that met and often exceeded my expectations. Their expertise and reliability make them an invaluable partner for our HR needs."

Trinity Church of England High School Feedback 2025

The law and practice referred to in this article or webinar has been paraphrased or summarised. It might not be up-to-date with changes in the law and we do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided at the time of reading. It should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice in relation to a specific set of circumstances.