Heads HR is a specialist HR consultancy, supporting schools, academies and multi‑academy trusts across the UK. We are looking for an experienced HR Advisor with education sector expertise to join our team, providing practical, high‑quality HR advice to school‑based clients.
This role is suited to an HR professional with hands‑on schools experience who enjoys advising a range of education clients and delivering clear, compliant HR support within a consultancy environment.
Salary: £35,000 (depending on skills and experience).
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Holiday: 23 + 8 Bank Holidays.
About the Role
You will provide HR advice across the full employee lifecycle via our Helpdesk and retained HR services, working predominantly with schools, academies and trusts. The role requires strong practical knowledge of education‑specific employment frameworks and confidence in handling sensitive and safeguarding‑related matters appropriately.
You will manage your own portfolio of clients, maintain accurate case records and support Heads HR in delivering a consistent, high‑quality service.
Why Join Heads HR?
· Work with a dedicated portfolio of education‑sector clients.
· A varied HR advisory role with meaningful, hands‑on work.
· Hybrid working with flexibility and autonomy.
· Supportive team environment with clear standards and processes.
· Opportunity to develop further specialist expertise in education HR.
· Competitive Reward/Benefits Package for a SME.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide responsive, accurate HR advice to schools, academies and multi‑academy trusts.
· Advise on education‑specific terms and conditions, including:
· School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD)
· Green Book terms and conditions (support staff)
· Burgundy Book provisions, including sick pay
· Support schools with safeguarding‑related HR issues, including allegations against staff, suspensions
and investigations, working alongside senior leaders and DSLs.
· Draft and review education‑specific HR documents, including contracts, letters and investigation
documentation.
· Advise on school‑specific processes such as teacher capability, appraisal, pay progression, disciplinary
and grievance procedures.
· Maintain accurate, audit‑ready case records in line with Heads HR standards.
· Identify and escalate complex or high‑risk cases in accordance with internal procedures.
· Support client onboarding, retention and general service delivery across assigned accounts.
About You
You will already have practical HR experience within the education sector and be comfortable advising on school‑specific HR matters.
Essential:
· HR experience supporting schools, academies or MATs.
· Strong working knowledge of STPCD, Green Book and Burgundy Book, with practical application
experience.
· Experience handling safeguarding‑related HR cases in an education environment.
· Confident communicator, able to advise school leaders clearly and professionally.
· Strong written skills, with experience drafting HR documentation.
· CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) or relevant experience.
Desirable:
· Experience working in an HR consultancy or multi‑client environment.
· Familiarity with DfE guidance and education‑specific best practice.