HR Officer

HR Officer – September StartLocation: Slough
Start Date: September 2026
Salary: NJC Scale 13–23, £30,160–£35,530 per annum (pro rata)
Hours: 37 hours per week, 44.9 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent
HR Officer – Slough – September Start
We are currently recruiting for an experienced HR Officer to join a 1FE primary special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 5–11 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

This is a September start opportunity for a confident and proactive HR professional looking to take on a varied, hands-on role supporting the operational delivery of HR across the school.
Working closely with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and school leaders, the successful candidate will provide professional HR advice and support across the full employee lifecycle.
The role would suit an HR all-rounder with experience in recruitment, employee relations, absence management, contracts, HR administration and compliance. You will also have experience supporting disciplinary and capability processes and be confident providing advice and guidance to managers.
Key Responsibilities
Provide day-to-day operational HR support and advice to managers and staff.
Support the full recruitment process, including advertising, shortlisting, interviews, DBS checks, references and right-to-work checks.
Manage onboarding, induction and probation processes.
Prepare and maintain contracts of employment, variations and other HR documentation.
Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records in line with GDPR requirements.
Support disciplinary investigations and formal processes.
Provide support with capability, performance management, absence and grievance matters.
Monitor staff absence and support return-to-work processes and occupational health referrals where required.
Support the development, implementation and review of HR policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate workforce records, reports and compliance documentation.
Support safer recruitment processes, including maintaining the Single Central Record.
Coordinate HR-related training, mandatory training records and professional development administration.
Liaise with external HR advisers, payroll providers, occupational health, pension administrators, trade unions and other relevant partners.About YouThe successful candidate will ideally have:

Experience working in an HR Officer, HR Advisor or similar HR-focused role within a school
Experience managing or supporting a broad range of HR processes.
Practical experience supporting disciplinary and capability procedures.
A good working knowledge of employment law, HR policies and procedures.
Experience of recruitment and pre-employment checks, including DBS, references and right-to-work checks.
Strong administrative and organisational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
Experience maintaining confidential personnel records and HR data.
Good knowledge of payroll processes and employee terms and conditions.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff at all levels.
The ability to manage sensitive information with discretion, professionalism and integrity.
Competence in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, and experience using HR systems.CIPD Level 3, or working towards this qualification, would be desirable, as would experience of working within an education or public-sector environment and knowledge of NJC terms and conditions.
Experience of working within a special school or an understanding of SEMH/SEND would also be advantageous. However, candidates with strong transferable HR experience and a genuine commitment to inclusive education are encouraged to apply.
Why Apply?This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join a supportive school environment in a varied and rewarding role, with a September 2026 start.
You will have the opportunity to make a real contribution to the effective management, development and wellbeing of the school workforce, while supporting a setting committed to providing high-quality, inclusive education for pupils with SEMH needs.
Apply now to be considered for this September start.
The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references will be obtained in line with safer recruitment requirements