School HR Officer

School HR Officer
Location: Croydon, South London (across 3 School Trust sites)
Salary: £32,000 - £38,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Start Date: September 2026
About the Role We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Officer to join our growing School Trust in Croydon. Supporting three schools across South London, you will play a key role in delivering a high-quality HR service to school leaders, managers and staff across all sites.
This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional with previous school-based HR experience who understands the unique challenges of working within the education sector. You will be responsible for supporting the full employee lifecycle, ensuring statutory compliance, maintaining accurate HR records and providing advice on HR policies and procedures.
The successful candidate will work closely with Headteachers, Senior Leaders and the Central Trust Team to ensure HR processes are delivered effectively and in line with current employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and Trust policies.
Key Responsibilities
Provide HR support to three schools within the Trust.
Manage the full recruitment process from advertisement through to onboarding.
Process safer recruitment checks, including DBS, references, right-to-work and pre-employment compliance.
Maintain the Single Central Record and ensure safeguarding compliance.
Support employee relations matters including absence management, disciplinary, grievance and capability procedures.
Produce contracts, offer letters and variations to employment documentation.
Maintain HR systems and personnel records, ensuring data accuracy and GDPR compliance.
Monitor staff absence and produce HR reports for senior leaders.
Support payroll administration and liaise with payroll providers.
Assist with performance management and appraisal processes.
Provide guidance to managers on HR policies, procedures and employment legislation.
Support staff wellbeing initiatives and employee engagement activities.
Ensure all HR activities comply with Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and employment law.Essential Requirements YOU MUST HAVE:
✅ Previous School HR experience within a school, academy, MAT (Multi Academy Trust) or educational setting.
✅ Strong understanding of:

Safer Recruitment
Single Central Record requirements
DBS processes
KCSIE guidance
Employment legislation and HR best practice✅ Experience managing recruitment campaigns and employee lifecycle administration.
✅ Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
✅ Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships across multiple schools.
✅ Experience using HR and payroll systems.
✅ Ability to manage a varied workload and work independently across multiple sites.
✅ A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
CIPD Level 3 or Level 5 qualification.
Experience working within a Multi Academy Trust.
Knowledge of education sector terms and conditions.
Experience supporting employee relations cases.
Experience using SIMS, Arbor or educational HR systems.What We Offer
Opportunity to work across a successful and growing School Trust.
Supportive and collaborative working environment.
Professional development and training opportunities.
Local Government Pension Scheme (where applicable).
Employee Assistance Programme.
Generous annual leave entitlement.
Opportunities for career progression within the Trust.Safeguarding Statement This School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references, medical clearance and other pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
How to Apply If you have proven school-based HR experience and are looking to join a thriving Trust supporting three schools across Croydon, we would love to hear from you.
Start Date: September 2026
Please note: Applications from candidates without previous school HR experience will not be considered