HR Officer / HR Administrator
Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire - NN15 6JB
Salary: £(Apply online only) a day, based upon experience
Contract: Full-time / Term-time + inset
Start Date: ASAP Until Easter - with the potential to be extended
About the Role
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive HR professional to join our school and provide a comprehensive HR service that supports staff, leadership, and the wider school community. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring compliance with legislation, managing safer recruitment processes, and maintaining accurate staff records, while promoting best HR practice across the school.
Key Responsibilities
Legislation & Policy
Ensure annual legislative updates, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), are implemented and adhered to
Support staff and leaders with HR policies and procedures, including absence management and disciplinary processes
Keep up to date with current employment legislation and HR best practice
Recruitment & Leavers
Support safer recruitment processes across the school
Prepare and place job adverts and manage advertising options to ensure cost-effective recruitment
Upload application packs to MyNewTerm, collate applications, and prepare shortlisting packs
Organise interview schedules and manage candidate correspondence
Complete all pre-employment and safer recruitment checks
Administer volunteer appointments in line with safer recruitment legislation
Produce HR documentation including contracts, offer letters, probation documentation, and leaver paperwork
Manage staff probation processes
Work with the Senior Leadership Team to strengthen the school's employer brand and presence
HR Administration
Maintain accurate and up-to-date staff records
Manage the Single Central Record (SCR) and DBS processes for staff, volunteers, and external agencies, liaising with the Safeguarding Lead and Headteacher as required
Complete and submit the annual Workforce Census
Update staff absence, holiday entitlement, and CPD records on SIMS, providing reports when required
Manage contract variations (e.g. maternity, paternity, flexible working), liaising with payroll providers and checking monthly payroll reports
Respond to staff HR queries, escalating complex matters to the external HR Advisor when appropriate
Organise new starter inductions and leaver interviews, sharing feedback with SLT
Monitor staff absence in line with policy, identifying trends and escalating concerns to the Business Manager
Track absence patterns and produce statistical reports
Manage health-related matters including medical certificates, occupational health referrals, and leave of absence requests
Administer staff wellbeing initiatives, including the annual flu vaccination programme
About You
Previous experience in HR administration, ideally within a school or education setting
Strong understanding of safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Confident communicator with the ability to handle sensitive information professionally
Competent IT skills, with experience using SIMS and MyNewTerm desirable
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