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 INDHBB