Academy: Trust Central
Category: Central Services HR/Payroll
Start Date: March 2026
Closing Date: Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Job Weeks: All Year Round
Hours: 30 hours per week
Type: Fixed Term, Part Time
Job Reference: FEB
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale F: £23,187 to £25,152 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£28,598 - £31,022 full time/full year equivalent)
Fixed Term: until 30th September 2026
Part Time: 30 hours per week
Working Weeks: 52 weeks
Start Date: March 2026
You'll work from our central offices in Norwich (currently NR1 2PW), which will be relocating to new, modern facilities in Cringleford (NR4 7FU) in March 2026.
We are seeking a highly organised and detail-driven Assistant HR Advisor (Maternity Cover) to join our Central Services Team. This role is ideal for someone who excels in administration, compliance, and maintaining accurate HR processes within a busy and supportive team.
You will play a key role in supporting HR operations across Inspiration Trust academies by ensuring all HR administrative activities are completed to a high standard, fully compliant with legislation and Trust policy, and delivered with accuracy and professionalism.
What You'll Be Doing
Providing high-quality HR administration, ensuring all documentation, processes, and records are accurate, consistent, and completed within deadlines.
Supporting the People Manager and HR Advisors with compliance-focused HR activities, including pre-employment checks, onboarding, offboarding, and maintaining employee records.
Ensuring legal, regulatory, and policy compliance across HR documentation and processes.
Managing HR inbox queries and offering timely, customer-focused support to employees and line managers.
Maintaining HR data and producing compliant, accurate entries on HR systems.
Supporting HR casework administration, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation, and note-taking where required.
Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all HR activities.
About You
You will be a strong administrator with excellent organisational skills and a passion for delivering a reliable, compliance-led HR service.
You will be:
Detail-focused, methodical, and committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy.
Confident using HR systems and Office 365, with the ability to manage multiple administrative tasks in a fast-paced setting.
Professional and approachable, able to provide clear and supportive communication to HR colleagues, employees and line managers.
Able to work independently in the office, while also contributing positively to a collaborative HR team.
Knowledgeable about HR processes and employment regulations, with a commitment to maintaining compliance at all times.
This role is ideal for someone who already works in an administration role, enjoying process-driven work and thrives in an environment where accuracy, reliability, and confidentiality are essential.
Essential Criteria
CIPD Level 3 (currently working towards it / or a keen interest)
Strong numeracy and literacy skills
Experience working in a busy administrative or HR environment
Confident using ICT and Microsoft Office 365
Calm, professional, and courteous approach
Ability to work independently and use initiative
A genuine interest in HR and supporting the education sector
Desirable Criteria
Experience working in HR within an education environment
A CIPD qualification
Experience supporting managers across different functions
Experience contributing to change processes or HR improvements
Why Join Inspiration Trust
At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You'll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you'll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.
We offer:
Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions.
Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs. *
Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
Free parking at most sites.
Personalised CPD and development programmes.
A structured and specific induction programme.
* Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
About Us
Inspiration Trust is a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background.
The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country's leading educational thinkers and practitioners.
We believe it is important to support every school by centralising key support services. This approach reduces workload for senior leaders, provides value for money across a range of integrated services, and ensures that our academies benefit from a strong local support structure that promotes the sharing of best practice. As a Trust, we continually review our services to ensure they remain responsive to the needs of individual academies.
Our Central Services team, currently based at The Hewett Academy site in Norwich, provides expert support across HR, Payroll, Recruitment, Finance, Governance, Operations, ICT, Marketing, and Estates - enabling our schools to focus on what they do best: teaching and learning.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Norwich, click here.
Next Steps
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the "Planning your application" section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.
To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Thursday 5th March 2026
Interview date: Friday 13th March 2026
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.