HR Officer

HR Officer

Are you an experienced HR Officer with a passion for working with people and a keen eye for detail?

If so, we would love to hear from you as we have a fantastic opportunity supporting the smooth implementation of HR processes in Northampton High School.

Northampton High is part of a cluster of four GDST schools. As part of this cluster, you will be expected to collaborate with HR colleagues across the cluster. You will also work in close collaboration with the HR Cluster Manager and the Trust Office HR Business Partner.

You will provide a high quality, efficient HR service for the school, providing effective administrative support for the employee lifecycle with particular focus on recruitment, payroll, employee records and operational HR administration. The critical purpose of this role is to undertake the required safer recruitment checks and accurately maintain the Single Central Register to ensure compliance is always met. You will also support the HR Manager (cluster) in all HR-related matters at school level, as a first point of contact to support colleagues, managers and SLT members, as appropriate.

We are looking for someone with strong verbal and written communication skills, proven experience of handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy, and the confidence to challenge compliance with HR policies at all levels. Excellent IT skills are required, particularly in using SIMS and Microsoft/Google applications.

Keeping calm under pressure and being able to work to tight deadlines are also key so organisational skills and high attention to detail are critical.

Previous experience in a busy HR role is essential, preferably within an educational setting. CIPD Level 3 is desirable, or demonstrable equivalent HR-related experience of working at this level.

Benefits:

As part of the GDST, the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

\n
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment, and competitive salaries and pay progression
\n
• Membership of the GDST flexible pension scheme (18% employer contribution and flexibility to generate a pay top-up of up to 10% of pensionable salary in lieu of pension)
\n
• 36-week school year (including INSET days) across 3 terms, with a 2-week half term in the Autumn
\n
• Normal teaching hours between 08:20 and 15:35 (depending on timetable for part-time staff
\n
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities and training grants for qualifications
\n
• Free life assurance benefit
\n
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured, offering free 24-hour counselling, wellbeing support and advice services
\n
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
\n
• Free lunches for all staff during term time (equivalent to at least £900 per year)
\n
• In-school staff wellbeing activities such as yoga, fitness classes, wellbeing walks
\n
• Interest-free loans for training, computer purchase and travel season ticket loans
\n
• A Cycle to Work scheme
\n
• Good transport links and free parking
\n

About the School:

Northampton High School, part of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), is an independent girls' day school with a reputation for academic excellence, strong pastoral care and a wide breadth of extra-curricular activity. We offer a Nursery, Junior and Senior School across one site and we are proud to be at the forefront of education for girls and a strong voice in promoting opportunities for young women.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included. The GDST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Our reference: SE4037

Vacancy: HR Officer

Location: Northampton

Salary: FTE £30,723-£40,989

Hours: Full time, 36 hours per week, all year round.

Required from: January 2026

Contract: Permanent

Smart Hire are advertising on behalf of Northampton High School.