HR Officer

Salary: (Depending on Candidate Base, Skills and Experience)  - based on Grade 6:  (Spine Points 18-20)  – £35,517-£36,582 per annum (NJC Outer London)               

Contract:  Permanent and Full-Time 

Location:  Croydon Hub Schools and Central Team Office in Tower Hill, London, as well as opportunities to work from home

Hours per Week: 37 Hours per Week, 52 Weeks per Year (Monday-Thursday - 09:00am - 5:30pm, Friday - 09:00am - 5:00pm)

Start Date: 1st August 2026 at the earliest

The Role:

The Inspire Partnership is looking for an exceptional individual to join our supportive, collaborative HR team. This position provides a superb career development path for an established HR professional, an aspiring officer, or a senior administrator with a background in schools. You will be responsible for essential HR operational delivery across our Croydon hub, including West Thornton Primary School, Woodside Primary School, and Forest Academy.

Dedicated to serving the diverse communities of Greenwich, Medway, and Croydon, our thriving education Trust is committed to its core mission: providing children with a life-changing education. We achieve this through close collaboration between our schools to transform the lives of our pupils and their families.

As a key member of our growing Central Team, the HR Officer will drive this mission forward by delivering critical services to our Croydon schools and supporting Trust-wide HR projects. With our ongoing expansion of professional support across ten primary schools, this is a pivotal moment to join us and access significant opportunities for professional growth.

Following a recent reorganisation, we are entering an exciting new chapter and require a highly organised, resilient Human Resources Officer. The role requires regular travel to all hub schools throughout the week, alongside attendance at our London office for Central Team meetings.

This opportunity is perfectly suited for a professional with a background in HR Administration who is confident in providing first-line support to staff and school leaders, and who is ready to take the next step in their career.

What You Will Do:

• Recruitment & Compliance: Support Headteachers with adverts, interviews, and employment checks, ensuring all Single Central Records (SCRs) meet strict KCSIE legal requirements.

• Systems & Payroll: You will have the opportunity to contribute to our objective of developing and effectively utilising our new HR, recruitment, and compliance systems (MyNewTerm, Reed MSP, National Colleges and SAMpeople). Working closely with our Finance colleagues, you will also process timely payroll for starters, leavers, contract variations, absences, and overtime.

• HR Operations: Serve as the crucial first point of contact for routine HR queries, provide vital support during formal HR meetings, prepare records for audits, and administer staff benefits, as well as cover for other HR colleagues during periods of absence.

We Are Looking For Someone Who is:

• Capable, confident, and experienced in a school setting, ready to hit the ground running from day one.

• Proactive and thrives on managing their own workload effectively.

• Highly computer-literate professional with strong, demonstrable HR administration experience.

• Qualified to A-level (or equivalent) with a strong commitment to completing a CIPD Level 5 qualification.

• A diplomatic problem-solver with excellent attention to detail, capable of working autonomously, staying calm under pressure, and managing conflicting priorities.

• Driven to continually improve working practices.

• Deeply vigilant about safeguarding who shares our passion for education, equality, and diversity.

• Passionate about helping people and brings an approachable, positive attitude to every question, request, and tackles daily challenges with optimism.

• Positive with a ‘no task too small’ attitude and a genuine eagerness to support the team.

• Proud in their maintenance of airtight HR records and data accuracy.

• Deeply committed to the role and being a reliable, trusted and supportive team member.

• Fully committed to our trust core values.

What We Offer in Return

By joining our team, you will become part of a collaborative and encouraging Trust that prioritises the well-being of its employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 29 days of annual leave (rising to 31 days) plus bank holidays

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

• Enhanced provisions for special leave

• A strong commitment to your continuous professional growth and development

For additional details regarding this position, or an informal chat please contact Ms Arlene Brathwaite-Pile, the Trust HR Operations Lead, via email at hr@inspirepartnership.co.uk

Application Deadline: 12 noon, Tuesday 30th June 2026

Interviews will be held: week commencing Monday 6th July 2026