HR Officer

About the job

Key information

• Required for immediate start.
• Salary: SCP 19 (£31,067) – SCP 27 (£37,035) Dependent on Experience.
• Full time permanent position
• Hours 37.5

About us:

The Marchant-Holliday School is an independent special school that caters for boys aged 5-14, all of whom have an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) for social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). The school has day pupils and weekly boarders. Our vision is that all children can thrive in a caring, understanding and supportive environment.

We believe that every child has the right to feel safe to enable them to flourish and build their self-esteem whilst developing a lifelong love of learning. This is the essence of MHS in providing a nurturing environment for children who have experienced difficulties accessing mainstream education.

We have enjoyed growth and financial stability over the last 10 years. The governing body feel that The Marchant-Holliday School, with its well-respected recognition within the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) specialist sector, is in a prime position for an HR Officer to work with the Chief Operating Officer to deliver an exceptional and outstanding HR service, supporting over 75 employees to take us forward into the next phase in the school’s history.

What will I be doing?

This is a varied role and will involve advising on employee relations matters such as disciplinaries, grievances, performance management and flexible working requests, as well as operational support. You will play a key role in the recruitment and selection of staff, as well as supporting our absence process, and dealing with general queries.

The role:

The School is seeking an outstanding HR Officer to support the Chief Operating Officer in the delivery and development of the School HR function.

As our HR Officer, you will carry out a wide variety of activities and will be required to focus your energy, knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Take ownership of all HR compliance records for the school, ensuring they are maintained and up to date.
• Provide leadership of HR projects as required by the Chief Operating Officer.
• Management of the Single Central Record and all associated checks for employees, workers, contractors and volunteers.
• Manage the whole cycle of recruitment campaigns.
• Advise managers on employee relations matters including capability, disciplinary and absence.
• Maintain the training register and organise training.
• Ensure safer recruitment practices are implemented in accordance with the School Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures Policy, Keeping Children Safe in Education, DFE, OFSTED, and other statutory requirements.
• Preparation of offer letters, contracts and on-boarding paperwork.
• Assist with the reviewing and updating of HR policies and procedures in keeping with School needs, best practice and legislation.
• Provide a first point of call service to staff and provide early intervention, signposting staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that managers and teams have the appropriate skills and capabilities to undertake their responsibilities effectively.
• Work closely with the Operations and Compliance Officer to ensure: timely and accurate payroll; Pensions Regulator, contractual and statutory payments compliance.
• Provision of secretarial and administrative support to the SLT as required.
• Monitoring and distribution of emails received in the centralised mailboxes.

Job purpose:

Working alongside the Chief Operating Officer, the HR Officer will help support the effective management of the School’s HR services drawing on knowledge as a people professional, understanding of the School strategy and appreciation of the organisational structure and culture.

The HR Officer will assist the Chief Operating Officer on the effective implementation of HR policies and procedures, providing pragmatic and employee focused advice. They will use coaching and influencing skills to drive employee engagement and manage change.

What is in it for me?

What you can expect from us:

• A welcoming and supportive team
• 8 weeks paid leave -including bank holidays
• Occupational Sick pay
• 10% Employer pension contribution
• Free on-site parking
• Use of private facilities
• Employee Recognition Scheme -with rewards and benefits
• Enhanced DBS and Update Service paid for
• Excellent CPD and training opportunities
• Employee assistance programme
• On site wellbeing programmes

DBS check

An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

Supporting documents and information

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the school ahead of submitting an application.

Method of application:

Please only apply using the school’s application form found on the School’s website or obtained by contacting the school office on 01963 33234. Please return your application form to hr@marchant-holliday.co.uk

Closing Date for applications: 9am Friday 27 June 2025

Shortlisting Monday 30 June 2025

Interviews Week Commencing Monday 7 July 2025

Apply on the Marchant-Holliday School website

Apply now