Head of HR & People
| Posting date: | 02 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 January 2026 |
| Location: | Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7SJ |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 13ae6f61-fe86-46b2-b250-847157c059c9 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Head of HR and People
Contract: Term-time only or full-time (negotiable)
Salary:P06
Closing date: 9 January 2026
Shortlisting: from 12 January 2026
Interviews W/B: 19 January 2026
The Head of HR and People will lead and manage all aspects of Human Resources across Trinity School, a large and complex special school with over 282 staff including more than 200 support staff in a variety of roles. This senior role is responsible for shaping the school’s people strategy, managing employee relations, recruitment, development, and retention, and ensuring all HR processes are compliant, efficient and aligned to the school’s strategic vision. Working closely with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and Local Authority Schools HR, the postholder will deliver a high-quality, people-centered HR service that supports effective teaching and learning. This is a fast-paced, demanding and high-pressure on-site role requiring exceptional resilience, professionalism and the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.
What the school offers its staff
Main Responsibilities
• Lead and manage all HR functions across the school, ensuring policies, systems and processes are efficient, compliant and support strategic priorities.
• Oversee all employment matters including contracts, pay, recruitment, training, performance, and employee relations.
• Ensure the school remains compliant with employment law, safeguarding legislation, and best HR practice.
• Develop and implement HR policies and strategies that promote staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Manage all HR data systems and ensure accurate completion of statutory returns such as the School Workforce Census.
• Lead the HR team, providing clear direction, professional development and performance management. Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• CIPD Level 5 (minimum) qualification – Level 7 desirable.
• Significant HR management experience in a large, complex organisation (education or public sector desirable).
• Proven expertise in employee relations, including casework and investigations.
• Excellent knowledge of employment law, safeguarding and safer recruitment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of leading and developing a high-performing HR team.
• Excellent organisational and ICT skills, including HR and payroll systems.
Visits are welcomed to the school prior to application and interview. Please contact: hr@trinity.bardaglea.org.uk
All applications should be made on the Trinity School application form available from the school website on
https://trinityschool.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies
CVs will not be accepted and should not be submitted
Only those applicants that are shortlisted will be notified of the interviews
Trinity School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will undergo online searches, and their referees contacted prior to the interview.
An enhanced criminal record check via the DBS will be undertaken for the successful candidate.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a comprehensive screening process, including a disclosure check will be undertaken on all applicants.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Head of HR and People
Contract: Term-time only or full-time (negotiable)
Salary:P06
Closing date: 9 January 2026
Shortlisting: from 12 January 2026
Interviews W/B: 19 January 2026
The Head of HR and People will lead and manage all aspects of Human Resources across Trinity School, a large and complex special school with over 282 staff including more than 200 support staff in a variety of roles. This senior role is responsible for shaping the school’s people strategy, managing employee relations, recruitment, development, and retention, and ensuring all HR processes are compliant, efficient and aligned to the school’s strategic vision. Working closely with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and Local Authority Schools HR, the postholder will deliver a high-quality, people-centered HR service that supports effective teaching and learning. This is a fast-paced, demanding and high-pressure on-site role requiring exceptional resilience, professionalism and the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.
What the school offers its staff
Main Responsibilities
• Lead and manage all HR functions across the school, ensuring policies, systems and processes are efficient, compliant and support strategic priorities.
• Oversee all employment matters including contracts, pay, recruitment, training, performance, and employee relations.
• Ensure the school remains compliant with employment law, safeguarding legislation, and best HR practice.
• Develop and implement HR policies and strategies that promote staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Manage all HR data systems and ensure accurate completion of statutory returns such as the School Workforce Census.
• Lead the HR team, providing clear direction, professional development and performance management. Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• CIPD Level 5 (minimum) qualification – Level 7 desirable.
• Significant HR management experience in a large, complex organisation (education or public sector desirable).
• Proven expertise in employee relations, including casework and investigations.
• Excellent knowledge of employment law, safeguarding and safer recruitment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of leading and developing a high-performing HR team.
• Excellent organisational and ICT skills, including HR and payroll systems.
Visits are welcomed to the school prior to application and interview. Please contact: hr@trinity.bardaglea.org.uk
All applications should be made on the Trinity School application form available from the school website on
https://trinityschool.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies
CVs will not be accepted and should not be submitted
Only those applicants that are shortlisted will be notified of the interviews
Trinity School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will undergo online searches, and their referees contacted prior to the interview.
An enhanced criminal record check via the DBS will be undertaken for the successful candidate.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a comprehensive screening process, including a disclosure check will be undertaken on all applicants.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.