HR Officer

Great Western Academy is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly organised HR Officer to join our busy and supportive main office team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to play a key role in supporting our staff and ensuring the smooth and effective running of HR across the Academy. You will provide day-to-day HR support to staff and managers, working closely with the Business Manager, Academy leadership and our external HR consultants.

About the role

As our HR Officer, you will provide high-quality support across a broad range of HR activities. This will include:

• Supporting the onboarding of new staff, including ensuring all compliance and safer recruitment checks are completed.
• Maintaining accurate staff records and the Academy’s Single Central Record.
• Providing advice and guidance to staff and managers on routine HR matters, policies and conditions of service.
• Supporting probationary periods, staff induction and the issuing of contracts and employment documentation.
• Monitoring and recording staff absence and supporting the implementation of the Academy’s absence procedures.
• Providing HR support in areas such as sickness, capability, disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Supporting staff wellbeing and maintaining accurate and confidential HR records in line with GDPR.

You will need to be confident in handling sensitive and confidential information, have excellent attention to detail and be able to build positive relationships with colleagues at all levels. You will also need to know when to provide advice yourself and when to seek specialist support from our external HR consultants.

About you

We are looking for someone with experience of working in HR, ideally within a school, academy or college environment. A CIPD Level 3 qualification, either completed or in progress, is desirable.

You will be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise your workload in a busy environment. You will be approachable, professional and discreet, with a genuine commitment to supporting staff and contributing positively to the wider Academy team.

Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding is essential, alongside a willingness to learn and develop your HR knowledge. Experience of using Microsoft Word and Excel in a professional environment is also required.

About Great Western Academy

Great Western Academy opened in September 2018 in brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities in North Swindon. We are heavily oversubscribed across all year groups and have a flourishing Sixth Form.

Our philosophy of Achievement, Care and Excellence underpins everything we do, with Care firmly at the centre. We use the phrase “Work Hard, Be Kind” to capture the culture we want for our students and staff - a culture of high expectations, positive relationships and strong support.

Our staff are central to our success. We are proud of the excellent outcomes our students achieve and of the professional dedication of the talented team who work together to support them.

For our staff, we offer:

• Excellent CPD and professional development opportunities
• State-of-the-art facilities
• Leading-edge ICT, including a laptop provided for all staff
• Free medical and wellbeing support
• Free on-site parking
• Easy access to the A419

If you are an experienced HR professional looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can make a real contribution to the staff and wider community of an ambitious school, we would love to hear from you.

Further information can be found on the schools website and in the attached documents. If you would like to discuss the role further or would like to arrange for a tour of the school before making an application, then please contact us on recruitment@gwacademy.co.uk or call 01793 209700.

Safeguarding Statement

Great Western Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All posts within the Trust are subject to an Enhanced DBS and barred list check.