At a Glance
- Tasks: Support two secondary schools and share best practices with three primary schools.
- Company: Join Discovery Educational Trust, a dynamic multi-academy trust in South Essex.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pension scheme, generous referral bonuses, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting change in HR services and make a real impact on education.
- Qualifications: No prior HR experience needed, just a passion for learning and flexibility.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Overview
Position Start Date: Immediate
Contract Type: Full-time | Contract Term: Permanent
Applications will be reviewed week commencing 3 November, with a view to interviewing the following week.
Discovery Educational Trust - HR Business Partner
We are looking for a motivated self-starter who wants to make this new role their own. The HRBP role will support our two secondary schools in Brentwood and Southend, also sharing best practice and initiatives with our three primary schools (all Brentwood based). You will be part of a supportive central team and will work closely with our school leadership teams.
HR experience in education is not essential; however, you will have a strong interest in learning the particular nuances of practicing HR in this unique sector. This post will cover the full employee life cycle, with an emphasis on supporting people managers with employee relations, performance management and absence management cases, requiring you to manage a varied caseload and competing priorities.
You will be based at our central offices at St Martin\'s School in Brentwood, with split-site responsibilities to support Chase High School in Southend. We can offer some flexibility in working remotely around your commitments for both schools, however this is a full-time, year-round role and not a term-time post. You will primarily be supporting our two secondary schools, but as the role develops, you will support and share best practice initiatives with our three primary schools.
We are centralising aspects of our HR services within the Trust and you will join at an exciting time of change as we develop this offering. This new HRBP role will play a key part in ensuring we provide efficient, high-quality HR support that helps our schools, through their people, deliver the best education possible for their pupils.
If you are a flexible self-starter, keen to be part of our continuing journey, we would love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
- Support two secondary schools in Brentwood and Southend and share best practice with three primary schools (all Brentwood based).
- Cover the full employee life cycle with emphasis on employee relations, performance management, and absence management; manage a varied caseload and competing priorities.
- Work with school leadership teams to provide high-quality HR support and advice.
- Contribute to the Trust’s centralisation of HR services and development of the HR offering during the change process.
Qualifications & Attributes
- HR experience in education is not essential, but a strong interest in learning the sector’s nuances is required.
- Flexible self-starter with the ability to work across sites and, where appropriate, remotely.
Information about the Trust & Schools
Discovery Educational Trust, formed in 2014, is a successful and established multi-academy trust based in South Essex, comprising just under 4000 pupils and 500 staff, across 5 schools.
Our schools are:
- Chase High School (Westcliff-on-Sea)
- St. Martin\'s School (Brentwood)
- Hogarth Primary School (Brentwood)
- Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School (Brentwood)
- Larchwood Primary School (Brentwood)
We aim for each of our schools to become the school of choice within the community, offering a broad and exciting range of extracurricular activities to enhance their curriculum.
We offer ongoing training and professional development for all staff in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Benefits
- Pension scheme – includes Life Assurance
- Generous referral bonus for employees who refer quality candidates
- Two-week October half term
- Employee savings and discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme – confidential wellbeing support for employees and dependants
- Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA England trained) within the Trust
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Gifted Service Leave for long service
- Health Cash Plan for everyday healthcare costs with Virtual GP service
Equality & Safeguarding
As an equal opportunities employer, Discovery Educational Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage suitably qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding pupils and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks and pre-employment verification, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory references.
Documents
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Contact: Paul Griffiths, St Martin\'s House, St Martin\'s School, Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 2HG. Telephone: 01277 358377. Email: pgriffiths@discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk
Note: This description includes a separate Recruitment & Professional Development Lead posting for New Hall School, Chelmsford with a different closing date; this is not part of the HRBP role above.
HR Business Partner in Brentwood employer: Essex
Discovery Educational Trust is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in education. With a strong commitment to employee development, the Trust offers ongoing training opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package including a pension scheme and mental health support, and the chance to work across multiple schools in Brentwood and Southend. Join us at this exciting time of change as we centralise our HR services and strive to provide the best educational experience for our pupils.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Brentwood
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of Discovery Educational Trust on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the HR Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the specific challenges faced in HR within the education sector. Show us you’re keen to learn and adapt to the unique nuances of this role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common HR scenarios. We want to see how you’d handle employee relations or performance management cases, so be ready to share your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Brentwood
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the HR Business Partner role. Highlight any relevant HR experience, even if it's not in education, and show us how you can bring value to our schools.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the role and the Trust. Tell us why you're excited about supporting our schools and how your background makes you a great fit.
Showcase Your Flexibility:Since this role involves working across multiple sites, let us know about your adaptability. Share examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities or worked remotely in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows us you're keen to be part of our journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the HR Business Partner role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the employee life cycle, especially in the context of education. This will help you demonstrate your interest and readiness to tackle the unique challenges of HR in schools.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
Since this role requires working across multiple sites and potentially remotely, be prepared to discuss your adaptability. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed competing priorities or adapted to changing circumstances.
✨Engage with the Trust's Vision
Research Discovery Educational Trust and its schools. Understand their mission and values, and think about how you can contribute to their goals. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for being part of their journey and how you can support their HR initiatives.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about their current HR challenges, how they envision the HRBP role evolving, or what success looks like in this position. This will not only impress them but also help you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
