HR Support Apprenticeship in Guildford

The HR Assistant plays a key role in delivering efficient, accurate and confidential support across the HR function. Working within a busy and friendly school environment, the post-holder helps ensure smooth staff processes, compliant record-keeping and a positive employee experience. This is a varied role supporting recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration, data management and day-to-day HR queries — ideal for someone organised, proactive and committed to high-quality people operations.

Apprenticeship Summary:

• Salary: £8.00 an hour
• Working Week: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm including a 30 mins break
• Hours: 30 hours per week
• Online apprenticeship training supported by our skilled tutors
• HR Support Apprenticeship standard qualification
• Location: Station Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0DF

What you will do:

• Recruitment support — Assist with advertising roles, managing applications, scheduling interviews and candidate communication.
• Safer recruitment checks — Support safer recruitment and pre-employment vetting including references, DBS and Right to Work.
• Onboarding coordination — Prepare induction materials, manage new starter documentation and ensure compliance steps are completed.
• Performance administration - support probation process administration for new joiners, and review process administration for established employees.
• HR system - support the HR Manager with the implementation and upkeep of the HR system, inputting and maintaining HR data, supporting holiday administration, and ensuring the HR system is accurate and up to date.
• Compliance & record keeping — Help maintain the Single Central Record, ensure personnel files meet regulatory standards and support inspection preparation. Ensure HR processes reflect safeguarding best practice.
• Contract changes — draft letters for changes including FTE, fixed-term contract extensions, and pay changes, recording payroll changes correctly.
• Payroll and Benefits administration — work with the Finance team to support the administration of payroll, pensions and staff benefits.
• Leavers - support leaver administration and offboarding processes.
• Employee relations admin — Support HR processes such as absence management and formal meetings through note-taking and document preparation.
• General HR queries — Act as a first point of contact for routine staff queries, ensuring a professional and helpful service.
• HR projects — Contribute to HR initiatives including wellbeing, engagement, policy updates and support with systems implementation.

Person Specification:

• Essential:
• Previous administrative experience
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Good IT skills (Microsoft Office, HR systems)
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively
• Desirable:
• Previous HR experience
• Experience working in a school or education setting
• Understanding of safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements
• Experience with HR systems and databases
• Basic knowledge of UK employment practices

Personal Attributes:

• Professional, calm, and reliable
• Approachable and supportive
• Highly organised with a methodical approach
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance

Essential qualifications:

• GCSE English (Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 equivalent) essential
• GCSE Maths (Grade A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 equivalent) essential

Training and Development:

As an apprentice, you will receive support through both on-the-job learning and formal training as part of your apprenticeship programme. This will typically include:

• Study towards a Level 3 HR Apprenticeship Standard.
• On-the-job training and mentoring from experienced school professionals.
• Regular review meetings to support progress and development.
• Training in school administration, finance systems, and education-sector processes.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

The successful candidate will obtain a Level 3 HR Apprenticeship Standard qualification.

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Potential full-time employment opportunities within school administration or finance for the right candidate upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Pre-employment checks:

Please be aware that successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS checks with child and adult barred list checks, right-to-work checks, and safeguarding procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.