Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide HR support to schools, guiding on recruitment and employee relations.
- Company: Join Meridian Trust, a multi-academy trust dedicated to community and professional development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, CPD opportunities, healthcare benefits, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus HR experience in a school environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 25211 - 28000 £ per year.
Overview
Meridian Trust is seeking a Senior HR Advisor to join the Peterborough Hub. The role provides first line HR support for Headteachers/Principals and HR Officers based in schools within the trust, delivering a professional and efficient service.
Salary: Meridian Trust Support Staff, Grade 9, Point 24-28. Starting at £25,211 (Actual Salary). Hours: 40 weeks per year, 30 hours per week. Travel between sites within the Peterborough hub is required; a driving licence is essential.
The Opportunity
- Act as the first point of contact, offering advice and guidance for Principals/Headteachers and HR Officers in schools on all aspects of HR work, e.g. recruitment, terms and conditions, pay, maternity, paternity, sickness absence, HR administration, and single central record.
- In liaison with the HR Manager, ensure that each Headteacher/Principal has one face-to-face visit each half term, with both HRM and SHA.
- Support the HR Manager in interpreting best practice guidance to schools, reflecting Trust policies and procedures.
- Informal audits of HR practices in schools, offering advice to HR Officers in the completion of accurate files and records (ensuring the security of both manual and computerised data).
The ideal candidate
- Good educational background with GCSE or equivalent in English Language and Maths.
- Experience of working in a school HR environment.
- A good knowledge of HR procedures.
- Skilled at making and sustaining positive relationships.
Benefits
- Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
- Opportunity to start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
- Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
- Cycle to work scheme
- Defined benefit local government or Teacher\’s pension scheme
- Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
- Free on-site parking
- Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays
For full details on benefits, please visit the Meridian Trust benefits page: www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/
About Meridian Trust
Meridian Trust is a successful multi-academy trust founded on its commitment to people and communities. The Trust operates 30 schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and is committed to high-quality professional development and career opportunities for all staff. To learn more, please visit www.meridiantrust.co.uk.
Application information
For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.
Closing date for applications: 29 September 2025
Interview to take place in W/C 29 September 2025
The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and online searches.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior HR Advisor at Meridian Trust employer: Meridian Trust
Contact Detail:
Meridian Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Advisor at Meridian Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who work at Meridian Trust or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Meridian Trust's values and recent initiatives. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in the trust and how you can contribute to its mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios that might come up during the interview. Think about how you’d handle tricky situations with Headteachers or HR Officers. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Meridian Trust team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Advisor at Meridian Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior HR Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience in school HR environments and how it aligns with what Meridian Trust is looking for. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in HR procedures and relationship building can benefit the Headteachers and HR Officers at Meridian Trust. We love seeing real examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the job!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through the Meridian Trust website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you’ll find all the information you need about the role there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at Meridian Trust
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around recruitment, terms and conditions, and absence management. Familiarise yourself with Meridian Trust's policies and procedures so you can speak confidently about how you would apply them in real scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
As a Senior HR Advisor, building positive relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous roles, particularly in a school environment. Think about times when you’ve resolved conflicts or provided support to staff.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life HR situations during the interview. Prepare by thinking through common challenges you might face in this role and how you would handle them. This could include dealing with sensitive issues or conducting audits of HR practices.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the trust’s approach to HR. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you. Consider asking about their professional development opportunities or how they support mental health and wellbeing.
