People and Performance Manager in Gateshead

Overview

We\’re looking for an exceptional People and Performance Manager to join our team to help shape the future of our 180+ strong workforce. This isn\’t your typical HR role – it\’s a diverse position working in a busy school where no day is the same. You\’ll be a trusted partner to our leadership team, driving our people strategy and making a real difference to our school community. In this varied and rewarding role, you will:

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to turn our ambitious vision into reality, providing HR guidance that makes a tangible impact
• Be the expert on employment legislation and best practice, giving senior leaders the confidence to make informed decisions
• Lead our people strategy across recruitment, retention, performance management and staff development
• Coach and mentor other leaders, building their capability in people management
• Transform recruitment to attract exceptional talent who share our values and ambition
• Champion best practice in performance management and staff development, helping every colleague reach their potential

Qualifications

• HR-related qualification (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent)
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
• Experience of providing strategic HR advice to senior leaders
• Excellent coaching and influencing skills
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in an educational setting – though we warmly welcome applications from talented HR professionals in other sectors who are looking for a new challenge

Whickham School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

People and Performance Manager, Full time, Permanent, Grade K: £45,091 – £48,226, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, all year round.

Whickham School is a high performing and oversubscribed 11-18 school in Gateshead where staff and students thrive together. We\’re not just talking about results (though our student progress significantly exceeds regional and national averages) – we\’re talking about a place where people love coming to work.

Benefits

• Family-friendly benefits:
  • High priority admission for your children to our high performing school
• Health and wellbeing:
  • Free access to our gym and sports facilities
  • Supportive environment with genuine work/life balance
• Financial benefits:
  • Competitive local government pension scheme
  • Electric vehicle and cycle-to-work salary sacrifice schemes
• Professional development:
  • Comprehensive training programmes tailored to your career goals
  • Opportunities to develop strategic leadership skills

Our Culture

We\’ve created something special at Whickham School – a culture where ambition meets support, where excellence is the norm, and where every voice matters. If you\’re looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact while being part of a warm, inclusive community, this could be perfect for you.