Strategic HR Partner - Education & Governance

Job Ref No. ECC0-89S Position Type: Administration Pay Range: Essex Scale 8 (pt 25-28) Position Start Date: Immediate Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent Application Close: 05/08/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: w/c 10 August 2026 Based at St Martins School, Brentwood, Essex (DET Central Team office) Full time, all year round *based on Essex Schools Pay Scales 2025/26 We are excited to be growing our central HR team and we are seeking a motivated and organised individual who can approach challenges with confidence. You will use your expertise to seek out effective solutions, and will be driven by the opportunity to contribute positively to the HR, Operations and Governance team. You will play a key role in supporting our schools with their HR processes, maintaining strong working relationships with all internal stakeholders, and contributing to wider HR, Operations and Governance team.This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to make their next move in their HR career. Please note that this is a year round post (not a term-time position). Information about the School 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. Martins 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 the opportunities within their formal curriculum. Our vision is that strong and effective leadership places our children and young people at the heart of everything we do.We value relationships, which are open and honest, underpinned by kindness, trustworthiness and compassion. We offer ongoing training and professional development for all staff in a supportive and collaborative environment. We offer the following benefits for employees: * Pension scheme - also automatically includes Life Assurance * Generous Referral Bonus for employees who refer quality candidates to join Discovery Educational Trust * Two-week October half term (term time staff) * Employee savings and discounts * Employee Assistance Programme – free confidential wellbeing support for employees and dependants * Mental Health First Aiders – we have qualified MHFA England trainers within the Trust and continue to add to our pool of trained MHFAs * Ongoing training and professional development in a supportive and collaborative environment * Gifted Service Leave for long service * Health Cash plan to support with every day healthcare costs – e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy. Includes Virtual GP service As an equal opportunities employer, Discovery Educational Trust is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age; disability; gender re-assignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (which includes ethnic origin, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Discovery Educational Trust. Discovery Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding our pupils against radicalisation and extremism and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted. It is an offence to apply for a role if barred from regulated activity. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references. Please note that online checks will also be carried out. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances. Documents Please be aware that some uploaded documents may require special software such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. Recruitment Team - HR St Martins House, St Martins School Hanging Hill Lane Hutton, Brentwood Essex, CM13 2HG Telephone: 01277 358377 Email: mthorne@discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk Careers Assistant St Martins School, Brentwood Closing: 27/07/2026 Midday School Business Support Assistant Aveley Primary School, Aveley Closing: 29/07/2026 Midnight J-18808-Ljbffr