HR Manager | Expanding Progressive Secondary Academy |Slough

CORE PURPOSE We are seeking a strategic, highly skilled HR Manager to lead human resources strategy, workforce planning, and operational HR delivery across our school. Working directly alongside the Headteacher, Senior Leadership Team, and central trust HR, the successful candidate will manage employee relations, drive talent acquisition, maintain absolute safeguarding compliance on the Single Central Record (SCR), and champion staff well-being across the organization. THE SCHOOL Set across modern, well-equipped campus facilities with state-of-the-art administrative hubs, this dynamic secondary academy serves over 1,100 pupils with a strong commitment to staff development and workforce well-being. The school fosters a collaborative, values-driven environment where operational support teams are valued as central to school success. The HR department operates as a vital strategic engine within the school, utilizing modern digital systems to manage recruitment, safer recruitment audits, staff performance management, and workforce development within a calm, supportive, and professional environment. KEY TASKS & DAILY OPERATIONS Strategic HR Leadership: Develop and execute HR policies and workforce strategies aligned with the school’s vision, employment legislation, and education sector guidelines. Safer Recruitment & SCR Audits: Oversee end-to-end recruitment procedures, ensuring flawless compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) standards and managing the Single Central Record (SCR). Employee Relations & Casework: Provide expert advice and casework management on complex HR matters, including grievance, disciplinary, sickness absence, capability, and performance procedures. Payroll & Absence Management: Manage payroll preparation, monitor staff attendance patterns, coordinate occupational health interventions, and report key HR metrics to the Governing Body. Staff Well-Being & Development: Lead staff well-being initiatives, coordinate whole-school professional development frameworks, and foster a positive, high-performing workplace culture. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent degree in Human Resources / Business Management). Experience: Extensive HR generalist or HR management experience, with a proven track record in an educational setting, academy trust, or public sector environment. Skills: Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law, safer recruitment protocols, exceptional dispute resolution skills, and strong strategic leadership capabilities. REGIONAL CONTEXT Local Area & Community: Based in the bustling Berkshire town of Slough, the school serves a diverse and ambitious local community. Positioned along the Thames Valley, the area combines major business hubs, historic sites like nearby Windsor, expansive green spaces such as Upton Court Park, and a supportive network of local families. Transport & Commuting: Slough benefits from outstanding regional transport connections, situated with immediate access to the M4 (Junctions 6/7), M25, and M40 motorway corridors. Transit connectivity is exceptional, with comprehensive local bus networks and direct Elizabeth line and Great Western Railway train services from Slough Station, offering swift routes into London Paddington, Reading, and Heathrow Airport. APPLICATION INTAKE Please submit your current CV to begin the application process.