HR Assistant
Full time, all-year round
Starting January 2026
Executive Summary
We’re seeking an enthusiastic HR Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. In this role, you’ll support the full employee lifecycle — from recruitment and onboarding to induction, compliance and leaver processes — ensuring all activities meet ISI standards.
You’ll bring strong IT skills, confidence with Google Workspace, and an interest in how AI can streamline HR processes. This is a great opportunity to contribute ideas, grow your skills and be part of a forward-thinking department.
We’re looking for someone adaptable, proactive, and collaborative, with a good sense of humour, attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information discreetly. Building strong relationships across the school is key to success in this role.
If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real impact and develop your HR career, we’d love to hear from you.
HR at Headington Rye Oxford
Our HR department is a small, friendly team made up of an HR Director and HR Manager, supporting around 400 staff across two school sites and working closely together to make a real difference
Role Description
The HR Assistant role is a full time, all-year round permanent position starting in January 2026.
The HR Assistant plays a key role in supporting the HR Department and providing general HR advice and assistance to staff and managers. Working closely with the HR Director and HR Manager, the HR Assistant will offer guidance on best practice and general employment law, presenting practical solutions and options to meet the School’s needs.
Key Responsibilities
- take ownership of DBS checks, pre-employment screening, and onboarding, ensuring a smooth and positive experience for new staff
- support induction programmes and mandatory training, helping staff settle in and develop their skills
- provide practical HR advice and guidance to staff and managers, helping to solve challenges and improve HR processes
- maintain accurate and up-to-date HR records, including PASS (HRIS) and HR files, ensuring compliance and efficiency
- play an active role in recruitment, collaborating with managers and the Marketing team to attract top talent, including graduates
- monitor staff absence and manage agency staff, working closely with relevant departments to ensure smooth operations
- oversee the leavers process, ensuring compliance and a positive offboarding experience
- organise and manage safer recruitment training and maintain key compliance returns
- support the Performance Management Review (PMR) process, ensuring timely and accurate documentation
- contribute ideas to enhance HR systems, processes and ways of working, including exploring innovative approaches using technology and AI
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- relevant professional HR experience or equivalent practical experience, with CIPD Level 3 or above
- minimum of two years’ experience in an HR role
- understanding of the regulatory requirements for safer recruitment in schools and awareness of basic employment law
Desirable
- higher-level CIPD qualification.
- previous experience or knowledge of the education sector
Personal Attributes and Skills
- professional and reliable, demonstrating integrity and discretion in all HR matters
- calm and composed under pressure, maintaining a positive attitude in challenging situations
- patient and empathetic, with a genuine interest in supporting employees and fostering a respectful workplace culture
- flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and organisational needs
- able and willing to embrace new ideas, processes and technologies to improve efficiency and service
- good sense of humour
- collaborative and supportive, working effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organisation
- organised and detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all administrative and HR-related tasks
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Full time, all-year round, permanent, starting January 2026
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington Rye Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
Salary
circa £27k
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Closing Date: Monday 1st December 2025
Interviews: week commencing Monday 8th December 2025
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK. Headington School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
