HR Assistant

Are you an organised, enthusiastic individual with a passion for people and a commitment to helping children succeed? Outwood Grange Academy is looking for an HR Assistant to join us. This is a key role focused on supporting the Business Manager with all aspects of HR administration.

Working within an academy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a community that shapes the future. We offer a supportive working environment where your administrative expertise directly impacts the smooth running of our school. This is an ideal role for someone wanting to pursue a career in HR or someone looking to broaden their experiences in a generalist HR role. Training will be provided including an optional CIPD qualification via an apprenticeship route.

Welcome from the Principal

I am so pleased you are looking at this fantastic opportunity to work at Outwood Grange Academy. Our larger-than-average 11-19 academy is in the heart of Outwood, Wakefield, with easy access to major towns and cities via the motorway network. As the Founding Academy of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, we embody the organisation's core ethos: making students our fundamental priority, raising standards, and transforming life chances. Since 2022, I have been truly proud of the work we do to ensure all aspects of education are of the highest possible quality. This is driven by our staff's unwavering dedication, their commitment to enabling every student to achieve their potential, and a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement.

If this is a vision that resonates with you, I look forward to meeting you to discuss what you have to offer.

To view the Support Staff recruitment booklet please click here.

Responsibilities

The HR Assistant supports the Business Manager with all aspects of HR administration, including payroll, recruitment, and attendance management. As the first point of contact for our busy HR department, you will play a crucial role in the smooth running of our operations. Your responsibilities will include:

• Recruitment & Onboarding: Manage the end-to-end recruitment process, including liaising with agencies, preparing shortlist packs, and conducting all pre-employment checks (DBS, references, etc.) in line with Safer Recruitment practices.

• Payroll: Take ownership of the payroll function, maintaining employee records, and processing variations on our HR system (Oracle). 

• HR Administration: Issue employment contracts and offer letters, maintain accurate attendance records, and maintain HR records with attention to detail.

• Compliance & Records: Maintain an impeccable Single Central Record (SCR) and ensure electronic filing systems are audit-ready. 

• Support Services: Arrange occupational health referrals and provide confidential administrative support, including minute-taking for sensitive meetings. 

• Cover: As part of your attendance management responsibility, you will be required to liaise with external stakeholders to arrange cover for absent staff members.

To view the job description please click here.

Qualifications

This role requires relevant experience working within HR/Payroll and experience working in an office environment. Applicants must possess the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences (verbally and in writing) and the critical ability to respect and maintain confidentiality. The ability to use standard ICT packages, including Microsoft Office, is essential. Experience of working in a school environment or with school information management systems is desirable.

To view the person specification please click here.

Working pattern: 37 hours per week during term time and holiday closure periods.

Start date: As soon as possible.

If you have any questions or would like to visit the school, please contact Rebecca Brickwood (Business Manager) at R.Brickwood@grange.outwood.com.

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: 8.00am on 16 February 2026.

Interview date: 20 February 2026.

We reserve the right to close advertisements early. Advertisements will therefore close the day the decision has been taken to close the advertisement early.

Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.