HR Officer

The main purpose of the role is to provide a smooth running Human Resources function to the Academy and carrying out all duties, responsibilities and accountabilities in accordance with the academy policies and procedures and statutory requirements; ensuring that the Academy Leadership Team and staff are aware and briefed on these in line with Federation policy and practice.

About Us

In terms of the school more broadly, Harris Battersea achieved progress results that placed the school within the top 1% nationally for the fifth year running. With a Progress 8 score of 0.96, students achieve more than one grade higher than they would in an average school. Such progress, alongside the best A-level results in Wandsworth, reflect the exceptional dedication with which everyone in the academy has applied themselves.

People who choose to work with children are choosing a demanding career and it is our aim to make sure that staff are as well supported as they can be. We have a zero tolerance approach to anything that interrupts the learning in a classroom and our central team that deals with both behaviour and homework detentions does so to make sure that our staff are as free as possible to do the three things that matter most: mark, plan and teach.

Any position in education is inevitably laden with values and ideals and we are a school built on a shared ownership of these. We wish to give our students the very best start that we can in life and, through hard work and determination, we hope that our values and ideals take shape as something recognisable in the futures that we help build.

Should you wish to find out more about what we do or would like to talk to the Director of Resources directly, then please feel free to do so using d.mcsween@harrisbattersea.org.uk.  

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Maintenance of staff MIS areas
• Using the Academy MIS and other tracking systems to produce data reports as required
• Overall management of the Single Central Register (SCR)
• Keeping staff personnel records and files up to date
• Ensuring that tracking and maintenance of the absence database in conjunction with legal obligations is correct
• Liaising with the Federation HR Team regarding HR and Employment Law matters maintaining that we always act in an appropriate and legal way i.e. grievances, dismissals, terminations, redundancies.
• Liaise with the Senior Leadership Team, Managers and Staff on HR related matters in line with Federation HR related policy and procedure.
• Ensure the performance management processes are managed throughout the year ensuring forms are sent out at the appropriate time, collate replies, keep accurate logs and produce final reports of grades and comments to the Academy Leadership Team.
• Collation of all lesson observation documentation and maintenance of spreadsheets and preparation of congratulation letters.
• Coordinate HR related meetings in accordance with Academy policy along with taking notes during meetings
• Manage the Recruitment process from start to finish.
• Ensuring that DBS checks for staff are completed in a timely fashion in line with OfSTED requirements.
• Logging and maintaining records of staff Personal Development Training, as part of the Academy process.
• Responsibility for the recruitment process, including the induction of new starters, medical checks, references, etc; processing all administration and informing of policies and procedures.
• Processing and tracking all starter paperwork to ensure accuracy, compliance and maintenance in line with Federation requirements
• Responsibility for preparing monthly payroll and inputting information on to the payroll portal in line with requirements; processing, updating and maintaining records for new starters, leavers, unpaid absences, pension information and any relevant payroll changes.
• To produce reports as required to the Principal and Director of Resources regarding internal pay progression and national pay increases.
• To schedule all staff Informal Absence meetings, First Formal Absence meetings and Final Absence meetings. 
• To organise, administer and minute individual staff meetings (disciplinary, absence, etc.)
• To produce letters to staff as required by the Principal or Director of Resources.
• To administer staff benefit application process.
• Advise on entitlements and pay, and organising for Pregnancy Based Risk Assessments, further meetings also include consultations regarding Flexible Working Arrangements and KIT days.
• To be responsible for ensuring all visitors, third party contractors, supply and self-employed staff have the appropriate level of clearance.
• To administer all staff probationary periods, ensuring that Line managers have completed meetings and forms in a timely manner.
• To undertake regular Safer Recruitment training.
• Ensuring that all staff HR files are in order and up to date both electronically and manually.

Qualifications & Experience

• Appropriate degree or equivalent level of education
• Knowledge of Microsoft software packages
• Knowledge of HR legislation
• Knowledge of payroll procedures
• Knowledge of key principles of staff management
• Knowledge of personal assistant roles and responsibilities
• Training in typing and formatting a variety of documents including spreadsheets
• Knowledge of a variety of IT packages including database software
• At least 5 years’ experience working an office environment
• Experience of coordinating tasks and projects
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience of working to targets and deadlines
• Experience of managing meetings including preparation and circulation of papers, minutes and ensuring information is circulated as required
• Experience of developing policies, processes and procedures
• Experience of responsibility whilst working in an HR administrative role
• Ability to build and sustain professional standards and relationships with staff at all levels and those outside the academy
• Appreciation of issues of sensitivity and confidentiality and adhering to Data Protection
• Working within a busy office environment
• Experience of assimilating data, record/log keeping and file maintenance
• Experience of managing and prioritising a diverse workload, to meet deadlines and to work under pressure

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation 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.