Head of HR & People

Trinity School, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7SJ

37 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  9 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  2 December 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: PO6

What skills and experience we're looking for

Head of HR and People

Contract: Term-time only or full-time (negotiable)

Salary:P06

Closing date: 9 January 2026

Shortlisting: from 12 January 2026

Interviews W/B: 19 January 2026

The Head of HR and People will lead and manage all aspects of Human Resources across Trinity School, a large and complex special school with over 282 staff including more than 200 support staff in a variety of roles. This senior role is responsible for shaping the school’s people strategy, managing employee relations, recruitment, development, and retention, and ensuring all HR processes are compliant, efficient and aligned to the school’s strategic vision. Working closely with the Headteacher, School Business Manager and Local Authority Schools HR, the postholder will deliver a high-quality, people-centered HR service that supports effective teaching and learning. This is a fast-paced, demanding and high-pressure on-site role requiring exceptional resilience, professionalism and the ability to respond quickly to changing priorities.

What the school offers its staff

Main Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all HR functions across the school, ensuring policies, systems and processes are efficient, compliant and support strategic priorities.
• Oversee all employment matters including contracts, pay, recruitment, training, performance, and employee relations.
• Ensure the school remains compliant with employment law, safeguarding legislation, and best HR practice.
• Develop and implement HR policies and strategies that promote staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Manage all HR data systems and ensure accurate completion of statutory returns such as the School Workforce Census.
• Lead the HR team, providing clear direction, professional development and performance management. Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• CIPD Level 5 (minimum) qualification – Level 7 desirable.
• Significant HR management experience in a large, complex organisation (education or public sector desirable).
• Proven expertise in employee relations, including casework and investigations.
• Excellent knowledge of employment law, safeguarding and safer recruitment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of leading and developing a high-performing HR team.
• Excellent organisational and ICT skills, including HR and payroll systems.

Visits are welcomed to the school prior to application and interview. Please contact: hr@trinity.bardaglea.org.uk

All applications should be made on the Trinity School application form available from the school website on

https://trinityschool.face-ed.co.uk/Vacancies

CVs will not be accepted and should not be submitted

Only those applicants that are shortlisted will be notified of the interviews

Trinity School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All shortlisted candidates will undergo online searches, and their referees contacted prior to the interview.

An enhanced criminal record check via the DBS will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a comprehensive screening process, including a disclosure check will be undertaken on all applicants.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Trinity School

• School type: Special school, ages 3 to 19
• School size: 319 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Trinity School website
• Email address: HR@trinity.bardaglea.org.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/trinity-school-dagenham

Trinity is a very large special school in Barking and Dagenham and we serve the special educational needs of over 290 disabled children and young people. We are an all-through School for pupils aged 3 to 19.

School location

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