Education HR Assistant for Schools & Payroll

The Keys Academy Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Professional development

Friendly central team

Job summary

The Keys Academy Trust is seeking an organised HR Assistant to join our central team and support HR services across our family of schools in Reading and beyond. You’ll help with recruitment, onboarding, payroll and employee records, delivering accurate, compliant administrative support.

Working closely with the HR Manager, you’ll gain knowledge of employment legislation, confidential handling of information and professional customer service within a collaborative educational trust environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive working relationships (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally (Essential)
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail (Essential)
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and other digital systems confidently (Essential)
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Essential)
• Knowledge of HR processes and employment legislation (Desirable)
• CIPD Level 3 qualification (or working towards) (Desirable)
• Previous experience in an HR, administrative or customer service environment (Desirable)
• Experience of working within a school or education setting (Desirable)
• Experience of HR systems or databases (Desirable)

Responsibilities

• Supporting recruitment processes, including preparing documentation, arranging interviews and completing pre-employment checks.
• Assisting with onboarding new employees and ensuring a smooth transition into the Trust.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and updating HR systems.
• Processing contractual changes, starters, leavers and staff absence records.
• Supporting payroll administration by preparing payroll variations and liaising with payroll providers.
• Preparing HR correspondence and supporting meetings, including taking confidential notes where required.
• Maintaining compliance with employment legislation, safer recruitment requirements and the Single Central Record.
• Responding to HR enquiries from colleagues and providing professional customer service.
• Working collaboratively with school leaders, Trust colleagues and external agencies.
• Supporting continuous improvement of HR systems and administrative processes.
• Providing general administrative support across the HR function as required.

Skills

Excellent communication

Confidentiality

Organisational skills

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths

CIPD Level 3 qualification (Desirable)

Tools

HR systems / databases

Job description

The Keys Academy Trust is seeking an organised HR Assistant to join our central team and support HR services across our family of schools in Reading and beyond. You’ll help with recruitment, onboarding, payroll and employee records, delivering accurate, compliant administrative support.

Working closely with the HR Manager, you’ll gain knowledge of employment legislation, confidential handling of information and professional customer service within a collaborative educational trust environment.