HR Business Partner (Projects & Policies)

The Priory Learning Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational organization in Bristol is looking for a motivated People Partner (Projects and Policies) to support schools during a period of growth. The role focuses on integrating new schools and managing key HR projects to promote staff wellbeing and enhance leadership. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in a senior HR position and a proven ability to advise educational leaders. This position offers a supportive work environment and various employee benefits aimed at improving staff health and wellbeing.

Benefits

Access to wellbeing centre

Funded Healthcare Scheme

Discounted nursery fees

Contributory pension scheme

CPD opportunities

Health & Fitness offers

Flu vaccinations

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR or People Partner role.
• Proven track record of working closely with Headteachers.
• Experience leading or supporting organisational change projects.

Responsibilities

• Ensure successful integration of newly merged schools.
• Lead and support Trust-wide people projects.
• Provide operational people partnering to schools.

Skills

Problem-solving mindset

Analytical skills

Leadership collaboration

Job description

About The Priory Learning Trust

TPLT grew from an intent to bring the power of partnership and sharing to bear and provide a first‑class education to a wide range of children from all backgrounds. At our heart is a passion to put Students First and deliver exceptional education; beyond outstanding for every single child. We do this with a relentless drive for academic excellence shared moral purpose and values combined with lots of fun and happiness. We believe that happy schools are also high‑achieving successful schools. We strive for partnerships between students, families, staff and the wider community to create exceptional student outcomes. We also cherish our staff. We believe that they are amazing and are passionate to empower them through support training and career opportunities. With such brilliant people all aiming for the same goals we are able to ensure every student achieves all that they are capable of and more regardless of their background.

Role Overview

The Priory Learning Trust is seeking a highly motivated, solutions‑focused People Partner (Projects and Policies) to play a pivotal role in supporting our schools through an exciting period of growth, collaboration and transformation. This is a unique opportunity to join us at a defining moment as we work closely with nine schools from CSET in South Gloucestershire with a shared ambition to soon come together as the Pathway Trust. As our Trust evolves this role will be central to ensuring our people plans keep pace with change, placing staff wellbeing, consistency and strong leadership at the heart of everything we do so we can continue to raise outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

You will play a critical role in ensuring newly merged and joining schools are successfully integrated from day one, with clear policies, consistent processes and strong embedded people practices across the Trust. This is a dual‑focused role: you will lead and support key Trust‑wide people projects, with a particular emphasis on merger activity, harmonisation, integration and policy development; and you will provide trusted operational people partnering to schools, coaching and empowering leaders to manage their teams with confidence, consistency and clarity.

You will also work collaboratively with the Director of People, HR Leadership Team, Headteachers and Senior Leaders to deliver high‑quality, values‑led people advice that supports organisational change and strengthens leadership capability across our schools.

Candidate Qualifications

• Highly motivated and solutions‑focused, with significant experience in a senior HR or People Partner role.
• Proven track record of working closely with Headteachers and senior leaders, providing confident pragmatic advice.
• Can work independently and proactively, navigating complexity with an agile problem‑solving mindset.
• Experience leading or supporting organisational change projects or merger and integration activity.
• Strong analytical skills alongside a proactive, values‑driven approach to HR.
• Passionate about supporting schools to deliver the very best outcomes for children and young people.

Benefit Package

• The PLaTform – Access to our dedicated wellbeing centre & exclusive shopping discounts.
• Healthshield – Funded Healthcare Scheme for employees and all dependents, including a 24/7 GP Line & Healthcare cashback.
• Discounted nursery fees for parents and grandparents at our Academy pre‑schools.
• Contributory pension scheme offering generous employer contribution rates.
• CPD opportunities both internally & externally.
• A very friendly school community with dedicated supportive & inspiring colleagues.
• Health & Fitness offers including incredible discounts on @Worle Sports Centre, Nuffield Health and a Cycle‑to‑Work Scheme.
• Flu vaccinations.

Safeguarding, Equality and Legal

The Priory Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All paid positions which involve working regularly within academies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must declare all convictions (including convictions with Absolute Discharge) cautions or bind‑overs you may have even if they would otherwise be regarded as Spent under this Act and where applicable any disqualifications under the Childcare Act.

The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are protected and are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service filtering guide.

This role involves working with children on a daily basis and is therefore in regulated activity.

Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, online searches and Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

Please see the following links to our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy and Recruitment and Selection policy.

Application

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early.