Human Resources Officer

Abbeyfield School; Northampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbeyfield School in Northampton is seeking an experienced HR Officer to be the first point of contact for people matters, supporting colleagues across the employee journey from recruitment and onboarding to absence management and wellbeing.

You will join a proactive HR team and gain exposure to advisory-level practice within Creative Education Trust, with opportunities for professional growth and mentoring.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR environment including recruitment and HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Understanding of GDPR, safeguarding requirements and accurate employee records.
• Good understanding of HR policies, recruitment and absence management processes.
• Highly organised with ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

Responsibilities

• Support recruitment and onboarding across the employee lifecycle.
• Assist with absence management and wellbeing initiatives.
• Be the first point of contact for HR matters within the academy.
• Support compliance and maintenance of employee records and HR processes.

Skills

HR administration

Recruitment support

GDPR awareness

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Discretion with information

Job description

People are at the heart of every great school, and we're looking for an experienced HR professional who can help our people thrive. As HR Officer at Abbeyfield School, you'll be the first point of contact for HR matters, supporting colleagues throughout the employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to employee relations, absence management and wellbeing. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a solid foundation in HR who is looking to further develop their knowledge and gain wider exposure to advisory-level HR practice within a supportive and experienced team.

Job Title: HR Officer

Location: Abbeyfield School, Northampton

Start Date: September 2026

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Application Closing Date: Monday 17th August 2026

Interview Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026

About You:

Abbeyfield School is seeking a proactive and highly organised HR professional who is passionate about delivering an excellent employee experience. You'll already have experience working within an HR environment and be confident managing a varied workload, balancing competing priorities, and building positive relationships with colleagues across the academy. This role would particularly suit someone looking to build on their existing HR knowledge and develop towards a more advisory-focused HR career.

Our Ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working within an HR environment, including supporting recruitment processes and managing HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Have an understanding of GDPR, safeguarding requirements and the importance of maintaining accurate employee records.
• Have a good understanding of HR policies, recruitment and absence management processes.
• Be highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

About the HR Department:

The Human Resources Team at Creative Education Trust is dedicated to providing professional, pragmatic and solutions-focused support to our schools on all people-related matters. Our team delivers the Trust's People Strategy, helping to make our academies great places to work and positioning Creative Education Trust as an employer of choice for both teaching and support staff.

As HR Officer at Abbeyfield School, you will be the first point of contact for HR matters within the academy, supporting colleagues throughout the employee lifecycle. Working closely with academy leaders and the Regional HR Business Partner, you'll play a key role in recruitment, onboarding, absence management, compliance and employee relations.

What makes this role particularly exciting is the opportunity for professional growth. You'll benefit from mentoring and coaching from an experienced Regional HR Business Partner, exposure to a broad range of HR casework and projects, and opportunities to collaborate with the wider Trust HR team. This will provide valuable insight into advisory-level HR practice and support the next stage of your HR career.

About Abbeyfield School:

Abbeyfield School is a values-led community where staff are supported, empowered, and inspired to make a real impact. Guided by our principles of Ambition, Respect, and Kindness, we foster a collaborative culture where every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of our students. Staff wellbeing is a genuine priority, with clear systems, consistent processes, and a calendar that supports work-life balance.

Professional development is central to our ethos. Whether you're starting out or stepping into leadership, you'll benefit from high-quality CPD, coaching, and opportunities to collaborate across Creative Education Trust schools. Our students are curious, courteous, and eager to learn, and our inclusive, restorative approach to behaviour helps every learner feel safe and supported.

Abbeyfield is a school where staff are trusted to lead, reflect, and grow. With excellent facilities and a strong team ethos, it’s a place where you can develop your career and be part of something meaningful. If you’re looking for a school that values its people and puts students at the heart of everything, Abbeyfield is the place for you. To find out more please visit our website.

About Creative Education Trust:

Creative Education Trust is a growing network of 17 schools, educating over 13,500 children and young people across England. Since 2010, we’ve worked in partnership with communities to deliver an education that inspires ambition, promotes equity, and unlocks opportunity for every learner.

We believe every child has talent, every community has strength, and every school can be a place where excellence thrives. Our curriculum is rich, broad, and inclusive - designed to build knowledge, nurture creativity, and prepare students for the future.

We are united by a shared purpose: to transform lives through education. Our schools are places where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead their own lives with confidence. Through collaboration, high expectations, and purposeful leadership, we ensure that success is both expected and achieved - together.

Visit our Trust website to explore how we support our staff and discover more about our mission, values, and opportunities.

Creative Education Trust (CET) is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people by keeping them safe, we expect all our colleagues to share in this responsibility.

All shortlisted candidates are subject to online checks prior to interview.

The CET Recruitment Policy follows the guidance set out by Keeping Children Safe in Education, where all offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, separate Barred List Check, References and where appropriate a Prohibition from teaching search.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

CET is committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting an inclusive culture and environment for the benefit of its employees and the communities it serves.