Interim Head of HR and Administration (Maternity Cover)

DEPTFORD GREEN SCHOOL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive community school in London is seeking a Head of HR and Administration to join their Senior Leadership Team. This role involves shaping HR policies, managing an administrative team, and providing HR guidance to ensure a positive school culture. The ideal candidate will have significant HR experience and a CIPD qualification. This is a fixed-term position covering maternity leave from April 2026 until the end of December 2026.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR role.
• Ability to support the school’s people-centred approach.
• Experience within education is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the HR strategy.
• Manage the administrative team.
• Provide HR guidance to staff and leadership.

Skills

HR Generalist experience

People management

Relationship building

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

Overview

'Steering our journey towards becoming the leading Art school in Lewisham and beyond with exceptional academic and pastoral provision inclusively for all' Want to work in a progressive community school with creativity at its heart? Want to join a school where professional development and staff voice are core to our everyday practice? Join us at Deptford Green, an inner‑city London school with diversity, creativity, and community at its core. 'Catch the wind in your sails, Explore, Dream Discover' – this is our school motto and it underpins our ethos and philosophy. So, if you are a dynamic and passionate professional who wants to be part of something special, apply today.

Responsibilities

Head of HR and Administration – we are seeking an enthusiastic, experienced HR Generalist to join our Senior Leadership Team. Working closely with the Headteacher and the Director of Finance & Resources, you will help shape and deliver our people strategy, ensuring our HR policies and practices support a positive school culture. You will also manage the administrative team, who are experienced and incredibly efficient. Your role encompasses providing clear, confident HR guidance that supports staff and leadership teams and building positive working relationships throughout the school.

Qualifications

You will be CIPD‑qualified and bring significant experience in a senior HR role. Experience within education would be an advantage, but is not essential; what matters most is your ability to fulfil the responsibilities outlined above and to support the school’s people‑centred approach.

Other Information

This is a fixed‑term position to cover the maternity leave of a colleague from April 2026, likely until the end of December 2026. We look forward to welcoming a people‑centred HR professional who shares our commitment to creating a supportive and rewarding place to work.

Additional information: Deptford Green School is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people. We will only recruit those who share this commitment and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job and that all candidates are appropriately screened before appointment. Please ensure that you complete your application fully.

Any job offer will remain conditional until satisfactory completion of:

• References (which will be sought before the interview)
• Verification of past employment
• Verification of any gaps in employment
• Enhanced DBS check
• Barred list check
• Overseas criminal record check (if necessary)
• Identity check
• Right to work in the UK
• Evidence of qualifications applicable to the role
• Confirmation of accreditation with professional bodies where applicable
• A satisfactory health check (if applicable)

You are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time, once we have received sufficient applications.