HR Officer

SYDENHAM SCHOOL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A secondary school in Greater London is looking for an experienced HR Officer to provide comprehensive HR support to the Head of HR. Responsibilities include payroll processing, recruitment activities, and HR administration. The successful candidate should possess strong IT skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. The role offers a salary range of £30,118 - £31,007 per annum and is term time only, plus additional working days during holidays.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in payroll processing and recruitment activities.
• Sound understanding of employment terms and conditions.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication and exceptional administrative and organisational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR support across all aspects of the school’s HR function.
• Process payroll and associated administration.
• Manage recruitment activities including job postings and interviews.
• Maintain accurate employee records and coordinate statutory returns.

Skills

Payroll processing

Recruitment activities

Strong IT skills

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organisational abilities

Job description

Overview

Sydenham School is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated HR Officer to support the Head of HR across all aspects of the school's HR function. The successful candidate will deliver a first-class, professional and approachable HR service to the whole school community. The role covers a wide range of responsibilities, including payroll processing, recruitment, HR administration, DBS processing, issuing contracts of employment, and coordinating statutory returns such as the workforce census and other required data submissions.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR support to the Head of HR across all aspects of the school’s HR function.
• Payroll processing and associated administration.
• Recruitment activities, including job postings, shortlisting, interviewing support and issuing contracts of employment.
• HR administration, DBS processing, and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Coordinate statutory returns and data submissions (e.g., workforce census).
• Maintain strong IT systems usage, data accuracy, and attention to detail under pressure.
• Communicate effectively with staff, students, families, Governors and the wider school community.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Strong experience in payroll processing and recruitment activities.
• Sound understanding of employment terms and conditions.
• Strong IT skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, and exceptional administrative and organisational abilities.
• Experience working in a school environment is advantageous.
• Flexibility and the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, staff, Governors and the wider school community.

Contract Details

• Role: HR Officer
• Hours: Mon-Fri, 35 hours per week
• Term Time + INSET and 10 days in school holidays (41 weeks)
• Salary: Sc5 (pt13-15) (£34,863 - £35,892) pro-rata; Actual salary £30,118 - £31,007 per annum

Application Information

• Application pack available from the school website: https://www.sydenham.lewisham.sch.uk/about/vacancies
• For more information: Allison Costello, Head of HR, 0208 699 6731 ext 424
• Closing date for applications: 9.00am on 05/02/2026
• Interview date: to be confirmed

The school is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Safeguarding is a priority, and all offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS check, references, an online search, and where applicable a prohibition from teaching check. Original evidence of the right to work in the United Kingdom will be required prior to commencement of employment.

Sydenham School is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated HR Officer to support the Head of HR across all aspects of the school's HR function. The successful candidate will deliver a first-class, professional and approachable HR service to the whole school community. The role covers a wide range of responsibilities, including payroll processing, recruitment, HR administration, DBS processing, issuing contracts of employment, and coordinating statutory returns such as the workforce census and other required data submissions. The same information is repeated above but is retained here to ensure complete context after formatting.