TKAT HR Assistant

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

Overview

Are you an organised, professional and people-focused administrator looking to develop your career in Human Resources?

The Keys Academy Trust is looking for an enthusiastic HR Assistant to join our central team and support the delivery of high-quality HR services across our family of schools. This is a rewarding opportunity to play an important role in supporting colleagues throughout their employment journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to payroll, compliance and employee records.

Working closely with the HR Manager, you'll help ensure our HR processes are efficient, accurate and compliant, enabling our schools to focus on delivering the very best education for children.

This role will be at The Keys Academy Trust, including working at specific schools within the Trust.

Role overview

As HR Assistant, you will provide professional administrative support across all aspects of Human Resources, helping to ensure employees receive an efficient, responsive and positive experience throughout their employment with the Trust.

Working within a supportive and collaborative central team, you'll gain experience across recruitment, payroll, employee records, compliance and HR administration while developing your knowledge of employment legislation and best practice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, values accuracy and wants to build a rewarding career in Human Resources.

Key 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.

About you

You're organised, approachable and enjoy supporting people. You understand the importance of professionalism, confidentiality and attention to detail, particularly when handling sensitive information. You communicate confidently, build positive working relationships and take pride in providing excellent customer service.

You enjoy working as part of a team but are equally confident managing your own workload and prioritising competing tasks. You're proactive, reliable and keen to develop your knowledge of Human Resources and employment practices.

Most importantly, you're committed to helping colleagues thrive so that our schools can continue delivering outstanding education for children. You share our values, embrace continuous improvement and are excited to contribute to the success of The Keys Academy Trust.

Requirements

• 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)

What's in it for you?

• Career development opportunities within a growing Multi Academy Trust.

• High-quality professional development and ongoing training.

• Opportunities to develop expertise across all aspects of Human Resources.

• A supportive, collaborative and friendly central team.

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution by supporting the people who make a difference to children's lives every day.

At The Keys Academy Trust, everything we do is underpinned by our values and our commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles): selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and welcome applicationswithout regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

The Keys Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced criminal records check.