Deputy Head of HR & Recruitment Lead

Appointment of Deputy Head of HR & Recruitment Lead

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until midday, Tuesday 11 June 2024

The HR Department

The HR Department works in partnership with the Senior Leadership & Management Team (SLMT) to drive improvement across a number of areas in the School The HR Department consists of the following team members: the Head of HR, Deputy Head of HR & Recruitment Lead, and HR Administrators.

The Deputy Head of HR & Recruitment Lead will have a primary focus on recruitment and professional development of staff (CPD). They will work closely with the Executive Committee, PA to the Principal and the Finance Department. The Deputy Head of HR & Recruitment Lead will also be required to deputise for the Head of HR in their absence.

New Hall provides the opportunity to work in a magnificent Grade I listed historic setting. The School has invested in exceptional outdoor learning. The School owns 150-acres of stunning grounds, which includes the new 70-acre New Hall Park Farm (2.5 miles from the main campus). With a staff of around 320, many of whom consider New Hall ‘home’, this is a fast-paced, varied and rewarding environment.

Salary & Benefits

Salary

The salary range for this role is £50,000pa-£58,000pa (M11-15)

School Fee Remission

School fee remission for staff children is granted in accordance with the provision at the time of commencing employment at New Hall. If your child is aged 4-11 and joins New Hall Preparatory Divisions, there is a reduction of one third of the day fees. If your child is aged 11-18 and joins New Hall Senior Divisions, there is a reduction of two thirds of the day fees. There is no staff fee remission for New Hall Nursery/Pre-School (ages 1-4).

Relocation package

There is a relocation package available with this role to assist with the costs of moving to the Chelmsford area. A new London rail station will open in 2025, at New Hall’s front gate: Stratford, 26 minutes; London Liverpool Street, 34 minutes. There are three nearby airports: London Southend, London Stansted and London City.

Holidays

You are entitled to 35 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays New Hall closes for two days between Christmas and New Year and for bank holidays; staff must set aside annual holiday entitlement to allow for these closures. The period of time for annual closure is kept under regular review and may vary in future years. Holiday should usually be taken during School holidays, as published in the School calendar Some holiday may be taken in term time, subject to approval by the Principal.

Pension

Support staff are automatically enrolled in the designated stakeholder pension scheme provided by Standard Life, subject to meeting the qualifying conditions. Pension contribution rates are 5% for employees and New Hall currently matches employee contributions up to 4%.

Training

New Hall is committed to professional development of staff and will support further inservice training as required. There are generous INSET and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) budgets. Funding for CIPD qualifications is available, following the successful completion of the probationary period.

Lunch in Term Time

Currently, all staff are provided with lunch without charge during term time. This is subject to annual review.

Sport Club Membership

As an employee, you will be able to make use of an annual membership for the New Hall Sport Club (currently £20pa plus £5pa for family members), with effect from your start date. Membership includes Club time use of:

• 25-metre, 6-lane indoor swimming pool

• 10 floodlit tennis/netball courts

• Fitness Suite, which comprises a range of cardiovascular equipment and free weights

• Athletics track

• 12 golf practice bays

IT Equipment

You will receive a School laptop and iPhone for work purposes.

Hours of work

Your hours of work will be 8.45am-5.45pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. Working from home one day per week will be considered. You will have a one-hour unpaid break each day. Support staff generally work an average of 40 hours per week over the course of a calendar year but in view of the seniority of the role, you may be required to work additional hours for the proper performance of your duties. The holiday entitlement and salary range has been enhanced to reflect when the working hours may be increased. A degree of flexibility is required. Due to the nature of the role in an educational setting, with its emphasis on community and safeguarding, this role is mainly performed at the School site. All staff are required to attend INSET (staff training) days.

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Strategy

1.1 to contribute to the provision of an effective and supportive HR service; working with the Head of HR to define priorities and to adapt resources to meet requirements

1.2 to keep up-to-date on inspection criteria and employment law, working with the Head of HR to ensure New Hall’s HR policies and procedures are compliant and effective

1.3 to assist the Head of HR with the implementation and evaluation of the School Development Plan, in line with the School’s strategic aims

1.4 to contribute to planning and monitoring the wellbeing provision for staff

1.5 to support the Pay Review Committee with the annual pay review process

1.6 to undertake HR projects with the Head of HR as required by the HR Committee

2. Recruitment

2.1 to oversee, and to deliver, a recruitment process that maximises high quality applications and provides first class experience for applicants, ensuring the strongest possible appointments

2.2 to assist with vacancy tracking

2.3 to prepare recruitment packs and to advertise vacancies internally and externally

2.4 to ensure references are requested prior to interview

2.5 to check references received, highlighting any areas of concern/interest to the Head of HR/Principal/interview panel Chair

2.6 to assist with the shortlisting process and the creation of effective interview questions

2.7 to plan an effective interview programme

2.8 to be on interview panels

2.9 to ensure that pre-employment checks are complete and satisfactory prior to commencement of employment

2.10 to be responsible for updating the Single Central Register on a timely basis

2.11 to assist with analysis of staff costs by department, making recommendations for efficiencies

2.12 to develop and maintain partnerships to support recruitment activities (e.g. with colleges and universities, newspapers and recruitment agencies)

3. Induction, Performance Management, Training and Development

3.1 to be the HR lead on developing and training staff and addressing under performance

3.2 to oversee the half-termly/termly new staff induction meeting with SLMT (e.g. attendee invitations, catering, room bookings)

3.3 to liaise with line managers, ensuring they complete a thorough induction and probationary review process for new staff

3.4 to support the operation and evaluation of the annual professional development and performance management review process for staff

3.5 to conduct an annual job description review with the Head of HR

3.6 to ensure staff training records are up-to-date

3.7 to support the INSET arrangements at the start of each academic year

4. Employee Relations

4.1 to assist the Head of HR on the delivery of disciplinary, grievance, capability and restructuring processes

4.2 to provide advice to SLMT, managers and staff in accordance with School policies

5. Governance and Reporting

5.1 to provide reporting on training, recruitment and retention for analysis by the Head of HR/HR Committee

5.2 to contribute to Staff Handbook and Employment Manual updates

5.3 to assist with the completion of the School’s censuses and other returns

5.4 to assist with providing complete documentation to aid inspection processes

5.5 to assist with the maintenance of staff files and staff data on the School’s management information systems (MIS) (WCBS Pass, Educare, iSAMS)

All staff are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students at New Hall School by ensuring compliance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. It is a requirement of all staff to report any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of students to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

All staff must ensure confidentiality of information, including the safeguarding of information about current, past and prospective employees; to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personnel information, subject to any legal rights of employees in respect of information relating to them. HR staff must abide by the Code of Conduct and Ethics set by The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

All staff are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students at New Hall School by ensuring compliance with the School’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. It is a requirement of all staff to report any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of students to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

This document summarises the main responsibilities of the post. All staff are required to undertake whatever else may reasonably be requested by the Principal. All staff are expected to uphold, support and realise the Catholic ethos of the School, as outlined in the Mission & Ethos Statement and Aims of the School. Job Descriptions are subject to annual review.

New Hall is committed to increasing the number of staff from ethnic minorities, across all roles and at all levels, to reflect our diverse student population. The Equal Opportunities Policy can be found on the website.

Person Specification

This post would suit a candidate seeking career development and opportunities to develop leadership and management skills, in this dynamic and forward-thinking School.

In addition to the below, all candidates should have a clear understanding of and a commitment to the aims of a Catholic independent school and be committed to the values and ethos at the heart of New Hall School as expressed in the Mission & Ethos Statement of the School.

Education & Training

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent)

• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent)

• Previous strategic HR experience (i.e. as an HR Adviser/HR Business Partner/HR Manager)

• Understanding of the importance of promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children

• Understanding of, and a commitment to, the aims of a Catholic independent school

• Excellent communication, in person and electronically

• Excellent spoken English

• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills, including the ability to tailor content and format to different stakeholder needs

• Excellent IT skills

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively

• Experience using a management information system

Desirable

• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent)

• Compliance training, e.g. Health & Safety, Data Protection

• Experience working in HR in education

• Experience of independent/boarding education

• Experience of line managing others

Personal Attributes

• Integrity and ability to give clear and consistent witness to the values embedded in the School’s Catholic ethos

• Empathy and sensitivity

• Approachability

• Discretion

• Motivated and proactive approach

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

• Committed to a drive for improvement

Application Process

If you would like a tour of the School or an opportunity to discuss the role on the telephone, please contact the Vice Principal who oversees the work of the HR Department, Katherine Reading: k.reading@newhallschool.co.uk or telephone 01245 467 588.

Closing date: midday on Tuesday 11 June 2024

You should submit a completed New Hall Application Form (available on the New Hall School website) to Laura Olsen, PA to Principal: l.olsen@newhallschool.co.uk.

The process is as follows:

• All applications will be acknowledged by email. If you have not received acknowledgement that your application has been received within two working days of sending it, please contact Laura Olsen, PA to Principal on: 01245 467 588.

• First round Zoom interviews will take place no later than the week commencing 10 June 2024

• Final round interviews will take place at New Hall School week commencing 17th June 2024

Working at New Hall

New Hall provides the opportunity to work in a stunning, Grade I listed historic setting. With a staff of around 320, many of whom consider the School ‘home’, New Hall offers a fast-paced, varied and rewarding environment in which to work.

Views of New Hall (above left) and the staff room (above right), located in the main School building

Indoor swimming pool (above left) and Fitness Suite (above right), available for staff use

Denford Bar & Lounge (above), available for staff use