Head of HR - Jan 2023

Head of Human Resources (HR) Something Special is happening at Godstowe www.godstowe.org

Contents Welcome from the Headmistress Head of Human Resources (HR) About the role About you Benefits of Godstowe Next Steps

Welcome to Godstowe As you begin your application and the recruitment process, we hope you enjoy learning more about our School and what makes Godstowe an exceptional place to work.

Ultimately, schools are about the people and our traditional yet modern outlook and values sit at the heart of all we do. We offer superb facilities, including a Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Theatre, Recital Hall and three Boarding Houses.

Our outstanding reputation is built on the dedication and skills of our staff. Every member of the Godstowe team contributes towards the School's thriving community. We seek to recruit well-qualified and enthusiastic staff who demonstrate knowledge of, and passion for, their area of expertise and who can contribute to the wider life of the School. In return, the School provides staff with a wide variety of opportunities to develop professionally within a supportive team and wonderful working environment.

Thank you for your interest in joining Godstowe. We hope that you will find the information in this pack useful and we look forward to hearing from you if you feel that this post may suit your skills and experience.

Good Luck

Miss Kate Bailey Headmistress

Head of Human Resources (HR) We are looking for someone who will provide a first-class HR and recruitment management service to Godstowe staff. The successful candidate would report to the Head for all HR issues and a range of compliance issues across the School and will be the principal contact with specialist external advisors. They will work closely with the Head’s PA and external advisers to ensure that the Head has full support for all recruitment and other HR matters.

They will be responsible for all recruitment, HR processes and procedures throughout the school including recruitment, induction, probation, employee relations, training, disciplinary, capability and absence management. They would ensure that Godstowe is fully compliant with HR processes, safer recruitment best practice and that the single central register (SCR) is fully compliant, accurate and up to date. They would be expected to advise the Head and DFO on any employment law legislation updates, HR processes or staffing matters.

Key Responsibilities To lead and manage a professional, high quality, efficient HR service for the school, balancing the day-to-day operational work of the department with strategic HR matters.

To develop HR strategy for the school and work closely with the Head and DFO on people related plans.

To embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the HR Department’s work.

To identify areas for development and put action plans forward for HR projects.

To always consider ways in which the HR function could add value to the school.

Hours 37.5 hours per week in term time (8.30-5.00pm).

Working hours during the school holidays are 10.00am-3.00pm.

In addition, the job holder may be required to work additional hours as considered necessary to meet the needs of the school, for example, attending external facing events initiated by the Head as part of the support function for the School.

About the role HR Administration Provide administrative support and back up for all HR matters on a general basis Set up and then maintain the HR database and hard HR files to ensure that accurate information is available for review Prepare Contracts of Employment and supporting documents, as required, in line with templates provided by external legal advisers To have overall responsibility for the school’s single central register (SCR), ensuring that it is accurate and always maintained and inspection ready To maintain records of SCR reviews, meet with the Safeguarding Governor on a termly basis to review the SCR and meet with ISI inspectors when the school is inspected To ensure that the school is compliant with ISI regulations in relation to recruitment and employment Preparation of referral paperwork for the DBS, TRA and Charities Commission when necessary Ensure all HR policies are reviewed and updated in accordance with current legislation in a timely manner Monitor staff absence following information provided by Line Managers and trigger appropriate action, including prompting Line Managers to conduct and document Return to Work interviews Assist with grievance and disciplinary procedures to ensure correct procedures are followed Provide a point of contact for those seeking HR information and provide accurate responses to queries relating to, for example, maternity arrangements or sick pay Provide reports as required by Head and Senior Leadership Team Provide HR metrics and data and appropriate analysis for the school’s leadership teams and Governors Bring to the Head’s attention and/or work with the Head on any HR or employment issues that may arise Seek legal advice from external advisors on any employment law or personnel practice matters where appropriate Oversee the staff training register and ensure that compliance is evidenced in the relevant areas, for teaching and non-teaching staff

About the role Recruitment Recruitment of all new employees, ensuring that necessary compliance and best practice is adhered to and that Godstowe is promoted as an employer of choice Manage the recruitment of all new Staff, Peripatetic Music Teachers, Governors, Contractors, Activity Providers, Volunteers and Work Experience students including drafting and placing of adverts Arrange packs for shortlisting panels and provide shortlisting skills grids when required Arrange interviews, tasks and lesson observations ensuring interview questions are relevant and compliant Ensure prompt and timely completion of all pre-employment checks and enquiries for all recruited roles, providing the file to the Head for sign off when complete Create offer letters and contracts/service provision agreements for all new appointments ready for the Head to sign Oversee all changes to terms and conditions/contractual changes, ensuring timely completion Ensure leavers are processed in a timely manner and that personnel files are always up to date Ensure paperwork for new starters, contract changes and leaver information are provided to the payroll provider in a timely manner After appointment, refer the new employee to relevant colleagues to ensure a timely and appropriate induction programme is in place During probationary period, prompt Line Managers to conduct regular review meetings to ensure any issues are identified and appropriate responses put in place and documented Ensure that, at the end of probationary periods, appropriate documentation is issued Monitor the school’s recruitment budget and other HR related costs

Training and Development for non-teaching staff In conjunction with the Deputy Head School Development and the DFO, devise a suitable performance management process, communicate this to Line Managers and support Line Managers in executing this Ensure that training and development needs that have been identified as part of the performance management process are recorded on the personnel files and prompt Line Managers to address these needs.

About the role Compliance Officer Address compliance with regard to several ISI regulations including, but not exclusively, Provision of Information to Parents, Parental Complaints, Admission and Attendance Registers, Safeguarding with regard to Visitors to the Site, Data Protection Work with the Head and the Marketing and Communications Officer on the annual review of all policies to ensure that these policies are updated and available in both paper and electronic versions in the appropriate location Be aware of and bring to the attention of SLT and Governors compliance areas when they are updated, completing ISI Compliance Inspector training when appropriate Ensure that data is accurately maintained that electronic and paper records are up-todate and are kept in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

Data Protection Be fully aware of current Data Protection legislation together with future planned changes Ensure that correct procedures and processes are in place to comply with the current legislation Ensure that the staff receive relevant training and updates as required

Other duties Work on allocated projects and reports as directed by the Head of Director of Finance and Operations Other duties as may be reasonably requested including, as a member of the School Office, supporting other team members in the execution of their duties.

About you Essential

Desirable

Method of assessment

Good standard of education Qualifications

CIPD Level 5 minimum, and 7 preferred Significant HR experience, including providing HR advice and support to managers and senior leaders.

Experience Demonstratable experience of recruitment and selection, compliance data protection and performance management

Chartered member of the CIPD

HR experience in an education environment for at least 2 years is highly desirable

Certificates

Application form and references

Line management experience

Strong Communication skills (verbal and written) Excellent interpersonal skills; able to communication effectively with people on all different levels Good ICT skills (including MS Word, Excel and Outlook)

Skills and Knowledge

Strong organisational skills - able to process and organise large amounts of information working alone or as a member of a team Experience using HR systems Able to collate and manipulate data, using databases or other systems Comprehensive knowledge of current employment law and good HR practice

Experience of safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Application form, references and interview

About you Essential

Desirable

Method of assessment

Diplomatic and able to handle confidential matters in a sensitive mannger Professional and confident with the ability to form effective relationships with people at all levels Sound judgement and problemsolving skills Self-motivated and able to use initiative to prioritise work and meet deadlines Strong attention to detail and accuracy Personal competencies and qualities

Pro-active and able to assimilate information quickly Ability to be flexible to meet the needs of the school Safeguarding matters: motivation to work with children and young people ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours positive attitude to use of authority and maintaining discipline

Interview and references

Benefits of Godstowe Some of the benefits that we offer: Friendly and supportive team Free school meals during term time Discounted fees for children of staff Access to staff swimming sessions Access to The Wellbeing Hub Free on-site parking Training and Development

I've worked here for almost 20 years.

My daughters attended the school and loved it! It's a great environment to work in and you really can get involved in anything!

Working at Godstowe is a great opportunity. The school really is like one giant family. I joined during the pandemic and everyone, staff and children, were very welcoming.

Next Steps Application deadline: 6th January 2023 Interviews: mid-January Please note, due the competitive job market, we advise you to complete your application in plenty of time.

To apply for this position please read our Safeguarding and Recruitment policies, which can be found on our website, complete our application form and send it, together with a covering letter, to the Headmistress, Ms Kate Bailey.

Applications can be submitted via email to hr@godstowe.org.