Key Role Information

Salary
£40,777 - £45,091 pa (pay award pending)
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
01/09/2026 09:00
Interview
Shortly after the closing date
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
Support Staff | 30 - 34
Department
People & Culture
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
52.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

We require an enthusiastic and proactive People & Culture Business Partner to play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of a proactive and forward-thinking HR service across our Trust. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR Advisor looking to step into a Business Partner role, or for an established HR Business Partner seeking to broaden their experience within a values-driven educational environment.

As an experienced HR professional, you will understand how people practices contribute to organisational success and help bring our Trust vision and values to life. Working closely with academy leadership teams, you will provide expert advice and support across a broad range of employee relations matters, ensuring timely and effective resolution while helping leaders navigate organisational change and transformation programmes.


WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a confident and credible HR professional who can build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and provide practical, solution-focused advice.

You will have:

  1. Proven experience across all aspects of operational HR delivery.
  2. A strong understanding of employment legislation and the ability to apply this effectively in practice, identifying and mitigating organisational risk.
  3. Experience managing a varied employee relations caseload independently and confidently.
  4. The ability to contribute to and support HR projects that drive positive change and continuous improvement across the Trust.
  5. Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and support diverse audiences.
  6. Strong organisational skills, a calm and professional approach, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.

Most importantly, you will be someone who enjoys working collaboratively while also being confident operating independently. As a trusted partner to our academies, you will regularly visit the schools you support, building positive relationships with leaders and colleagues, while also working closely with the central People & Culture team on Trust-wide initiatives and projects.


WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

  1. We recognise the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance. While this role involves regular travel to the academies you support and collaboration with colleagues across the Trust, we offer a flexible hybrid working approach, including the opportunity to work from home one day per week. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible, enabling our colleagues to balance the needs of the role with their personal commitments.
  2. Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 29 days and increasing to 34 days after 5 years' service
  3. LGPS pension scheme
  4. A range of employee benefits, including a Cycle to Work scheme and free on-site parking.
  5. The opportunity to work alongside highly skilled and supportive professionals.
  6. A strong commitment to professional development and continuous learning.
  7. Wider career development opportunities across the Gosforth Group, enabling you to broaden your experience and impact.


If you would like to discuss this vacancy further please contact Helen Taylor - Director of People & Culture, email: helen.taylor@gosforthgroup.org.uk.

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date. 

The Trust is committed to equality, inclusion and diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Qualifications

CIPD or other appropriate HR qualification or relevant experienceessential
Level 5
Training/Coaching Qualificationdesirable

Skills

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

Strong employment law knowledge with the ability to apply employment law concepts in a flexible way balancing legal compliance with Trust valuesessential

Experience

Experience of supervising staff
Experience of working with Trade Unions
Experience of working within an educational setting, ideally an academy or school
Experience of supporting the development of HR operational processes
Experience of report writing
Experience of Safer Recruitment practices
Experience of Learning and Development methods
Experience of delivering HR related training
Working experience of the Burgundy and Green Book

About Us


Corporate Services Team

Joanne Clapperton

joanne.clapperton@gosforthgroup.org.uk

c/o North Gosforth Academy
Dudley Lane
Seaton Burn
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE13 6EJ

Safeguarding Information

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.  This means certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide and you can view our Policy on the Employment of Ex-offenders on our website within Trust Policies.    

Gosforth Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. References will be requested prior to interview for those candidates shortlisted. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, along with other relevant pre-employment checks.