Human Resources Officer

People are at the heart of every great school, and we're looking for an experienced HR professional who can help our people thrive. As HR Officer at Abbeyfield School, you'll be the first point of contact for HR matters, supporting colleagues throughout the employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to employee relations, absence management and wellbeing. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a solid foundation in HR who is looking to further develop their knowledge and gain wider exposure to advisory-level HR practice within a supportive and experienced team.

Job Title: HR Officer

Location: Abbeyfield School, Northampton

Start Date: September 2026

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Final date to receive applications: Monday 17th August 2026

Interview Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026

Abbeyfield School is seeking a proactive and highly organised HR professional who is passionate about delivering an excellent employee experience. You'll already have experience working within an HR environment and be confident managing a varied workload, balancing competing priorities, and building positive relationships with colleagues across the academy. This role would particularly suit someone looking to build on their existing HR knowledge and develop towards a more advisory-focused HR career.

Our Ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working within an HR environment, including supporting recruitment processes and managing HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Have an understanding of GDPR, safeguarding requirements and the importance of maintaining accurate employee records.
• Have a good understanding of HR policies, recruitment and absence management processes.
• Be highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

The Human Resources Team at Creative Education Trust is dedicated to providing professional, pragmatic and solutions-focused support to our schools on all people-related matters. Our team delivers the Trust's People Strategy, helping to make our academies great places to work and positioning Creative Education Trust as an employer of choice for both teaching and support staff.

As HR Officer at Abbeyfield School, you will be the first point of contact for HR matters within the academy, supporting colleagues throughout the employee lifecycle. Working closely with academy leaders and the Regional HR Business Partner, you'll play a key role in recruitment, onboarding, absence management, compliance and employee relations.

What makes this role particularly exciting is the opportunity for professional growth. You'll benefit from mentoring and coaching from an experienced Regional HR Business Partner, exposure to a broad range of HR casework and projects, and opportunities to collaborate with the wider Trust HR team. This will provide valuable insight into advisory-level HR practice and support the next stage of your HR career.

Abbeyfield School is a values-led community where staff are supported, empowered, and inspired to make a real impact. Guided by our principles of Ambition, Respect, and Kindness, we foster a collaborative culture where every team member plays a vital role in shaping the future of our students. Staff wellbeing is a genuine priority, with clear systems, consistent processes, and a calendar that supports work-life balance.

Professional development is central to our ethos. Whether you're starting out or stepping into leadership, you'll benefit from high-quality CPD, coaching, and opportunities to collaborate across Creative Education Trust schools. Our students are curious, courteous, and eager to learn, and our inclusive, restorative approach to behaviour helps every learner feel safe and supported.

Abbeyfield is a school where staff are trusted to lead, reflect, and grow. With excellent facilities and a strong team ethos, it’s a place where you can develop your career and be part of something meaningful. If you’re looking for a school that values its people and puts students at the heart of everything, Abbeyfield is the place for you. To find out more please visit our website.

Creative Education Trust is a growing network of 17 schools, educating over 13,500 children and young people across England. Since 2010, we’ve worked in partnership with communities to deliver an education that inspires ambition, promotes equity, and unlocks opportunity for every learner.

We believe every child has talent, every community has strength, and every school can be a place where excellence thrives. Our curriculum is rich, broad, and inclusive - designed to build knowledge, nurture creativity, and prepare students for the future.

We are united by a shared purpose: to…