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Business

Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship

DISCOVERY EDUCATIONAL TRUST · EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
Location
Brentwood, Essex
Postcode
CM13 2HG
Salary
Competitive
Duration
1 Year 9 Months
Hours per week
37h
Positions available
1
Level
Level 5 – Higher
Qualification
People professional (level 5)
Start date
16 November 2026
Application deadline
31 October 2026
Posted
30 September 2026
Vacancy reference
2000055636

About the role

  • Support the Director of HR with day-to-day HR activities across the Trust’s secondary schools
  • Advise and support managers and employees with HR queries and employee relations issues, such as absence, probation, capability, disciplinary and grievance matters
  • Help with recruitment and onboarding, including interview panels, induction and ensuring required training and checks are completed
  • Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, including personnel files and HR systems
  • Support safer recruitment and safeguarding processes, including checking DBS, training, Single Central Records (SCR) and compliance requirements
  • Assist with payroll administration by gathering information such as contract changes, overtime and leaver details
  • Monitor probation periods, arrange check-ins and follow up with managers where concerns arise
  • Support absence management, including monitoring sickness, conducting welfare calls, arranging return-to-work processes and identifying when Occupational Health support may be needed
  • Prepare HR reports and analyse data, such as absence, turnover, probation and employee engagement, identifying trends or gaps
  • Assist with employee relations cases, including investigations, meetings and hearings by organising documentation, taking notes and arranging meetings
  • Support Ofsted inspections by ensuring HR and safeguarding records are accurate and up to date
  • Help managers understand and follow HR policies, employment law and statutory guidance
  • Contribute to employee wellbeing initiatives and help promote good absence-management practices
  • Work closely with the central HR and Recruitment teams to ensure consistent processes across the Trust
  • Share good practice and knowledge between schools and contribute to Trust-wide HR projects and initiatives
  • Use technology to improve HR processes, reporting and workflows
  • Provide support to other HR colleagues, including acting as a first point of contact when the Director of HR is unavailable
  • Continue developing your own HR knowledge, particularly around employment law, policies and best practice

Working week

Monday to Friday Shifts to be confirmed

Skills

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsCustomer care skillsProblem solving skillsPresentation skillsAdministrative skillsNumber skillsAnalytical skillsLogicalTeam workingInitiativePatience

Required qualifications

Essential
GCSE · English · Grade C
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade C

Training & development

  • You will complete the Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship with Education and Skills Training and Development
  • You will be provided with protected time each week to complete assessments and assignments
Future prospects
  • Upon completion on the Apprenticeship you could be offered a permanent position within the Trust 

Company benefits

Pension scheme - also automatically includes Life Assurance
Generous Referral Bonus for employees who refer quality candidates 
Employee savings and discounts
Employee Assistance Programme – free confidential wellbeing support for employees and dependants
Bike2Work scheme
Health Cash plan to support with every day healthcare costs – e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy. Includes Virtual GP service

About DISCOVERY EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Discovery Educational Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) based in South Essex, currently responsible for five schools: three primary schools and two secondary schools. These are Chase High School, Hogarth Primary School, Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School, Larchwood Primary School and St Martin’s School. The Trust currently supports around 3,861 pupils and 513 staff.

Website
www.discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk/ourtrust/about-us/