HR Officer required ASAP
Mon-Fri - 35 hours per week
Term Time + INSET and 10 days to be worked in school holidays (41 weeks)
Salary Sc5 (pt13-15) (£34,863 - £35,892) pro-rata
Actual salary £31,663 - £32,597per annum
Sydenham School is seeking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated HR Officer to support the Head of HR across all aspects of the school’s HR function.
The successful candidate will deliver a first‑class, professional and approachable HR service to the whole school community. The role covers a wide range of responsibilities, including payroll processing, recruitment, HR administration, DBS processing, issuing contracts of employment, and coordinating statutory returns such as the workforce census and other required data submissions.
We are seeking a candidate with strong experience in payroll processing, hands on involvement in recruitment activities and a sound understanding of employment terms and conditions. Strong IT skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively under pressure are essential. You will need to be an outstanding communicator, both verbally and in writing and demonstrate exceptional administrative and organisational abilities.
Experience working within a school environment would be advantageous. Flexibility is vital in meeting the varied and complex needs of a large school, as is the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, staff, Governors, and the wider school community.
We believe that all of our students are capable of performing highly. Sydenham School can offer you excellent professional development and rewarding opportunities, working with a forward-thinking Senior Leadership Team that is passionate about the achievement and progress of every student in the school.
If you are interested in an opportunity to build on established success an application pack can be downloaded from our website at: https://www.sydenham.lewisham.sch.uk/about/vacancies
Please speak to Allison Costello, Head of HR for more information about the
post: 0208 699 6731 ext 424
The closing date for applications is 9.00am on 20/04/2026
Interview date to be confirmed
Previous applicants need not apply
The school is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity. We have a clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safeguarding is the ‘golden thread’ that runs through the school. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Original evidence of the right to work within the United Kingdom will be required prior to commencement of employment i.e. National Insurance Number, Work Permits or Indefinite Leave to Remain. If the applicant has lived/worked overseas for 12 months or more since the age of 18, they will also be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country(ies) they lived/work in at their own expense and provide these for our records.
Lewisham is a vibrant and culturally diverse borough. This reflected in all aspects of daily life, from the response to the pandemic where the community rallied to support our most vulnerable residents, to the 170 languages spoken in our homes, schools and businesses. We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
As we plan ahead, we are working towards a fairer, greener, healthier and more economically sound future for all in Lewisham. This means continuing our efforts to tackle climate change for generations to come; ensuring that good health and wellbeing is equally accessible to everyone; and safeguarding local jobs and up-skilling residents with tools they need to succeed. Building on the community spirit and activism that has been so prevalent in recent years, we are committed to creating a Future Lewisham we can all have a part in.
