Head of HR

Full time - 36 hours per week

Working hours – 8am to 4pm, with 48 minutes lunch break (some flexibility can be accommodated)

Contract - Permanent

Working Pattern - All Year Round (AYR – 52 weeks)

Paddock Special School has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, CIPD qualified, self-motivated, hardworking, strategic thinking Head of HR to lead our existing HR team of Advisors and Assistants with a commitment to ensure the delivery of a high-quality HR service.

This is a pivotal role, working to maintain a positive staff culture and lead the strategy and operation of HR during a period of rapid expansion. The successful applicant will report to the Head of Operations and work closely with the senior leadership team. The ideal candidate will be friendly and proactive and have relevant HR experience, (gained in a school environment or the commercial sector), be highly organised and able to act with integrity, compassion and empathy.

We currently have close to 200 staff positions with 215 pupils on roll, split across 2 sites. In September 2025, our secondary provision will move from Priory Lane to a brand-new purpose-built provision in Tooting (Broadwater Road), resulting in an increase in roll to over 300 pupils with a similar increase in staff.

The successful candidate will build on our existing values led culture where staff feel appreciated and enjoy their work. Please arrange a visit to our school, where you will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet our dedicated staff, and witness first-hand the wonderful nurturing environment that Paddock offers.

Paddock is a special place where we put pupil’s interests first in everything we do. We are an Ofsted outstanding and innovative special school for pupils aged 4 – 19 with severe learning difficulties. Most of our children also have a diagnosis of autism. 

We offer: 

• Highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme

• Generous holidays

• An outstanding training programme 

• Access to employee wellbeing scheme 

• Opportunities for promotion within the school

• Cycle 2 Work

• Smart Schools Benefits (which include Lifestyle Savings, Wellness support, saving scheme for everyday expenses), shopping discounts etc. 

We would be delighted if you joined with us on this journey. 

We welcome visits to the school. Please contact recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk to arrange a suitable time and date.

An information pack, including a Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below or from the Wandsworth Council website https://jobs.richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk/

Alternatively, please contact the school for any further details by email recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk.

CV’s and completed applications should be returned to the school either by email recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk or posted to the Secondary School addressed for the attention of the HR Advisor.

Closing date: 23rd August 2024 (at 5pm)

Interview dates: We advise the candidates to apply as soon as possible and reserve the right to interview before the closing date and the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Paddock School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  

All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Please be advised that CVs are accepted for individuals interested in scheduling a school visit. However, to advance in the recruitment process, submission of the application form is essential.

Paddock Primary School

St Margaret’s Crescent

Putney

SW15 6HL

Tel: 020 8878 1521

Head of School: Deborah Dockery

Paddock Upper School & Sixth Form

Priory Lane

Roehampton

SW15 5RT

Tel: 020 8878 1521

Acting Head of School: Frances Young

Executive Headteacher: Sarah Santos

Website: https://www.paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk/