34 hours per week
41 weeks per year (term-time plus two weeks)
Permanent contract
To start September 2026
EHCC Grade FTE £33,178 to £36,269
Actual salary £27,532 - £30,097
The Westgate School is a warm, vibrant and forward-thinking community where colleagues and pupils learn together. As an Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ school, we are proud of our culture of academic excellence.
Why join us?
Working at The Westgate School means becoming part of a friendly, skilled and supportive team invested in your success. With 1,620 pupils across our two phases, we are lucky to have excellent teaching facilities, including science laboratories, computing suites, and a purpose-built art and sculpture block. We take pride in a lovely environment for teaching and learning.
The Westgate School is the lead school for the Winchester Schools Training Alliance (WSTA), working with 21 other schools in the Winchester district to train the next generation of teachers. Support colleagues employed by The Westgate School wanting to go on to apply for the WSTA training programme will automatically be offered an interview providing the course requirements are met.
What Ofsted says:
“The Westgate School is a happy and vibrant community, where pupils are encouraged to aim for excellence” Ofsted, September 2022
“Outstanding” Ofsted, November 2023
“Staff are incredibly proud to work at this school” Ofsted 2024
Benefits of working at The Westgate School:
· Full induction programme including training and mentoring to ensure your success in the role
· Ongoing personal development in one of Hampshire’s top schools for progress and attainment
· A friendly and welcoming school community
· Automatic enrolment to a generous local government pension scheme
· Benefits of local government sick pay
· On-site parking and access to EV charging stations
· Free use of health and fitness facilities
· Preferential nursery places in the on-site nursery at a reduced price
· Preferential admission to The Westgate School for colleagues' children (after 2 years of employment)
What we’re looking for:
We are seeking to appoint a talented colleague to lead and manage the school's Human Resources, Recruitment and Communications functions, ensuring the delivery of professional, compliant and efficient HR services whilst developing innovative recruitment, marketing and communication strategies that strengthen the school's reputation and support the attraction, retention and development of high-quality staff.
The postholder will provide support and guidance to leaders and colleagues on HR matters, maintain compliance with employment legislation and statutory guidance, and lead the school's internal and external communications to promote and celebrate the achievements, values and ethos of The Westgate School.
There will be some flexibility regarding the hours worked in the role, that may include some home/off site working as agreed with the school, to enable the successful candidate to establish effective links with training providers
Key Responsibilities
Human Resources Management
· Act as the school's lead operational contact for HR matters, providing advice and guidance to leaders and colleagues.
· Maintain effective liaison with the school's external HR provider to ensure the timely resolution of employee relations matters.
· Ensure all HR processes comply with current employment legislation, contractual obligations and school policies.
· Maintain accurate personnel records and oversee HR administration systems.
· Support and administer processes relating to recruitment, induction, absence management, disciplinary matters, grievances and investigations.
· Provide guidance to colleagues regarding maternity, paternity, adoption, parental leave, flexible working, retirement and other employment-related matters.
· Ensure the accurate completion and submission of statutory returns, including the annual School Workforce Census.
· Support the review and development of job descriptions, role profiles and organisational structures.
· Monitor developments in employment legislation and best practice, making recommendations for policy and procedural updates.
· Review and update HR policies in response to statutory requirements, guidance from the school's HR provider, legal advisors, KCSIE and Local Authority guidance.
· Take minutes at HR meetings, hearings and formal proceedings as required.
· Recruitment and Retention
· Lead the school's recruitment strategy, ensuring the implementation of effective and innovative approaches to attracting high-quality candidates.
· Develop and coordinate recruitment events and promotional activities for key staffing vacancies.
· Design and implement advertising campaigns across a range of media platforms.
· Establish and maintain productive relationships with teacher training providers, universities and professional networks.
· Coordinate recruitment activities linked to Initial Teacher Training, Early Career Teachers and school-based training programmes. Oversee and administer Winchester Schools Teaching Alliance.
· Develop proactive engagement with talent pools to strengthen future recruitment opportunities.
· Promote The Westgate School as an employer of choice through positive employer branding and engagement activities.
· Ensure all recruitment processes fully comply with safer recruitment legislation and statutory guidance.
· HR Systems and Compliance
· Support payroll administration and ensure the timely completion of payroll-related processes.
· Oversee the accurate recording and monitoring of staff attendance and absence.
· Investigate opportunities to improve administrative efficiency through effective systems development and digital solutions.
· Develop and implement robust systems and procedures that ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
· Support safeguarding compliance through effective maintenance of staff records and recruitment documentation.
· Professional Development and Staff Support
· Take a leading role in supporting the administration and implementation of the school's Individual Professional Planning (IPP) framework.
· Support leaders in coordinating aspects of the school's professional learning and development programme.
· Contribute positively to the development of a supportive, professional and collaborative working environment.
· Provide leadership and direction to colleagues undertaking HR-related administrative responsibilities.
Communications and Marketing
· Maintain a whole-school communications calendar for parents, carers, staff, students and the wider community.
· Support communication strategies that enhance the school's profile and reputation.
· Use digital platforms, including Microsoft Sway, to create engaging, accessible communications.
· Ensure consistent messaging, house style and branding to promote the school’s core offer
· Draft press releases, publicity materials and promotional content.
· Plan and promote recruitment events, Open Mornings, Open Evenings and key school events.
· Work with IT and senior leaders to keep the website accurate, current, accessible and DfE-compliant.
· Oversee the production of pupil and colleague handbooks.
· Ensure published materials meet agreed quality standards.
Administrative Leadership
· Lead and supervise colleagues providing administrative support within HR, recruitment and communications functions.
· Promote collaborative working practices and contribute to continuous improvement across administrative services.
General Responsibilities
· Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school's safeguarding policies and procedures.
· Maintain confidentiality and discretion in relation to all school information.
· Participate in training and professional development activities as required.
· Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibility of the post.
Person Specification
Essential
· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
· Strong understanding of HR processes and employment legislation.
· Experience of recruitment and talent attraction strategies.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· High level of IT proficiency and confidence using digital platforms.
· Experience of project management and leading change initiatives.
· Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
· Experience of producing professional publications and communications materials.
· Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
· Understanding of safer recruitment requirements and safeguarding obligations.
· Experience of managing events, marketing activities or communications campaigns.
· Strong leadership and people management skills.
Desirable
· CIPD qualification or working towards professional HR accreditation.
· Experience within an educational setting or HR provider to education
· Experience of school workforce systems and payroll processes.
· Experience of website management/creative and digital communications.
· Knowledge of statutory education guidance including KCSIE and workforce regulations.
Safeguarding:
The Westgate School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
Pre-employment checks:
All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks, which will include an online search to identify any incidents or issues that have happened and are publicly available online, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education recommendations.
Child Protection Policy:
You can find The Westgate School’s Child Protection Policy document on our policies webpage.
Equal Opportunities:
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
AI:
We encourage applicants to avoid using AI for their application and if doing so, please state this in the application. Please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own as it forms part of the basis upon which future employment may be decided.
How to apply:
Please apply via Education Jobs South. Hampshire County Council Jobs - Hampshire County Council Jobs - HR Manager, Communications and Marketing Lead
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and we may close the advert early, so we encourage early applications.
Closing date: noon Monday 13th July 2026
Interview date: tbc
Pay: £33,178.00-£36,269.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
