• About The Role

  •  Avanti Schools Trust is re imagining the purpose of education.

    With a clear vision to “inspire spiritually compassionate changemakers”, the Trust brings together academic excellence, character development and spiritual insight in a way that is rare within the sector. Its schools are inclusive, high-performing and values-led. Places where young people are encouraged not only to succeed, but to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

    As the Trust continues to grow and strengthen, we are seeking a Head of HR to ensure that its people services truly support this ambition.

    This is a hands-on leadership role, focused on delivering a responsive, visible and high-quality HR service. You will bring pace, clarity and consistency, ensuring that systems, processes and support work effectively for schools and that leaders feel confident in the service they receive.

    Working closely with Principals and the central team, you will help shape an HR function that is trusted, accessible and aligned with the values at the heart of Avanti.

    Who we are
    Avanti Schools Trust is a family of 12 schools – comprising 7 Hindu-faith schools and 5 community schools across 7 local authorities – united by a shared belief: that education should develop the whole person; intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.

    Avanti’s approach is grounded in a set of core virtues – self-discipline, respect, empathy, integrity, courage and gratitude – which shape how people learn, lead and work together.

    From moments of reflection and meditation to values-led leadership, spirituality is not an abstract idea here. It is part of everyday life.

    Alongside this, Avanti is ambitious. With a strong executive team in place and schools performing well, the Trust is focused on sustainable growth, deepening its impact and continuing to build an organisation where both pupils and staff can flourish.

    About the role
    As Head of HR, your focus will be simple but significant: to ensure HR works consistently and effectively, and in a way that genuinely supports schools.

    Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will lead the delivery of a professional, responsive people service across the Trust and its partner organisations. This is a role that requires visibility, credibility and a hands-on approach.
     
    What will you do?
    • Lead and develop the HR team, building capability, stability and performance.
    • Ensure HR support is visible and accessible, with greater in-person engagement across schools.
    • Improve core processes, including recruitment, payroll and employee relations.
    • Oversee HR systems and providers, ensuring they are fit for purpose and well utilised.
    • Strengthen policies, frameworks and compliance, particularly in safeguarding and statutory practice.
    • Provide clear, pragmatic advice to leaders on employee relations and organisational matters.
    • Work closely with the CEO, Head of Finance and senior leaders to align people practice with organisational priorities.

  • About Us

  • Why should you apply 

    You will be working in a fantastic environment. 

    Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place. 

    We offer a range of staff benefits including professional development opportunities, retail discounts, flexible working options, well-being programs, and more; further details at the bottom of the page

    What are we looking for?
    We are looking for a credible and experienced HR leader who is as comfortable rolling up their sleeves as they are advising at senior level.
    • Strong experience leading HR operations in education or a similarly complex environment.
    • A track record of improving service delivery, systems and ways of working.
    • Confidence in handling a wide range of employee relations matters with pace and sound judgement.
    • Experience leading and developing teams with varied capability levels.
    • A pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to bring clarity and momentum.
    • The ability to build strong, trusted relationships with school leaders and central colleagues.
    • An appreciation for values-led organisations and the role culture plays in performance.

    Above all, you will be someone who can bring energy, presence and credibility, helping to create an HR service that schools feel connected to and confident in.

    For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is not only improving outcomes for young people but also asking deeper questions about what education is for, and how it can shape a better future. 

     
    Further information
    Pre-employment checks
    Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.
    Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

    Diversity and Inclusion
    We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics. 
    Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.
     
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About our School

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing Multi Academy Trust with schools based in London, the midlands and the South West of England. All Avanti schools provide pupils with an outstanding education rooted in the inclusive and distinctive Avanti Schools ethos of educational excellence, character development, and spiritual insight.