Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship

The Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship with Discovery Educational Trust offers the chance to join the central HR team while gaining practical experience and working towards a recognised qualification. The role supports the HR, Operations and Governance team and suits a motivated, organised person interested in a career in HR.

What you'll do

• 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

Training

• 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

After the apprenticeship

• Upon completion on the Apprenticeship you could be offered a permanent position within the Trust

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, English (grade C)
• Essential: GCSE, Maths (grade C)

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 the employer

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.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: People professional (level 5), Business and administration
• Apprenticeship level: Higher (level 5)
• Training provider: EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
• Expected duration: 1 Year 9 Months
• Hours: 37 hours a week. Working week: Monday to Friday

Shifts to be confirmed

• Start date: 16 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: Competitive