HR employment handbook and advice line
What does this handbook cover?
This Employment Handbook contains model policies and guidance for employee management. You can use the policy as it stands or, in some cases, you might need to adapt the policy to fit your school's particular circumstances.
Who is this handbook for?
Our policies are suitable for all schools including academies (where terms are optional for academies this is indicated). They incorporate employment best practice with appropriate legislation and Local Authority collective agreements.
Unless otherwise indicated, the contents of this handbook does not form part of your contract of employment. Head Teachers should ensure that staff and Governors are aware of the handbook and given access to it when requested.
If you need further advice, please contact the HR Advice Line to speak to an experienced HR Adviser, open from 9:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.
We want to hear from you!
We would like to invite you to participate in a brief survey designed to help us understand how well the HR Advice Line is meeting the needs and expectations of school leaders like yourself. The survey will remain open until Thursday, 25th June. To take part, please click the link below:
HR Advice Line Effectiveness Survey – Fill in form
Completing the questionnaire should take no more than 5-10 minutes, and we kindly ask that you answer as honestly as possible. All responses are anonymous and will not identify you or your school; they will be used solely for research purposes.
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Conditions of Service -
Appraisal (Support Staff and Teachers) -
Apprentices -
Change: Redundancy, Restructure, Redeployment and TUPE -
Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing -
COVID-19 - Coronavirus guidance -
Employee Benefits -
Ending and Leaving Employment -
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) -
Family Friendly Working -
Flexible Working -
Governor Information -
Grievance and Mediation -
Holiday and Leave -
HR Network & Newsletters -
Induction and Probation -
Job Evaluation (JE) -
Managing Attendance, Capability and Misconduct -
Pay -
Pensions -
Recruitment and Selection -
Safety, Health and Wellbeing -
Sickness Absence -
Trade Unions and Industrial Action -
Training and Development -
Travel Expenses -
Pocket Policies -
Models of School Organisation
If you are looking to review your school's policies, we have created a reference list with our new and updated HR Model Policies from April 2025 to March 2026.