Supporting Your School or MAT with Expert HR Support

As many schools and trusts know, the landscape of education is constantly shifting. Changes to accountability frameworks, growth plans and evolving employment legislation can often feel overwhelming, especially when set against the unique context of each school community. 

By partnering with us at Edwin People, you will benefit from; strategic oversight, compliance assurance, increased leadership capacity, and meaningful efficiencies, all tailored to the realities of your school or Trust’s context and offering excellent value for money. 

No matter where you are on your people journey, our dedicated team of specialist education HR advisers will support you on a project or retainer basis, providing reassurance, practical solutions, and the space to focus on what matters most, delivery of your school or Trust’s individual priorities. 

Benefits of our Project Support  

Edwin People support schools and MATs via an annual retainer service or can support you with one-off projects that require specialist HR expertise 

Whether you need an independent investigator, support with navigating change management, support with developing a people strategy or guidance on policy harmonisation across your organisation, our experienced advisers can step in to deliver impartial, thorough, and effective solutions.  

This flexible, bespoke support ensures you have access to the right expertise precisely when you need it, helping you resolve challenges swiftly and with confidence. 

Benefits of our Strategic HR Retainer Service  

1. Specialist Education HR Knowledge 

Education HR presents unique challenges, from sector-specific pay structures for teachers, leaders and support staff, to complex regulatory obligations. At Edwin People, our team brings expert understanding of the complexities of education employment law and guidance. We’re here to offer tailored advice that helps you manage even the most intricate HR matters with confidence and clarity.   

Our expert understanding of the school context means we’re well-versed in interpreting the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and the Academies Trust Handbook (ATH) to ensure your policies and practices remain compliant and fit for purpose.   

2. Proactive Support, Every Step of the Way 

We know that timely intervention is key to preventing small issues from becoming major HR headaches.  

Our retainer service guarantees ongoing proactive support, to anticipate and address HR matters before they escalate.  Minimising risk of time-consuming disputes and challenges enables you to focus on leading your school or Trust with peace of mind. 

3. Flexible and Cost-Conscious Solutions 

We work alongside your existing HR provision, offering expert input as and when it’s needed – without the costs of expanding your team. Whether you’re seeking an external perspective for complex cases, additional capacity during busy periods, or independent advice on executive matters, our retainer service adapts to your needs.  

Additionally, our service builds capacity for small HR teams facing unpredictable workloads, ensuring they have the support they need, exactly when they need it – bringing peace of mind and delivering results.  

4. Strategic HR for Growth and Change 

Strategic planning and Trust growth bring both opportunities and HR challenges. We help schools and MATs navigate these smoothly, working alongside your leadership team providing advice on strategic planning which aligns to your long-term goals and ambitions to enable seamless transitions and ensure stability during periods of change. 

Our team provides support for leaders to help build strong foundations for the future of your school or Trust. 

5. Objective, Independent Perspective  

Sometimes it helps to have a trusted, impartial expert to bring fresh insight and help unlock people solutions. We offer objective, practical guidance to support your decision-making. 

Our team supports school and Trust-wide improvement projects, ensuring they stay on track. By working alongside you, we create capacity to support your success.  

6. Project support 

Edwin People can support you with your projects requiring specialist HR expertise. Whether you need an independent Investigating Officer for a sensitive matter, assistance with complex casework, or guidance on policy harmonisation across your organisation, our experienced advisers can step in to help you deliver. 

Above all, we appreciate that your staff are at the heart of your organisation. When operational demands make it hard to prioritise key HR initiatives, we’re here to help you create the capacity and focus needed to deliver on your priorities. 

We’re always happy to have a conversation about the challenges you’re facing and how we can help. If you would like to find out more about how Edwin People can support your school or Trust, please do get in touch – we’re here to listen and provide guidance tailored to your needs. 

With an independent HR expert working alongside you, you can make confident, well-informed decisions that support your school or Trust’s success.