HR Education: A Complete Guide for Employers

The educational sector hired over 3.5 million people in 2024 – across nurseries, schools, academies, universities, and educational institutes.

So, it’s easy to understand why human resources play a crucial role within the sector. With their help, employers can navigate around specific challenges and constraints related to their business.

The educational sector is a pivotal part of society. That’s why employers must show compliance with numerous statutory laws and regulations. Neglect any and you could end up facing legal breaches, school closure, and even criminal prosecution in more serious situations.

For more information on education HR, speak to one of our expert HR advisors today. We've also created a school risk assessment template, so you can keep your staff and pupils safe. Now, let’s look at ways employers can improve their HR services to encourage success in their educational business:

Resolve recruitment issues

The government found secondary teaching recruitment was 50% below the target for 2023/24. Primary teaching recruitment was only 4% behind targets which paint a stark difference between hiring and retention factors.

Labour shortages in business sectors like education don’t just cause financial losses – it can have a devastating impact on society. Employers need to prioritise the importance of recruitment methods and resolve any issues found during their processes.

Let’s look at ways educational HR teams can help improve their businesses:

Job adverts: From SEN teachers to admin staff – the education sector presents all kinds of jobs. HR teams need to outline specific skills, qualifications, and certifications necessary in your job adverts. A little precision can save you time, money, and effort in the long run.

Candidates: HR teams should look at diversifying their talent pools. This doesn’t just broaden your search range. You’ll be able to find talented individuals who can bring distinct skills and practices to your educational facility.

Supply teachers: Hiring supply teachers is a fairly normal issue that HR teams face. Build a good rapport with your best substitute teachers. This eases the process of finding cover during emergency or last-minute absences.

Improve retention rates

Teachers UK found that almost 13% of newly qualified teachers leave after their first year of teaching; and almost 19% of them leave in their second year. Low wages, career stagnation, poor mental health – there are numerous factors that drive statistics like these.

Employers need to work closely with their HR teams to improve employee retention rates. This doesn’t just benefit business continuity; it also encourages a smoother process for your students and staff.

Let’s look at ways educational HR teams can help improve their businesses:

Staff development: All employees should be provided with the means to enhance their career skills. Staff development is a major area that HR teams need to manage. Make sure they have access to training, work shadowing, lateral employment, and so much more.

Benefits: Work benefits doesn’t just mean extra wages (although it’s a popular choice!) HR teams can offer all kinds of work benefits that will help build retention. Non-financial benefits can include mental wellness therapy and employee assistance programmes (EAPs).

Salary: A common issue behind high turnover rates derives from low salary rates. The government has recently announced proposals to improve teacher wages. Until then, HR teams should pay their staff suitable salaries that reflect their duties, as well as the law.

Promote positive work environments

Work-related burnout, financial burdens, lack of support for women’s health issues… These were all common causes for poor teacher wellbeing according to NASUWT (the teachers’ union).

Employers must promote workplaces that have a positive impact on professional and personal wellbeing. With the right steps in place, you’ll be able to encourage employee performance, loyalty, and morale.

Let’s look at ways educational HR teams can help improve their businesses:

Equality and diversity: All employers must create a workplace that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. From your selection processes to work benefits… All employees should have access to such environments without facing biases or discrimination.

Workplace culture: A positive workplace culture manifests from its workforce – and that applies to bad ones, too. HR teams should ensure their workplace cultures are always cohesive and respectful.

Feedback: A great way to promote a healthier and happy workplace is through directly asking your staff for their opinions. Employee feedback not only offers transparency on workplace issues, but it also opens doors to constructive improvement for the business.

Comply to legislative duties

According to UNISON, almost 98% of staff have witnessed violent behaviour from pupils; and 14% from parents/carers. Safeguarding for teachers is just as much a statutory right, as it is for children.

Employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their staff. This responsibility ranges from safe workplace environments to employee wellbeing.

Let’s look at ways educational HR teams can help improve their businesses:

Employment law: Employers in the education sector are legally compelled to follow certain types of laws relating to their business. From DBS checks to holiday entitlements, HR teams must ensure all statutory regulations are followed. Any sign of neglect could lead to serious financial and judicial consequences.

Trade union: Schools often face disruptions due to strike action throughout the year. Teacher walkouts leave employers having to manage both educational disruptions and trade union negotiations. It’s best to seek professional advice to help minimise impacts on your students, staff, and the overall business.

Safeguarding: Whilst safeguarding duties don’t fully fall on HR, it doesn’t mean they’re free of total responsibilities. Student and teacher safeguarding comes under employers’ duty of care. These must be reiterated to the right people; like management, HR representatives, and H&S officers within the business.

Strive for business continuity

The National Literacy Trust found that 47.7% of teachers used generated AI in 2024 in the classroom. More students today are turning to AI for further ‘help’ with their homework and assignments.

Employers cannot afford to ignore the prosperity of such societal advancements. It doesn’t just boost your brand-name or keep you ahead of competitors. It helps promote business continuity and progression in the long run.

Let’s look at ways educational HR teams can help improve their businesses:

Sustainability: Running an environmentally cohesive business will soon become a full-fledged legal duty for all businesses – even schools. From minimising paper-usage to reaching zero-waste production… There are numerous ways for your students and staff to implement sustainability practices in your business.

Technology: We live in a digitalised era – miss the movement and you risk falling behind. HR teams must welcome technological advancements to help streamline processes efficiently. From payroll to performance, technology isn’t just for the classroom, it’s for you.

Succession: HR teams should always look beyond daily life and plan for the future.  This is especially applicable for success and continuity. Creating pathways for teachers, leaders, and educators to progress with your business will enable success for both individuals and the overall business.

Get expert advice on education HR with Peninsula

Having comprehensive HR systems is beneficial for any time of business – including those in the educational sector. Without their support, employers are at risk of facing legal breaches, staff departures, business disruption, and even criminal prosecution in some cases.

Peninsula offers expert advice on education HR. We offer specialised guidance on HR contracts and documentation – ensuring your educational business meets all its HR compliance. Our experts have also created a school risk assessment template, so you can keep your staff and pupils safe - access yours now.

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our HR consultants today.

Sources

Teacher recruitment and retention in England | GOV

Teacher recruitment and retention 2024 | Teachers UK

Wellbeing Survey Briefing | NASUWT

School support staff survey 2024 | UNISON

Children, young people and teachers’ use of generative AI to support literacy in 2024 | National Literacy Trust