Summer Fields is a boarding and day school for approximately 305 boys aged 4 to 13 years. Located in Summertown, two miles north of central Oxford, the school occupies 70 acres of exceptional grounds. This is a rare opportunity to shape the people culture of one of the UK’s most respected preparatory schools.
We are seeking an exceptional HR Manager to lead a modern, proactive and service focused HR function that supports our staff, strengthens our culture and underpins the School’s long-term success.
This is a senior, highly visible role at the centre of school life. Reporting to the Bursar and working closely with the Headmaster and Finance Director, you will lead HR strategy, compliance and operations across the school. You will be the trusted expert colleagues turn to for guidance, clarity and support and a champion of professionalism, inclusion and wellbeing.
The HR Manager will be responsible for:
- HR strategy aligned with the School Development Plan, ensuring a coherent, efficient and forward-looking HR service.
- Safeguarding and compliance including safer recruitment, SCR oversight, UKVI requirements and policy governance.
- Recruitment and workforce planning across teaching, support and overseas programmes, ensuring an excellent candidate experience.
- Employee relations – coaching managers and heads of department, resolving sensitive issues and fostering a high trust culture.
- Payroll in partnership with the Finance Officer, including pensions, benefits and annual reviews.
- HR systems and reporting ensuring data integrity, insight and operational excellence.
- Wellbeing, inclusion and engagement through initiatives, forums and staff feedback mechanisms.
The successful candidate will have:
- Degree appropriate to HR and/or CIPD qualification (Level 5 minimum).
- A strong track record of HR leadership in a service focused environment.
- Deep knowledge of UK employment law, safer recruitment and HR best practice.
- Experience advising senior leaders on complex people matters.
- Outstanding communication, judgement and organisational skills.
- Warmth, professionalism and a genuine alignment with the ethos of Summer Fields.
This is an excellent opportunity to work in a prestigious independent school in a beautiful location in Summertown. Benefits include enrolment into the school’s contributory Group Personal Pension Scheme, which also provides life assurance at three times annual salary. Additional benefits include private medical insurance, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, an annual flu vaccination, membership of the Staff Swimming Club, lunch in the dining room during term time, free on-site parking, and discount for holiday activity clubs. There is also the opportunity for continuing professional development.
For further information about the school and an application form please visit www.summerfields.com.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please apply by submitting a fully completed application form with a letter of application addressed to James Kirk, Bursar. To satisfy the requirements for safer recruitment, we need to ask you for your full employment record. Details of any gaps between jobs or between finishing education and employment must be provided. If you have a CV you wish to send, please do so, however a completed application form with full employment history must still be provided. Applications should be saved as Word or PDF files and emailed to recruitment@summerfields.com.
Closing date: 10.00am UK time on Monday 7th September 2026.
If you require any further information, please call 01865 459238. We look forward to hearing from you.
Summer Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and we expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The school is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion. Summer Fields does not discriminate on the grounds of race or colour, nationality or national or ethnic origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, age, and disability. Applications are welcome from a diverse range of backgrounds.
