Best HR services for academies

Simply put, you need to look after your people. As mentioned earlier, the education sector has been grappling with recruitment and retention issues for years now. Teaching isn’t exactly topping the charts as an attractive career option, especially when hefty workloads are pushing talented teachers away.

Without a solid HR strategy – covering recruitment, retention, staff development, employee incentives, and more – you could be staring down the barrel of high staff turnover. And trust me, from my years in the classroom, keeping your best talent happy is key.

At the end of the day, when your team feels valued and fulfilled in their roles, that positive vibe naturally flows into the classroom and enriches the entire school community. Happy team, happy students, happy school.

So, what exactly falls under HR services for academies? In a nutshell, HR services cover everything related to the wellbeing, development, and management of your team. This means it’s not just about recruitment – it’s also about handling compliance, running payroll smoothly, boosting employee satisfaction, and ensuring your staff gets the development and benefits they need. 

Essentially, a solid HR strategy supports your team from day one, helping them grow and thrive, which in turn benefits the whole trust community.

The role of HR in academies

Let’s take a closer look at what HR really does in academies. On the practical side, most trusts have a dedicated HR team handling key processes like recruitment, managing employee records, reporting and analytics, and payroll. Typically, this central team manages the big-picture tasks, while everyday HR activities like performance appraisals and absence management are handled at the academy level.

But HR’s role doesn’t stop at operational management. On a deeper level, it’s about creating an environment where staff genuinely enjoy working. Academy Heads and trust leaders have the important task of building a culture where educators feel fulfilled, valued, and rewarded for their hard work. Sure, teaching is a tough gig, but it’s up to management to ensure teachers have the support they need to thrive.

Bottom line: HR in academies is all about striking the right balance between operational efficiency and a genuine commitment to your team’s wellbeing and development.

While we’ve established that HR services for academies cover a lot of ground, here are some of the key elements that make up top-notch HR support:

Recruitment and talent acquisition

• Attracting and hiring the right talent is crucial. This means not only casting a wide net to find candidates but also using targeted strategies to secure those with the right skills and cultural fit for your academy.
• Effective talent acquisition involves streamlining recruitment processes, from job postings to interviews, ensuring that you’re not just filling vacancies, but building a team that will drive long-term success.

Compliance and regulatory adherence

• In the education sector, staying on top of legal and regulatory requirements is non-negotiable. This includes everything from safeguarding and data protection to ensuring fair employment practices.
• A robust HR service helps you navigate complex legislation, reducing the risk of non-compliance and ensuring that your academy remains a safe and lawful workplace.

Payroll and benefits management

• Managing payroll accurately and efficiently is fundamental. This involves ensuring that pay is processed on time and that all statutory deductions and benefits are correctly applied.
• Beyond just salaries, it’s also about administering employee benefits effectively, so your team feels valued and supported, which in turn boosts morale and retention.

Staff development and training

• Continuous professional development is key in education. HR services should facilitate ongoing training and development programs to help your staff grow in their roles.
• Whether it’s in-house training sessions, mentoring schemes, or external workshops, investing in staff development is a win-win: it enhances individual performance and contributes to the overall success of your academy.

Technology and digital integration

• Leveraging modern HR technology can transform how you manage HR processes. This might include digital platforms for recruitment, performance tracking, payroll management, and more.
• Embracing digital tools not only simplifies administrative tasks but also provides real-time data and insights, helping you make more informed decisions about your workforce.

It’s clear that HR encompasses a range of different areas within a school. Let’s take a look at the different options you have to manage HR within your academy or trust.

When it comes to managing HR services for academies, you've got a few paths to consider. Whether you choose an in-house team, opt for outsourced services, or mix the two with a hybrid approach, each option comes with its own set of benefits and challenges.

In-House HR Teams

Advantages:

• You get direct control over HR policies, allowing you to tailor processes specifically to your academy’s needs.
• This approach helps ensure a strong alignment with your academy's culture and strategic goals.

Challenges:

• Running an in-house team can be more costly, both in terms of operational expenses and resource allocation.
• There may be limitations in accessing specialised expertise that an external provider might offer.

Outsourced HR Services

Advantages:

• Outsourcing can be very cost-effective, thanks to economies of scale.
• You benefit from specialist providers who have up-to-date knowledge and compliance expertise tailored to the education sector.

Challenges:

• You might experience less personalisation, as the service might not fully integrate into your academy’s unique culture.
• There’s also a risk of becoming too dependent on an external provider for your HR needs.

Hybrid HR Models

Overview & Benefits:

• This model combines in-house strategic oversight with outsourced administrative tasks, offering flexibility and scalability as your academy grows.
• It strikes a balance between maintaining strategic control and achieving operational efficiency.

Implementation Considerations:

• The key to success here is ensuring effective communication between your internal HR team and any external partners, so that the overall service remains cohesive and aligned with your goals.

Each option has its merits, so the best choice depends on your academy's size, budget, and long-term objectives. Consider what will work best for your unique situation and the specific needs of your staff and community.

Interested in Access Education People? Head over to our people management solution page to find out all the features we offer.

When choosing HR services for academies, it's not just about picking the right model - it's also about ensuring the investment makes financial sense. Here are some key financial considerations:

Cost analysis

• Compare the expenses involved with in-house, outsourced, and hybrid models.
• Look at not only the upfront costs but also the long-term financial benefits and potential return on investment. A more effective HR strategy can translate into savings down the line, reducing turnover and boosting efficiency.

Budgeting and forecasting

• Plan your HR expenditures within the academy’s overall financial framework.
• Balance the initial outlay against future savings and operational efficiencies. By forecasting costs, you can better justify the investment and ensure that your HR strategy remains sustainable over time.

Economies of scale

• For multi-academy trusts, your size is an advantage.
• Leverage your collective buying power to negotiate better terms and lower costs per academy, making a centralized or hybrid HR solution even more attractive financially.

These financial considerations help ensure that whichever HR service model you choose not only supports your team and academy culture but also aligns with your financial goals and constraints.

Strategic considerations in choosing HR services for academies

When picking HR services for academies, it's about more than just handling day-to-day tasks—it's about aligning your HR strategy with your long-term academic goals. Here are some key strategic factors to consider:

Aligning with academy goals

• Your HR strategy should be in lockstep with your academy's overall performance and culture.
• Look for services that not only manage staff but also drive your educational mission forward, ensuring every hire and development initiative contributes to a thriving learning environment.

Compliance and risk management

• Staying on top of education-specific regulations is non-negotiable.
• A good HR service will help you navigate the ever-changing legal landscape, keeping you compliant and mitigating risks before they become costly issues.

Technology integration

• Embracing digital tools can transform your HR processes.
• Whether it's streamlined recruitment, automated performance tracking, or data-driven insights, leveraging the right technology will enhance efficiency and give you a competitive edge.

Scalability and flexibility

• As your academy or trust grows, your HR needs will evolve.
• Choose a service that’s flexible enough to scale with you, adapting to new challenges and opportunities without skipping a beat.

By keeping these strategic considerations in mind, you can ensure that your HR services do more than just manage administrative tasks—they become pivotal in driving your academy's long-term success.

Aquila Trust

In this customer story, Aquila Trust truly transformed their people management strategy by opting for Access Education’s HR and managed payroll service. Notably, the trust commented on how a managed payroll service granted them more control and reduced errors. Read Aquila Trust’s remarkable story.

The Vale Federation

The Vale Federation is a trust comprising of SEN schools. Their initial fragmented HR, payroll and financial management processes created numerous inefficiencies for the trust. Thanks to the Access Education Suite, the trust didn’t need to hire additional staff – despite an increase in headcount. Read the Vale Federation’s story.

DEALT

Before the implementation of Access Education’s HR and Payroll solution, operations were fragmented for this MAT. In this video, the trust shares its unique experience on how the entire Access Education Suite transformed their operations – not just within HR and payroll but with their financial management too. 

When it's time to decide which HR services best fit your academy's needs, a systematic evaluation is key. Here's a breakdown of how you can approach the decision:

Key evaluation criteria

Experience and expertise in the education sector:

• Look for providers with a proven track record in working with academies. Their hands-on experience means they understand the unique challenges and nuances of the education sector.

Integration capabilities with existing academy systems:

• Ensure the provider’s solutions can mesh seamlessly with your current systems, making for a smooth transition and ongoing data consistency across your academy’s operations.

Questions to ask providers

What specific services do they offer tailored to academies?

• Get clear on how their offerings address your unique challenges, from recruitment to compliance and beyond.

How do they manage compliance and regulatory changes?

• Their strategy for staying on top of evolving regulations is crucial—this is especially important in the education sector where compliance can directly impact both operations and reputation.

Making the final decision

Balancing cost, strategic value, and long-term benefits:

• It’s not just about the upfront price tag. Weigh the strategic advantages—like improved efficiency, scalability, and alignment with your academy's culture—against the long-term benefits. Choose a provider who not only fits your budget but also supports your academy's mission and growth.

Taking the time to evaluate these aspects carefully will help ensure that the HR services you choose become a true asset to your academy, driving both immediate improvements and long-term success.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, the best HR services for academies are those that offer a balanced blend of operational efficiency and strategic alignment with your academy’s goals. We’ve explored key elements like recruitment, compliance, payroll, staff development, and technology integration, all of which play a crucial role in creating a thriving educational environment. When HR services support your mission and culture, you not only address immediate staffing challenges but also set the stage for long-term success.

To take the next step, download our brochure and don’t hesitate to get in touch with an expert to discuss your options further.