Sarah Whiting sat at desk with laptop opposite a client during discussion.

About Heads HR

HR support for schools

Discover our team, our values, and our mission to deliver services that are distinct and valuable for educational establishments nationwide.

What drives us

Our core values

Backed by decades of education expertise, our core values guide how we partner with your school to empower your staff.

Genuine partnership

We work hand-in-hand with your leadership team from day one, acting as a trusted extension of your school.

Tailored to you

We reject one-size-fits-all approaches, delivering practical guidance that respects your unique workplace culture and specific needs.

Grounded in experience

With over 50 years of combined education expertise, we provide calm, authoritative counsel that safeguards your establishment.

Beyond the local authority

A proactive alternative for your school

Schools and trusts face a myriad of complex people challenges, from employee relations and safeguarding compliance to recruitment, retention, and workforce wellbeing. We understand that traditional local authority SLAs often feel rigid and detached from your school’s day-to-day reality.

At Heads HR, we offer a refreshing alternative. With over 50 years of combined education expertise, our Manchester-based, CIPD-qualified team works exclusively with schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts. We understand the unique pressures of the sector, delivering responsive guidance that puts your school’s staff and students first.

Every school has its own distinct character, culture, and community, so why settle for generic HR advice? Because education is our sole focus, our guidance is shaped by a genuine understanding of what headteachers, governors, and business managers face every single day.

Meet our team

two females sitting at a table smiling and drinking coffee
Michael Dobson laughing during call on laptop.

Growing together

A lasting partnership

For nearly a decade, we have proudly walked alongside schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts, building long-term relationships rooted in trust and collaboration.

We understand that the educational landscape is changing rapidly, and our experienced consultants are here to guide your community through complex institutional changes with complete confidence. We provide expert guidance and hands-on support through key operational transitions, including:

  • Navigating academy conversions, governance updates, and statutory compliance
  • Staff restructures and redundancies
  • TUPE transfers and outsourcing support
  • Development of pay policies in consultation with trade unions

Get in touch

Female teacher wearing blue lanyard and smiling directly at camera.

"We have had the pleasure of working with Heads HR for several years and their support has consistently been outstanding. Their depth of knowledge and practical expertise have been invaluable in helping us navigate a wide range of HR matters with confidence. The team is always approachable and it’s reassuring to know there is always someone at the end of the phone or quick to respond via email whenever we need assistance. We highly value the ongoing support they provide and look forward to many more years of working together."

Heyes Lane Primary School logo.

Sally Harkin, Headteacher

Heyes Lane Primary School

"I have used Heads HR for a number of years and have found their support and advice to be invaluable. They are always only a phone call away and I can always trust and know that someone will get back to me promptly if I have a query or an urgent issue to seek advice on. Head's HR have recently supported me through a restructure which made the process so much smoother and easier to manage due to their calm, measured advice and secure knowledge and understanding of policies, processes and procedures. I cannot rate them highly enough due to the clarity they provide; their accessibility and their unwavering support with any issue, large or small."

Davyhulme Primary School.

Kate Brookes, Headteacher

Davyhulme Primary School

Heads HR have provided invaluable HR support for Greave Primary School. Their extensive knowledge of the education sector and round-the-clock availability have enabled the leadership team to swiftly deal with issues in a proactive and informed manner. In addition, the regular updates on current legislation and guidance have ensured we are always fully prepared for any changes. An exceptional, high-quality, reliable service that I can highly recommend.

Greave Primary School logo.

Jennie Williams, Headteacher

Greave Primary School

Heads HR provides pragmatic, workable HR solutions for our school. They are a key part of our school team and are always on hand to provide advice and resolve issues either remotely or at our school. Communication between school and Heads HR is superb; we never have to wait long to get answers to our questions. Heads HR provide excellent support to our school, and we would definitely recommend them.

Joe Barker, Headteacher

Marple Hall School

Discover why schools trust us