Human Resources
We provide a personal, responsive service, working with you to achieve successful outcomes.
Our business is built on our reputation to be the best, providing consistent advice and supporting you to get the best from your school team.
We are highly skilled, experienced professionals with over 45 years experience in schools’ HR in the region.
What can we do for you?
Our high-quality, comprehensive service is competitively priced and covers the following:
- Strategic support for your leadership team
- Organisational/staffing resources
- HR management
- Employee relations
- Attendance management
- Pay and performance
- Safeguarding & Safer Working Practice
- Recruitment and selection
- Bespoke training on HR/employment issues
- Leadership/cultural development
- Restorative Management approach
- Employment legislation
- New headteacher induction training
- Safeguarding and Safer Working Practice for HR matters
We are passionate about education and understand the complexities of teaching and learning in challenging circumstances.
Because of this, we work in partnership with other services including school improvement organisations and trade unions, to fully understand your school.
HR TEAM
Our Human Resources Team
Dedicated to Elevating HR Operations in Schools with Streamlined Processes and Unwavering Compliance.
Paulette Bywater
HR Manager
Paulette is the Co-Director of Bywater Kent Support Services Ltd. She brings over 29 years of HR experience, including 11 years specialising in education HR and over two decades as a post-qualified Chartered CIPD professional.
You can learn more about Paulette on our meet the team page here.
testimonials
What People Say About Us
Paulette has helped me on numerous occasions in my previous role as School Business Manager and I always felt incredibly supported with the knowledge and expertise that she brought to each particular case . So when my I changed career and moved specifically into HR, I knew that Paulette’s expertise could provide the empowerment I would need in the different elements of HR. The tailored training package Paulette delivered gave me a valuable insight into the processes and procedures, and improved my self-esteem in readiness for my new role. I fully endorse Paulette and her team and hope to work alongside them again in the future.
Alexandra Shaw
HR Administrator“We have worked with Paulette for a number of years now and have found the advice and support provided invaluable. It’s great to be able to pick up the phone or email and know that I’ll get a quick response – often I’ve received a response straight away!.”
Nicola Sheerin
Headteacher, Whitelaith Primary School"As a recent Senior Leader, I have found the team’s support invaluable. Dave, Paulette and Lisa are considered and thoughtful using their considerable experience quickly and effectively. Their conduct and professionalism dealing with complex issues in challenging circumstances is second to none. I would highly recommend their services”.
Andy Maldonado
Senior Leader at a Leeds Primary School“As a new headteacher (Sept 2019) my mentor suggested the first thing I needed was good quality HR support; I did not have this during my first term. Dave, Paulette and the team were recommended to me and we have never looked back."
Claire Grady
Headteacher, St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School"Paulette and the whole of the team offer an amazing package of support in relation to HR issues.
They are incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of HR and are always on hand to answer any questions.
Their response time to calls and emails is incredible and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their services."
Louise Jeynes
Assistant Headteacher Gledhow Primary School"Richard Lewis-Ogden (Data Protection Officer) at Bywater Kent Support Ltd. provides a first-class service. He has taken all the stress out of data protection for our schools. If any of the schools have had an issue, he has been on hand to deal with it in person. This is a first-rate service which we didn’t get from the provider we had previously who were double the cost."
Sarah Bryan
Governance Lead, Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy TrustRichard has been our Data Protection Officer at Cross Gates Primary for several years and has consistently delivered a 5-star service. He has a wealth of knowledge which underpins the excellent advice, guidance and support he provides. He is always on hand should we have a query or require assistance.
Richard’s specialist knowledge of the unique way in which schools work is an asset as he has guided us through the complexities of GDPR professionally and clearly, enabling us to meet our obligations. We would have no hesitation in recommending the services of Richard Lewis-Ogen and Bywater Kent Support Services Ltd.
Donna Schofield
Business Manager, Cross Gates Primary SchoolAs a School Business Manager you have ‘fingers in a lot of pies’ and are expected to have an in depth knowledge of all areas of the business of running a school. It is very comforting to know that the GDPR team at Bywater Kent, and Richard in particular, have got my back. It is clear that Richard’s knowledge and passion for all things Data Protection is huge and we always get a very quick, professional and practical response to any queries. His audits and support visits give me the reassurance I need for the GDPR regulations and controls that we have in school and in the few cases of SAR in the past, his advice and support has been without doubt a welcome contribution.
Thank you, as always, Richard.
Janet Skelton
School Business Manager, Kirkstall St Stephen’s C of E (VA) Primary SchoolRichard came highly recommend to me from another Bradford school. I have worked with Richard for the past 4+ years. His expertise has been invaluable, especially when providing help and guidance with SAR requests. I would definitely recommend him to any other school looking for a new Data Protection Office.
Heather Toner
School Business Manager, Eastburn Junior and Infant School"When we had a dispute with a supply agency, I contacted Bywater Kent for advice..The area of contention was over the proposed cost of a finders' fee, for a teacher we employed through interview, Although contract law falls outside BK's normal remit, I received immediate support from Paulette, and some fantastic nuggets of information that supported my negotiations. Ultimately, the advice helped the school secure an 80% reduction on the initial offer from the agency."