
Natalie Ruane
Head of Employment and HR
Business Education
Employment and HR
Management of HR is one of the most complex and time-consuming functions within any organisation. For schools, effectively managing people can also be expensive, and stressful for the management team, including headteachers and governors.
Being able to access dependable, clear and expert advice is key to making sound HR decisions but often schools are reliant on call-centre HR advisers. They may not have had the opportunity to get to know the school team or have the necessary experience to handle sensitive or complex HR situations.
In response to this need for a higher degree of engagement, we have developed and evolved an HR Support Service for schools. While this is supported by a telephone helpline, it includes the option for schools to call on a greater level of involvement such as regular face to face contact or attendance at meetings.
Burnetts is recognised nationally for its expertise in the education sector. Every education institution is a prestigious and valued client to us. This is evidenced in our high levels of client care and exceptional responsiveness.
Our team has been developed to provide HR support with the oversight of a team of employment solicitors, whether this is in respect of managing absences, TUPE transfers or defending claims in the Employment Tribunal.
How we can help
- Provision of an annual service level agreement with costs based upon the number of staff, with no tie-in or notice period
- A named Partner to ensure an in-depth understanding of your school and its issues
- Dependable employment law and HR advice on all aspects of staff management from grievance, disciplinary and capability processes to restructures, union issues and Employment Tribunal matters
More In This Section
- Overview
- Academy Conversions
- Academy Sponsorships and MATS
- Admissions and Admission Appeals
- Behaviour and Exclusions
- Child Protection and Safeguarding
- Employment and HR
- Forced Academisation and School Interventions
- School Collaborations
- Special Education Needs (SEN) and Disability
- Commercial Contracts
- Data Protection
- Governance
Get In Touch
Want to know more about Employment and HR? Contact us to find out more.

Natalie Ruane
Head of Employment & HR

James Johnston
Head of Dispute Resolution

Sophie Allinson
Associate Solicitor

Julie Davis
Senior HR Consultant

Melanie Milne
Senior HR Consultant

Eleanor Morland
Senior HR Consultant

Louise Hanson
HR Consultant
Natalie Ruane
Head of Employment & HR
Natalie is a Partner and Head of Employment and HR team
James Johnston
Head of Dispute Resolution
James is a Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution team
Sophie Allinson
Associate Solicitor
Sophie is an Associate Solicitor in Burnetts' Employment and HR team
Julie Davis
Senior HR Consultant
Julie is a Senior HR Consultant in Burnetts' Employment and HR team
Melanie Milne
Senior HR Consultant
Melanie is a Senior HR Consultant in Burnetts' Employment and HR team
Eleanor Morland
Senior HR Consultant
Eleanor is a Senior HR Consultant in Burnetts' Employment and HR team