(on G2)
Trusted HR Software for Schools, Colleges & Multi-Academy Trusts
Managing staff in education is complex. Safeguarding checks, DBS tracking, term-time contracts, and absence cover all add pressure.
Activ People HR gives one central, configurable platform to manage staff and stay compliant. Integrate with MIS platforms like SIMS via Wonde and Xporter, helping streamline processes and improve visibility.
- Reduce HR admin by over 10%
- Stay compliant with safeguarding and audit requirements
- Manage absence and cover more effectively
- Keep all staff records in one secure place
Trusted by schools, colleges and multi academy trusts across the UK and interntionally
Why HR Management Is Challenging in Education
HR in schools isn’t like other sectors. You’re dealing with:
- Safeguarding and compliance requirements that must be audit-ready
- Complex contracts (term-time, part-time, supply staff)
- High absence impact on student learning
- Manual processes spread across spreadsheets and systems
Without the right systems, this leads to:
- Lost time on admin
- Risk of compliance gaps
- Difficulty tracking training and certifications
- Poor visibility of staff data
Why Staff Absence Management Matters in Schools
When a teacher is absent, it’s not just an HR issue – it directly impacts learning, budgets, and staff wellbeing.
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Minimising disruption to learning
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Reducing the cost of temporary staff
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Enabling more efficiently cover plans
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Meeting safeguarding obligations
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Supporting staff wellbeing
Streamline administration
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Integrated with your Schools Management System
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Automated absence tracking
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Centralised staff safeguarding documents
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Structured staff onboarding
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Clear approval workflows
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Instant reporting
Supporting faculty on the move
Experience universal accessibility with our cloud-based leave and absence management software, allowing connection from any device, anywhere.
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Staff self-service
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Access real-time calendar view
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Check entitlements
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Mobile-app access
Manage term-time and full-time staff with ease
Our HR software makes it simple to manage both term-time and full-time staff in one central system.
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Custom scheduling
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Annual leave management
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Automate reminders & notifications
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Flexible staff categorisation
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What does Activ People HR software for schools do?
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Centralised employee records
Store staff details, contracts, qualifications, and employment history in one secure location.
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Safeguaring and compliance tracking
Manage DBS checks, right-to-work documentation, and certification expiry dates with automated alerts.
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Absence Managment and reporting
Record staff absence from day one, monitor trends, and support cover planning to minimise disruption to students.
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Onboarding and staff lifecycle management
Automate joining processes, policy acknowledgements, and document collection for new staff.
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MIS intergrations with Wonde & XPorter
Seamlessly integrate your school's Management Information System (MIS) with Wonde & XPorter, streamlining data exchange and reporting.
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Manage term-time and full-time staff
Effectively manage both term-time and full-time staff, addressing the unique needs of each group efficiently.
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Workforce insights and reporting
Analyse trends such as absence rates, staff turnover, and compliance gaps across departments or locations.
Easy-to-use and powerful HR software for schools
We help 100's of schools to manage their HR better.
Louise H.
Easy to manage my staff absences, toil, annual leave all under one roof...
Verified G2 User
Simple and intuitive. Just what you need from HR software.
Verified G2 User
Well laid out, Inutuitive, Liked by staff, Can be as complex as you need.
Annie S.
We have been using Activ People HR at our school for a number of years....
Verified G2 User
I like how easy it is to use and its very user friendly. It is easy to make any relevant changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About HR Software for Schools
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What HR software do UK schools use?
UK schools use a range of HR systems, from generic HR platforms to specialist education-focused solutions. Increasingly, schools and multi-academy trusts are choosing dedicated HR software that supports safeguarding compliance, absence management, and integration with MIS platforms using tools such as Wonde or Xporter. Specialist systems like Activ People HR are designed to meet the specific needs of the education sector rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach.
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How do schools manage safeguarding compliance?
Schools manage safeguarding compliance by maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of staff checks, including DBS verification, right-to-work documentation, and professional qualifications. HR software for schools helps automate this process by storing documents securely, tracking expiry dates, and sending alerts when action is required, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
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Does Activ People HR integrate with SIMS and other MIS systems?
Yes, Activ People HR integrates with MIS platforms such as SIMS via providers like Wonde or Xporter. These integrations allow employee data to sync between systems, reducing duplication and improving data accuracy. Some integrations also support automation of updates and help ensure consistency across HR and school management systems.
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How does Activ People HR help reduce staff absence in schools?
Activ People HR helps reduce staff absence by providing visibility into absence trends, enabling early intervention through trigger points such as the Bradford Factor. It also supports day-one absence recording, automated notifications, and reporting tools that allow school leaders to identify patterns and take proactive steps to improve attendance.
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Is Activ People HR software necessary for small schools?
Even small schools can benefit from HR software, particularly in areas such as safeguarding, compliance, and document management. While smaller organisations may manage HR manually, using a dedicated system reduces administrative burden, improves accuracy, and ensures critical processes are not missed.
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What are the key features of Activ People HR software for schools?
Key features include:
• Centralised employee records
• Safeguarding and compliance tracking
• Absence management and reporting
• Onboarding and document workflows
• MIS integration
• Workforce analytics and insights
These features help schools manage staff more efficiently while maintaining compliance. -
How does Activ People HR software support multi-academy trusts (MATs)?
Absolutely. Activ People HR is designed to support multi-site organisations, giving central teams visibility across all schools while allowing individual schools to manage their own staff.
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Is Activ People HR software secure for storing staff data?
Yes, Activ People HR software uses secure cloud infrastructure, encryption, and access controls to protect sensitive employee data. This is particularly important for schools, where safeguarding and GDPR compliance are critical considerations. Activ People HR are audited externally every year and meet the international standard ISO27001.
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How quickly can a school implement Activ People HR software?
Most schools can get up and running quickly by importing staff data or integrating with their MIS. Implementation of Activ People HR is straightforward, with support provided throughout.
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Why do schools need dedicated HR software?
Schools operate in a highly regulated environment where poor record-keeping or missed compliance checks can lead to serious risks. Managing HR manually or across multiple systems often leads to:
- Increased administrative workload
- Higher risk of safeguarding or compliance failures
- Limited visibility of staff absence and trends
- Inefficient onboarding and communication processes
HR software designed specifically for schools addresses these challenges by providing structure, automation, and real-time visibility across the workforce.
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How is school HR software different from standard HR systems?
While many HR platforms offer general functionality, school HR software includes features tailored to education, such as:
- Safeguarding-focused document management
- Term-time and flexible contract handling
- Integration with education-specific systems (MIS)
- Support for complex organisational structures like MATs
This ensures schools can manage HR processes in a way that aligns with both operational needs and regulatory expectations.
Activ People HR provides a configurable HR solution designed for schools and education providers, combining powerful absence management, safeguarding compliance, and MIS integration in one platform.
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What is HR software for schools?
HR software for schools is a system designed to manage staff records, absences, safeguarding checks, and compliance in one place. It helps schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts reduce admin and stay organised.
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How does HR software help with safeguarding?
Activ People HR allows you to securely store safeguarding records, DBS checks, qualifications, and right-to-work documents. Automated alerts ensure nothing expires, while audit trails make inspections easier.
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Can the system integrate with our MIS?
Yes — Activ People HR for education integrates with leading MIS platforms like SIMS, Arbor, and Xporter, allowing you to sync staff data and avoid manual entry.
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How does it help manage staff absences?
You can track absences in real time, manage leave requests, and identify trends. This helps reduce disruption, improve planning, and control costs related to supply staff.
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Is it easy for staff and managers to use?
Yes — Activ People HR is designed to be intuitive and accessible on any device, so staff can request leave, update information, and access HR tools.
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How much does it cost?
Pricing typically starts from £2 per staff member, per month, depending on your organisation’s size and requirements.
Making you schools HR software a class above the rest
