Principal

Salary: L33-L39, £113,646 - £130,274 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Start Date: September 2026

Closing Date: 9:00 AM, 13th April 2026

Interview Dates: Friday 17th April 2026 (Lift Firth Park) and Monday 20th April 2026 (Ed City)

Are you ready to lead a school on the rise? We’re looking for an exceptional Principal to guide Lift Firth Park into its next exciting chapter. This is your chance to shape a vibrant school that is proud of its identity, deeply rooted in its community, and ambitious for every child.

Lift Schools is on the hunt for an experienced Principal to spearhead Lift Firth Park’s journey of improvement. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned leader to build on strong foundations and drive the long-term success of a school poised for greatness.

In this role, you will:

• Work closely with our Regional Education Director, Nigel Whittle, who brings invaluable insights from his previous tenure as Principal.
• Receive full support from our central team and the wider Lift Schools network.

This position is ideal for current or former Principals with a proven track record in school improvement, ready to extend their impact. Lift Firth Park offers a fantastic platform to consolidate success, strengthen culture, and deliver lasting outcomes for both pupils and the community.

We are seeking a leader who:

• Has a proven track record of sustained school improvement.
• Demonstrates measurable impact on pupil outcomes and life chances.
• Builds disciplined, inclusive, high-expectation cultures.
• Leads with clarity, integrity, and compassion.
• Thrives in high challenge/high support environments.
• Is motivated to influence improvement beyond their own school.

• Lead the strategic direction and daily operations of the school.
• Ensure excellence in teaching, learning, and curriculum.
• Embed a culture of high expectations, belonging, and inclusion.
• Develop, support, and retain high-performing staff.
• Build strong partnerships with families and the community.
• Contribute to improvement across the Lift Schools network and the wider education system.

Lift Firth Park is a dynamic and ambitious 11-16 secondary school at the heart of a diverse Sheffield community, serving around 1,200 pupils. With over a third of our students speaking English as an additional language, we reflect the richness of our local area.

The school is experiencing rapid and sustained improvement, characterized by strong momentum, high expectations, and a clear sense of purpose. Our deep partnerships with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and local organizations enhance opportunities for our pupils and solidify our role as a cornerstone of the community.

We are a diverse, inclusive network of 58 schools united by one mission: to deliver an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day . We believe every child deserves the best, regardless of background or ability, and we need outstanding leaders to make this happen.

At Lift Schools, we believe that talent drives performance. You will benefit from:

• An individual development account of up to £100,000 over five years.
• Experiential learning opportunities, including study tours.
• One-to-one unlimited executive coaching.
• High-quality, evidence-informed professional development.
• A year-long induction programme.
• The option of a professional sabbatical after five years.
• A relocation package if moving for the role.

We seek a leader who is:

• Self-aware - thriving in high challenge, high support environments.
• Network-minded - committed to improving outcomes across all schools.
• Intellectually curious - eager to use evidence-informed approaches to drive success.

If you are an experienced Principal ready for a new opportunity, driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you!

Closing Date: 12th April 2026

Interview Dates: Week commencing 20th April 2026

Lift Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment process aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, including online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.