Principal

Salary: L15-L21, £73,105-£83,960 + Wellbeing Cash Plan + Car Scheme + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Additional Benefits

Start Date: September 2026 (or earlier if available)

Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? We are on the lookout for an exceptional Principal to guide Lift Charles Warren into its exciting next phase of development. This is more than just a job; it’s a chance to lead a school with strong foundations, a committed community, and the potential to make a profound impact on children and families.

Lift Charles Warren is a vibrant primary school serving a richly diverse community with unique challenges and inclusion needs. Our dedicated team includes a specialist autism resource base and a highly skilled SEND team, working closely with local authorities to ensure early and effective intervention.

Our school boasts exceptional facilities and outdoor spaces, including:

• Extensive grounds with Forest School provision
• A community allotment and wellbeing garden
• Well-equipped libraries and an ambitious art curriculum
• A kitchen area supporting life skills learning
• A podcast studio
• Strong links with Milton Keynes Dons

We pride ourselves on being well-resourced, outward-facing, and deeply connected to our community. Parent engagement is strong, with coffee mornings and expert-led sessions that foster collaboration and support for families.

As our Principal, you will:

• Lead with clarity, warmth, and moral purpose
• Drive precision and targeted teaching and learning , especially at KS2
• Coach and develop staff to ensure consistently strong classroom practice
• Close attainment gaps while maintaining high expectations for all pupils
• Build on excellent personal development and early years provision
• Champion inclusion, wellbeing, and mental health through a graduated SEN approach
• Collaborate across Lift Schools, fostering a spirit of teamwork

You will be supported by a strong central and regional team, benefiting from being part of a trust that is dedicated to developing leaders and improving schools together.

We seek a leader who:

• Is ready to lead from the front and inspire others
• Has a strong understanding of high-quality teaching and learning
• Is committed to equity and inclusion
• Values coaching, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Sees the potential in every child and every colleague

Lift Schools is a network of 58 schools across the country, united by a single mission: to deliver an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.

As a Lift Principal, you'll receive sector-leading professional development and wellbeing support, including:

• An individual development account of up to £100,000 over five years
• Unlimited one-to-one executive coaching
• Evidence-informed professional learning opportunities
• A year-long induction programme
• Study tours and immersive CPD experiences
• Professional sabbatical eligibility after five years
• Relocation package available

We want leaders who are:

• 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

Lift Charles Warren is a school with heart, ambition, and opportunity. If you are excited about leading a community-focused school with space to innovate and the backing of a strong trust, we would love to hear from you!

Closing Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026

Interview Dates: Tuesday 21 April 2026 (Lift Charles Warren) and Wednesday 22 April 2026 (Ed City, London)

Lift Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all our staff 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 embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time, and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.