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 lookout for a dynamic and experienced Principal to spearhead Lift Firth Park’s journey of improvement. This is a unique opportunity for an established leader to build on strong foundations and drive the long-term success of a school that is clearly on an upward trajectory.

We seek a leader who combines strategic clarity with decisive action . You will collaborate closely with our Regional Education Director, Nigel Whittle, who brings invaluable insights from his previous role as Principal. With the full support of our central team and the wider Lift Schools network, you will be well-equipped to make a significant impact.

This role is ideal for serving or former Principals with a proven record of school improvement, ready to extend their influence. Lift Firth Park offers an exceptional platform to consolidate success, strengthen culture, and deliver lasting outcomes for pupils and the community.

As Principal, you will:

• Lead the strategic direction and daily operations of the school
• Ensure excellence in teaching, learning, and curriculum
• Foster 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 system

The successful candidate will:

• Have a proven track record of sustained school improvement
• Demonstrate measurable impact on pupil outcomes and life chances
• Show evidence of building disciplined, inclusive, high-expectation cultures
• Lead with clarity, integrity, and compassion
• Thrive in high challenge/high support environments
• Be motivated to influence improvement beyond their own school

Lift Firth Park is a vibrant and ambitious 11-16 secondary school at the heart of a diverse Sheffield community, serving around 1,200 pupils. The school reflects the richness of its local area, with over a third of students speaking English as an additional language.

Currently undergoing rapid and sustained improvement, Lift Firth Park boasts strong momentum, high expectations, and a clear sense of purpose. Deep partnerships with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and local organizations enhance opportunities for pupils and position the school as a cornerstone of the community.

At Lift Schools, we believe that talent drives performance. You’ll 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!

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.