At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a school transformation and drive high-quality teaching and outcomes.
- Company: Lift Schools, a diverse network of 58 schools committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation package, wellbeing support, and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and lead a thriving school community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience with a track record of driving improvement.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Salary: Competitive leadership salary, with an additional discretionary payment available for an exceptional candidate + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits.
Lift Schools is seeking an exceptional Executive Principal to lead an ambitious and exciting next phase of transformation at Lift Rawlett. This is a rare opportunity for a values-driven, strategic leader to build on strong foundations and take a rapidly improving school even further, working alongside our Regional Education Director, Nabila Jiwa. You will also offer executive leadership across the region.
A school on the rise: The school is on a rapid improvement journey. It has recently secured the best GCSE results in Tamworth, and continues to strengthen its culture, curriculum and outcomes. At the heart of this progress is a deep belief in what young people can achieve. Together with staff, students and families, we are creating a school where:
- High expectations are the norm
- Relationships are strong and respectful
- Classrooms are calm, focused and purposeful
- The curriculum is rigorous, relevant and ambitious
- Kindness, inclusion and aspiration shape daily life
You will join a team that is already making real change happen and is ready for the next step.
About the role: As Executive Principal, you will provide strategic leadership and hold overall accountability for standards and quality within the school, while also contributing to improvement across Lift Schools. You will:
- Lead the school's strategic direction and improvement journey, ensuring sustained excellence
- Work in close partnership with the Head of School to deliver a clear, ambitious improvement plan
- Drive high-quality teaching, curriculum development and strong outcomes for every pupil
- Create a culture of high expectations, strong behaviour and exceptional inclusion
- Build a school community rooted in care, belief and ambition
- Ensure effective operational, financial and people systems are in place to support long-term success
- Provide regional support up to one day per week, coaching leaders and contributing to wider school improvement activity across Lift
Who weβre looking for: We are looking for a leader who:
- Has a proven track record of driving sustained improvement and strong outcomes
- Leads with clarity, warmth and moral purpose
- Builds cultures where staff thrive and pupils flourish
- Understands how to strengthen curriculum and teaching at scale
- Is ambitious, resilient and committed to collaborative leadership across a trust
Who we are: Lift Schools is a network of 58 schools across the country. We are diverse, inclusive and united by a single mission: to deliver an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
What we offer you: As a Lift Executive Principal, you'll receive sector-leading professional development and wellbeing support, including:
- An individual development account of up to Β£, 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
We want leaders who are:
- Self-aware β thriving in high challenge, high support environments.
- Network-minded β committed to improving outcomes across all schools.
- Intellectually curious β eager to use evidence-informed approaches to drive success.
Whether you are an experienced Principal or an existing Executive Principal and you are driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal, confidential conversation, please contact Tanya Bentham at.
Interview date: Wednesday 25 March (Lift Rawlett) and Monday 30 March (Ed City, London). We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.
Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes 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.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Executive Principal in London employer: Academies Enterprise Trust
Contact Detail:
Academies Enterprise Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Executive Principal in London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Lift Schools on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just help you stand out in the application process.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Lift Schools' values and recent achievements. Show us how your leadership style aligns with our mission to create a thriving school community.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common leadership questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so donβt be afraid to share your passion for education and improvement!
β¨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Principal in London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and leadership shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Lift Schools, so donβt hold back on sharing your vision for transforming schools!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically to the Executive Principal role. Highlight your proven track record in driving improvement and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals. We love seeing candidates who understand our mission!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your experience and ideas. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your strengths and suitability for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for this exciting opportunity. We canβt wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Academies Enterprise Trust
β¨Know Your Vision
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your vision for the school. Be ready to articulate how you plan to lead the strategic direction and improvement journey at Lift Rawlett. This will show that youβre not just a fit for the role, but that you have a clear, ambitious plan for its future.
β¨Showcase Your Track Record
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've driven sustained improvement and achieved strong outcomes. Highlight how your leadership style has fostered high expectations and a culture of inclusion, as these are key values for Lift Schools.
β¨Engage with the Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of building strong relationships within the school community. Be ready to discuss how you would create a culture rooted in care, belief, and ambition, and how you plan to engage with staff, students, and families.
β¨Be Ready for Evidence-Informed Discussions
Since Lift Schools values intellectual curiosity and evidence-informed approaches, prepare to discuss how youβve used data and research to drive success in curriculum development and teaching. This will show that youβre aligned with their mission and committed to continuous improvement.