At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a school community to achieve excellence in education.
- Company: Join Lift Four Dwellings Secondary, a rapidly improving school with a big heart.
- Benefits: Generous salary, pension scheme, wellbeing cash plan, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for student success required.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 65000 € per year.
Are you a values-driven senior leader ready to help shape the next chapter of a rapidly improving school? Lift Four Dwellings Secondary is seeking an exceptional Vice Principal to join our leadership team and play a pivotal role in driving excellence across all aspects of school life. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, passionate leader to work alongside the Principal to secure outstanding outcomes for every student and to contribute to the continued transformation of our school.
Your new school Lift Four Dwellings Secondary is part of Lift Schools, a national trust of 59 schools across the country, including 10 schools across the Midlands. Led by Principal Claire Stoneman, the school has undergone significant transformation and improvement. We are proud to be known as a "small school with a big heart", where students are supported in a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive environment.
Recent highlights include:
- Most improved school in South Birmingham for progress in 2024
- Among the most improved schools nationally
- A recent Good Ofsted judgement
- The best GCSE results in the school's history
Our school values are built around the Three R's:
- Respect - treating others with kindness and dignity
- Resilience - persevering through challenges
- Responsibility - taking ownership of our actions and our futures
We are proud to serve a diverse community and are committed to ensuring every student feels safe, supported and able to thrive.
Your new role As Vice Principal, you will work closely with the Principal and the wider leadership team to deliver the school's strategic vision and ensure the highest standards of teaching, behaviour, attendance, and pastoral care. This role offers the opportunity to lead key whole-school priorities and make a lasting impact on our students' educational experience and outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and strengthening a culture of high expectations, inclusion and student support across the school community
- Driving whole-school improvement strategies linked to teaching and learning, curriculum, behaviour, attendance and personal development
- Supporting and developing middle and senior leaders through coaching, challenge and professional development
- Overseeing key areas such as culture and behaviour, pastoral provision, safeguarding, attendance and personal development
- Monitoring the quality of education through rigorous evaluation, data analysis and instructional leadership
- Working closely with families and external agencies to ensure all students are fully supported to succeed
- Deputising for the Principal when required
What you'll need to succeed We are looking for someone who:
- Is an exceptional classroom practitioner with a strong track record of improving outcomes for all students
- Has successful senior leadership experience and evidence of leading impactful whole-school improvement, particularly in the areas of behaviour, attendance and safeguarding
- Has high expectations, strong moral purpose and a relentless commitment to inclusion and excellence
- Can inspire, develop and hold others to account through supportive and effective leadership
- Demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
- Is resilient, reflective and committed to continuous improvement
- Shares Lift Schools' mission that every child receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day
Qualified Teacher Status and a degree-level qualification are essential. An NPQ in leadership or further professional development in educational leadership would be advantageous.
Who is Lift Schools? We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 59 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had. We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.
We offer you:
- Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career.
- Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
- Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.
Please don't wait until the role closes; we will review applications as they come in and arrange interviews as soon as possible. Closing Date: Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 9am. 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 inline 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.
Vice Principal employer: Employer near you
Lift Four Dwellings Secondary is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing and inclusive environment where values-driven leaders can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits, and a culture that prioritises student success, this rapidly improving school provides a unique opportunity for ambitious educators to make a lasting impact in the Birmingham community. Join us in shaping the future of education while enjoying a supportive work culture and career growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice Principal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education, attend local events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and recent achievements. Tailor your responses to show how your leadership style aligns with their mission. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experiences and how they relate to the role of Vice Principal. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Vice Principal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Values:Make sure to highlight how your values align with ours at Lift Schools. We’re all about respect, resilience, and responsibility, so weave these into your application to show you’re a perfect fit!
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership skills and impact on school improvement. We want to see how you've driven change and supported students in your previous positions.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Early!:We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the closing date! Get your application in early through our website to increase your chances of standing out and securing an interview.
How to prepare for a job interview at Employer near you
✨Know the School's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Lift Four Dwellings Secondary's values around respect, resilience, and responsibility. Be ready to discuss how these values resonate with your own leadership style and how you can embody them in your role as Vice Principal.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your successful senior leadership roles. Highlight instances where you've driven whole-school improvement, particularly in behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding, as these are key areas for this position.
✨Engage with the Community
Since the school serves a diverse community, think about how you can engage with families and external agencies. Be prepared to discuss strategies you've used in the past to ensure all students feel supported and included, showcasing your commitment to inclusion and excellence.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the school's future and your potential role in it. Inquire about the school's strategic vision and how you can contribute to its ongoing transformation, demonstrating your proactive approach to leadership.
