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- Tasks: Lead and shape the future of Lift Firth Park, driving school improvement and excellence.
- Company: Lift Schools, a diverse network committed to delivering excellent education for every child.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation package, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact in a vibrant community and lead a school on the rise.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in school improvement and leadership experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive network with strong partnerships and growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 113646 - 130274 £ per year.
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: 9:00am, 13th April 2026
Interview dates: Friday 17th April 2026 (Lift Firth Park) and Monday 20th April 2026 (Ed City)
We are looking for an exceptional Principal to lead Lift Firth Park into its next chapter. This is your chance to shape a school on the rise, one that’s proud of its identity, rooted in its community, and ambitious for every child.
About this role:
Lift Schools is seeking an exceptional and experienced Principal to lead Lift Firth Park through its next phase of improvement. This is a rare opportunity for an established Principal to build on strong foundations and shape the long-term success of a school on a clear upward trajectory.
We are looking for a leader who combines strategic clarity with decisive action and who understands what it takes to secure sustained improvement at scale. You will work closely with our Regional Education Director, Nigel Whittle, who knows the school deeply, having previously served as Principal. You’ll benefit from the full backing of our central team and the wider Lift Schools network.
This role is particularly suited to serving or former Principals who bring a strong record of school improvement and are ready to extend their impact. Lift Firth Park offers an exceptional platform to consolidate success, strengthen culture, and deliver lasting outcomes for pupils and the community.
We are seeking a leader with a demonstrable track record of improving schools, securing measurable gains in pupil outcomes, and building high-performance cultures where staff and pupils thrive.
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
As Principal, you will:
- Lead the strategic direction and daily life of the school
- Secure 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 system
About Lift Firth Park:
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 in Shiregreen, the school reflects the richness of its local area, with over a third of students speaking English as an additional language. The school is undergoing rapid and sustained improvement, with strong momentum, high expectations and a clear sense of purpose. Deep partnerships with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and local organisations strengthen opportunities for pupils and position the school as a cornerstone of the community.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an established Headteacher to build on strong foundations, harness existing momentum and shape the next phase of improvement, creating a lasting legacy for pupils and the community.
About Lift Schools:
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.
How we’ll support you:
At Lift Schools, we believe 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
Who are seeking 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, if you are driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal, confidential conversation, please contact us.
Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our colleagues 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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Principal in Park Hill employer: Lift Firth Park
Contact Detail:
Lift Firth Park Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal in Park Hill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, 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 those interviews! Research Lift Firth Park and its community, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise answering common interview questions and be ready to showcase your leadership style.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your impact! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved pupil outcomes and built high-performance cultures in your previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so bring data to back up your claims.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lift Schools network and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal in Park Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Principal role. Highlight your track record in school improvement and any measurable impacts you've made on pupil outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Lift Firth Park. Share your vision for the school and how you plan to build on its strong foundations.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to know how you lead! Be sure to include examples of how you've built high-performance cultures and fostered inclusion in your previous roles. This will help us see your approach in action.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lift Firth Park
✨Know Your School's Vision
Before the interview, dive deep into Lift Firth Park's mission and values. Understand their commitment to community and pupil outcomes. This will help you align your leadership philosophy with theirs and show that you're genuinely interested in their vision.
✨Showcase Your Track Record
Prepare specific examples of how you've driven school improvement in the past. Highlight measurable outcomes and the impact on pupil life chances. This is your chance to demonstrate that you can replicate success at Lift Firth Park.
✨Engage with the Community
Think about how you can build strong partnerships with families and local organisations. Be ready to discuss your strategies for engaging the community and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within the school.
✨Emphasise High Expectations
Articulate your approach to creating a high-performance culture. Discuss how you plan to support and retain high-performing staff while ensuring that pupils thrive. This will resonate well with Lift Schools' focus on excellence and ambition.