Executive Principal

Executive Principal

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a school transformation and drive high standards in education.
  • Company: Lift Schools, a diverse network of 58 schools committed to excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation package, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and shape the future of education.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for educational improvement.
  • Other info: Join a supportive community dedicated to fostering growth and success.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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

Start date: September 2026

Lift Schools is seeking an exceptional Executive Principal to lead an ambitious and exciting next phase of transformation at Lift Rawlett.

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 we're 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 £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

Who we're looking for

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.

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.

Closing date: Wednesday 18 March 2026, 5:00pm

Interview date: Wednesday 25 March 2026 (Lift Rawlett) and Monday 30 March 2026 (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 employer: Lift Rawlett

Lift Schools is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional development and employee wellbeing. As an Executive Principal, you will benefit from a generous individual development account, unlimited coaching, and a commitment to fostering high expectations and strong relationships within the school community. Located in Swadlincote, you will be part of a rapidly improving school that values ambition, resilience, and collaborative leadership, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in education.
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Contact Detail:

Lift Rawlett Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Principal

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at Lift Schools on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and show your genuine interest in the role.

✨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 deliver excellent education every day.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your responses to common leadership questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for education!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!

We think you need these skills to ace Executive Principal

Strategic Leadership
Accountability for Standards
Curriculum Development
High-Quality Teaching
Improvement Planning
Building School Culture
Operational Management
Financial Management
Coaching and Mentoring
Collaborative Leadership
Resilience
Relationship Building
Evidence-Informed Approaches
Ambition

Some tips for your application 🫡

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 and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering excellent education.

Be Specific: Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate your track record of driving improvement and achieving strong outcomes. We love seeing concrete evidence of your success and how it relates to the role of Executive Principal.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Highlight your strategic leadership skills and how you can build on the strong foundations at Lift Rawlett. We’re looking for someone who understands our unique context.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Lift Schools.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lift Rawlett

✨Know Your Vision

Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your vision for the school. Think about how you would lead the strategic direction and improvement journey. Be ready to articulate your ideas clearly, showing how they align with Lift Schools' values and goals.

✨Showcase Your Track Record

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive sustained improvement and achieve strong outcomes. Highlight instances where you've built a culture of high expectations and inclusion, as these are key aspects of the role.

✨Engage with the Team

During the interview, express your enthusiasm for collaboration. Discuss how you plan to work closely with the Head of School and other leaders to deliver ambitious improvement plans. This shows that you value teamwork and understand the importance of building strong relationships.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the school's current position and future aspirations. Inquire about the challenges they face and how you can contribute to overcoming them. This demonstrates your intellectual curiosity and commitment to the role.

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