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 opportunities.
- 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: Flexible working options available; commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ 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. 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 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
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 in Shenstone employer: Lift Rawlett
Contact Detail:
Lift Rawlett Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Principal in Shenstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend events, and engage with others on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the school and its values. Understand their recent achievements and challenges, and think about how your leadership style aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for the school and how you plan to drive improvement. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your impact and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Principal in Shenstone
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 an excellent education to every child.
Be Specific: Use specific examples from your past experiences 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 and can take us to the next level.
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 and being part of the exciting journey 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. Be ready to articulate how you plan to lead the strategic direction and improvement journey at Lift Rawlett. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you have a clear, ambitious plan for its future.
✨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.
✨Engage with the Community
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of building relationships within the school community. Be ready to discuss how you would create a supportive environment for staff and students alike, ensuring that everyone thrives and flourishes under your leadership.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the school's current initiatives and future goals. Inquire about the challenges they face and how you can contribute to overcoming them. This not only shows your commitment but also helps you gauge if the school aligns with your values.