Vice Principal

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join Lift Rawlett as Vice Principal, playing a pivotal role in the next phase of the school's improvement journey.

Your new school Lift Rawlett is part of Lift Schools, a multi-academy trust of 59 schools, offering excellent professional development and career progression opportunities. The school is led by Executive Principal Jo Paddock and Head of School Tom Martin, both of whom bring a proven track record of delivering rapid and sustained improvement. Together, they are building a culture rooted in high expectations, strong relationships and a relentless focus on ensuring every student succeeds. This is a school with real momentum-where systems are being embedded, standards are rising, and there is a clear commitment to creating a calm, safe and inclusive environment for all.

Your new role As Vice Principal, you will play a key role in the strategic leadership of the school, working closely with the Executive Principal, Head of School and wider senior leadership team to drive continued improvement. This is an open Vice Principal post, and responsibilities will be tailored to the successful candidate's experience, strengths, and expertise. The role will include leadership across areas such as culture and behaviour, pastoral provision, attendance, safeguarding, teaching and learning, curriculum or wider school improvement.

You will:

• Provide visible, values-driven leadership across the school
• Contribute to the strategic direction and ongoing improvement of the school
• Lead and develop staff, ensuring high expectations and strong accountability
• Drive excellence in student outcomes, culture and personal development
• Deputise for senior leaders when required and play a central role within the wider SLT

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, highly effective senior leader ready to make a significant whole-school impact.

What you'll need to succeed You will be an experienced and highly credible senior leader with:

• A strong track record of successful leadership and school improvement
• The ability to lead, develop and inspire staff
• Excellent communication, resilience and the ability to lead with clarity and consistency
• A deep commitment to ensuring all students succeed, regardless of background
• The vision, drive and ambition to contribute to the continued improvement of the school

Why this role? This role offers the opportunity to make a significant whole-school impact, working closely with an experienced and ambitious senior leadership team during a key phase of the school's development. It would suit an established senior leader seeking broader leadership experience, or an ambitious leader looking to take the next step towards headship.

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. Our partnership with One World powers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, including Ambition Institute's Early Career and NPQ offerings, tailored to both individual and network needs.
• 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.