At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in Art, Design and Technology while delivering an engaging curriculum.
- Company: Join Lift Firth Park, a vibrant school committed to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, well-being cash plan, pension scheme, and lifestyle perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives during an exciting transformational period.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in raising attainment in relevant subjects.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career development and training opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: M1-6/ UPR (TRL) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: Full time
Contract type: Maternity Cover - Fixed term
Start date: April 2026
Closing date: 2nd February 2026
Interview date: 10th - 12th February
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading and motivating a passionate Art, Design and Technology team
- Designing and delivering an ambitious, engaging curriculum
- Supporting teachers to be their best through coaching and feedback
- Using assessment and data to drive progress and close gaps
- Creating calm, focused classrooms where students can thrive
- Playing a key role in Lift’s mission: an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day.
What we are looking for:
- Proven track record of raising attainment and improving outcomes in relevant subjects
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop a high‑performing team
- Excellent classroom practice with a commitment to outstanding teaching and learning
- Experience in curriculum planning, assessment, and driving effective intervention strategies
- Resilient, proactive, and committed to supporting rapid school improvement and change
About our school:
Lift Firth Park is a vibrant, mixed secondary school for students aged 11‑16. Located in Shiregreen, Sheffield, we serve around 1,200 pupils and reflect a richly diverse community, with more than a third of students speaking English as an additional language. The school is currently undergoing an exciting period of transformational change, and we are already seeing its positive impact; in the classroom, across the curriculum and throughout our culture. This is an excellent time to join our team. We are looking for individuals who share our dedication to inclusive, aspirational education and who are excited to contribute to our renewed vision and ambitious future.
We would warmly welcome visits to the school, please contact Nichola Butler – School Operations Manager.
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 58 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, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.
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. EEO Statement: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we welcome applications from all eligible candidates.
Director of Art, Design and Technology (Maternity Cover) in Sheffield employer: Lift Schools
Contact Detail:
Lift Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Art, Design and Technology (Maternity Cover) in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Lift Firth Park. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about examples from your past that showcase your leadership skills and ability to raise attainment. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for teaching! During the interview, let your enthusiasm for art, design, and technology shine through. Talk about innovative ideas you have for engaging students and how you can support your team in delivering an outstanding curriculum.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re keen and professional, and it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Art, Design and Technology (Maternity Cover) in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Art, Design and Technology shine through. We want to see how you can inspire and motivate a team, so share examples of your leadership style and how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the job description. Highlight your proven track record in raising attainment and improving outcomes, as well as your experience in curriculum planning. We love seeing how your skills align with our mission!
Be Specific: Use specific examples to demonstrate your classroom practice and commitment to outstanding teaching. We’re looking for concrete evidence of how you’ve supported teachers and driven effective interventions in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our Lift Schools community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lift Schools
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the curriculum design and delivery aspects of the role. Be ready to discuss how you would create an engaging and ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of a diverse student body.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, particularly in motivating and coaching a team. Think about specific instances where you've successfully developed a high-performing team and how you can bring that experience to Lift Schools.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to talk about how you’ve used assessment and data to drive progress in previous roles. Discuss any effective intervention strategies you’ve implemented to close gaps in attainment and improve outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Given the diverse community at Lift Firth Park, it’s crucial to express your commitment to inclusive education. Share your experiences working with students from various backgrounds and how you’ve created calm, focused classrooms where all students can thrive.