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- Tasks: Lead and inspire a vibrant school community towards excellence and sustained improvement.
- Company: Lift Schools, a diverse network dedicated to delivering quality education for every child.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation package, professional development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive network with excellent growth opportunities and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a school on the rise and make a lasting impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in school improvement and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 113646 - 130274 £ per year.
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom | FIP095701 Posted on: 11/03/2026 – Application Deadline: 14/04/2026
Salary: L33-L39, £113,646 - £130,274 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Interview dates: Friday 17th April 2026 (Lift Firth Park) and Monday 20th April 2026 (Ed City)
We’re 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.
Overview
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.
Responsibilities
- 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
- A year-long induction programme
- The option of a professional sabbatical after five years
- A relocation package if moving for the role
Who we’re seeking
- 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 Amy Laking at alaking@liftschools.org
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 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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Principal employer: Meadsteadprimaryacademy
Contact Detail:
Meadsteadprimaryacademy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal
✨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 job openings 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 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 noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Lift Schools network. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and passion for education. Don’t just list your achievements; tell us why they matter to you and how they’ve shaped your approach as a leader.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role at Lift Firth Park. Highlight your experience in school improvement and how it aligns with our mission. Show us that you understand our community and what makes this school unique.
Showcase Your Impact: We’re looking for measurable outcomes, so be sure to include specific examples of how you've improved pupil outcomes in your previous roles. Use data and anecdotes to illustrate your success and the positive changes you've made.
Follow the Application Process: Apply through our website to ensure your application is received correctly. It’s super easy! Just follow the prompts and make sure you submit everything before the deadline. We can’t wait to read your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Meadsteadprimaryacademy
✨Know Your School's Vision
Before the interview, take some time to understand Lift Firth Park's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their community involvement and recent achievements. This will help you align your vision for the school with theirs, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about their goals.
✨Showcase Your Track Record
Prepare specific examples of how you've driven school improvement in your previous roles. Highlight measurable outcomes, such as improved pupil performance or enhanced staff engagement. This will demonstrate your capability to lead Lift Firth Park into its next chapter effectively.
✨Engage with the Community
Since Lift Firth Park is deeply rooted in its community, be ready to discuss how you plan to strengthen partnerships with families and local organisations. Share ideas on how to involve the community in school activities, which can showcase your commitment to creating a supportive environment for students.
✨Emphasise High Expectations
During the interview, convey your philosophy on building a culture of high expectations and inclusion. Discuss strategies you've implemented in the past to foster an environment where both staff and pupils thrive. This will resonate well with Lift Schools' commitment to excellence and inclusivity.