Join Us as an Executive Principal at Lift Rawlett!
Salary: Competitive leadership salary, with an additional discretionary payment available for an exceptional candidate, plus a relocation package, wellbeing cash plan, pension scheme (TPS), and additional Lift Schools benefits.
Start Date: September 2026
Lift Schools is on the lookout for an exceptional Executive Principal to spearhead an exciting transformation at Lift Rawlett. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven, strategic leader to build on our strong foundations and elevate a rapidly improving school even further, collaborating closely with our Regional Education Director, Nabila Jiwa. You will also provide executive leadership across the region.
A School on the Rise
Lift Rawlett is on a remarkable improvement journey, having recently achieved the best GCSE results in Tamworth. We are committed to strengthening our 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
Join a team that is already making real change happen and is ready for the next step!
About the Role
As the 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. Your responsibilities will include:
* Leading the school's strategic direction and improvement journey, ensuring sustained excellence
* Partnering closely with the Head of School to deliver a clear, ambitious improvement plan
* Driving high-quality teaching, curriculum development, and strong outcomes for every pupil
* Creating a culture of high expectations, strong behavior, and exceptional inclusion
* Building a school community rooted in care, belief, and ambition
* Ensuring effective operational, financial, and people systems are in place for long-term success
* Providing regional support up to one day per week, coaching leaders and contributing to wider school improvement activities across Lift
Who We're Looking For
We seek 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
About Lift Schools
Lift Schools is a network of 58 schools across the country, diverse and inclusive, 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
Ideal Candidates
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.
If you are an experienced Principal or an existing Executive Principal who is driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you!
Closing Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026, 5:00 PM
Interview Dates: 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 is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. Our recruitment process is fair and consistent, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, including 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 have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.