Salary: L33-L39, £, - £, (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) plus relocation package
Start date: January or earlier if possible
We are seeking an exceptional Principal to lead Lift New Rickstones into its next chapter of its success and growth, a leader who can inspire, develop, and deliver excellence for every student, every day.
This role is for a strategic, ambitious school leader with a proven record of improving outcomes and building a culture where staff and pupils thrive. You will work closely with the Regional Education Director and our central team, shaping the future of a high-performing school while contributing to the wider success of our trust.
About Lift New Rickstones
Located in Witham, Essex, New Rickstones School is a vibrant secondary school with a thriving sixth form. We prepare our students for an ever-changing world, giving them the skills, resilience, and ambition to embrace the opportunities ahead.
Our values, Ambition, Character, and Opportunity, underpin everything we do:
1. Ambition – the drive to learn, improve, and succeed.
2. Character – confidence, resilience, kindness, and integrity.
3. Opportunity – experiences that broaden horizons and open new paths.
We are proud to offer:
4. An ambitious curriculum from Year 7 to Year 13, tailored to the needs and aspirations of every learner.
5. High-quality teaching, supported by exceptional pastoral care.
6. A rich extra-curricular offer, including sports, arts, trips and leadership opportunities.
7. Strong partnerships with parents, our local community, and further education providers.
Why this role is for you
You are someone who:
8. Believes in the potential of every child, regardless of background or starting point.
9. Thrives on both the strategic leadership of a school and the daily reality of being a visible, approachable Principal.
10. Brings high expectations for achievement alongside a compassionate, inclusive approach.
11. Values collaboration and the impact of being part of a strong, forward-thinking trust.
As Principal, you will:
12. Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day running of the school.
13. Maintain a relentless focus on excellent teaching, learning, and curriculum provision.
14. Champion a culture of high expectations and inclusion.
15. Build strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and the wider community.
16. Contribute to the improvement and innovation of Lift Schools as a whole.
About Lift Schools
We are a diverse, inclusive network of 57 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:
17. An individual development account of up to £, over five years
18. Experiential learning opportunities, including study tours
19. One-to-one unlimited executive coaching
20. High-quality, evidence-informed professional development
21. A year-long induction programme
22. The option of a professional sabbatical after five years
23. A relocation package if moving for the role
Who we’re looking for
We want leaders who are:
24. Self-aware – thriving in high challenge, high support environments.
25. Network-minded – committed to improving outcomes across all schools.
26. Intellectually curious – eager to use evidence-informed approaches to drive success.
Whether you are an experienced principal or an aspiring head ready for the next step, 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 Tanya Bentham at
Closing date: Wednesday 24 September, 5pm
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.