Join Us as Principal at Lift Firth Park!
Salary: L33-L39, £113,646 - £130,274 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: 9:00 AM, 13th April 2026
Interview Dates: Friday 17th April 2026 (Lift Firth Park) and Monday 20th April 2026 (Ed City)
Your Opportunity Awaits!
Are you ready to lead a school on the rise? Lift Firth Park is looking for an exceptional Principal to guide us into our next chapter. This is your chance to shape a vibrant school that is proud of its identity, deeply rooted in its community, and ambitious for every child.
About the Role
As the Principal of Lift Firth Park, you will play a pivotal role in driving our school’s improvement journey. This is a unique opportunity for an established leader to build on our strong foundations and ensure long-term success.
You'll collaborate closely with our Regional Education Director, Nigel Whittle, who brings invaluable insights from his previous role as Principal. With the full support of our central team and the wider Lift Schools network, you will have the resources to make a significant impact.
Who We're Looking For
We seek a leader who:
* Has a proven track record of sustained school improvement
* Demonstrates measurable impact on pupil outcomes and life chances
* Builds disciplined, inclusive, high-expectation cultures
* Leads with clarity, integrity, and compassion
* Thrives in high challenge/high support environments
* Is motivated to influence improvement beyond their own school
Your Responsibilities
As Principal, you will:
* Lead the strategic direction and daily operations of the school
* Ensure 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 dynamic 11-16 secondary school at the heart of a diverse Sheffield community, serving around 1,200 pupils. Our school reflects the richness of our local area, with over a third of students speaking English as an additional language.
We are experiencing rapid and sustained improvement, characterized by high expectations and a clear sense of purpose. Our deep partnerships with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and local organizations enhance opportunities for our pupils and solidify our role as a cornerstone of the community.
Why Join Lift Schools?
At Lift Schools, we believe that talent drives performance. Here’s how we support you:
* An individual development account of up to £100,000 over five years
* Experiential learning opportunities, including study tours
* One-to-one unlimited executive coaching
* High-quality, evidence-informed professional development
* A year-long induction programme
* The option of a professional sabbatical after five years
* A relocation package if moving for the role
Are You the Leader We Need?
We are looking for a leader who is:
* 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, driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you!
Commitment to Safeguarding
Lift Schools is dedicated to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. We expect all our colleagues 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.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.