Assistant Principal

Lift Schools; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Lift Montgomery Primary invites applications for an Assistant Principal position, focusing on English leadership across Key Stage 2 within a high-performing, Ofsted-outstanding setting. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on classroom practice, modelling Lift Schools’ commitment to excellence and inclusion.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will drive curriculum development, support high-quality teaching, and work closely with leaders and staff to secure excellent outcomes

Qualifications

• Be a qualified teacher with successful experience in primary education.
• Strong Key Stage 2 experience, ideally including Year 6.
• Strong understanding of curriculum development and teaching and learning.
• Experience leading or supporting whole-school improvement initiatives.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, families, staff and external agencies.
• Be passionate about inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing.
• Excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills.
• Committed to maintaining high expectations and securing excellent outcomes for all pupils.

Responsibilities

• Lead English across Key Stage 2 and support teaching and learning.
• Drive school improvement with the Senior Leadership Team.
• Coach colleagues and contribute to curriculum development.
• Foster collaboration across the Lift Schools network.
• Engage with families and external partners to support pupils.

Skills

KS2 practitioner

English leadership

Curriculum development

School improvement

Inclusion & safeguarding

Communication

Collaboration

High expectations

Education

Qualified teacher (QTS)

Primary education experience

Job description

An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for an ambitious, passionate leader to join Lift Montgomery Primary as an Assistant Principal, following the promotion of a senior leader within Lift Schools.This is a fantastic opportunity for an aspiring or experienced senior leader committed to improving outcomes for children and ensuring every pupil receives an excellent education every day. The role will have a strategic focus on English leadership across Key Stage 2.

Your new school

Lift Montgomery Primary isn't just a school; it's a community built on high expectations, genuine care and a belief that every child, regardless of background, deserves the very best education. Graded Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, Montgomery has earned its reputation through consistent investment in its people, its pupils and its culture, not by accident, but by design. Here, collaboration is real. Staff wellbeing is prioritised. And the work you do in your classroom ripples outward into a community that notices, values and celebrates it.

Lift Montgomery Primary is led by Principal Fozia Nisar, who has been part of the school community for over a decade. Together with the wider leadership team, she has built a committed and enthusiastic team focused on high standards, collaboration and pride in the school community.Fozia brings over 20 years of experience in education and is passionate about equity, belonging and representation in education. She is a strong advocate for ensuring every child feels seen, valued and able to achieve their full potential.

A champion of arts and culture in education, Fozia works closely with organisations such as the Birmingham Hippodrome Education Network and has contributed to the national Theatre for Every Child initiative, reflecting Montgomery's commitment to a rich, creative and inclusive curriculum. Fozia also serves as a Trustee for Birmingham Services for Education, further reflecting her commitment to education and supporting children and communities across Birmingham.

Your new role

This role is particularly well-suited to an ambitious middle leader or aspiring senior leader who is ready to take the next step in their career within a highly supportive, development-focused environment.

The successful candidate will join the Senior Leadership Team and play a key role in driving school improvement, with strategic responsibility for leading English across the school and supporting high-quality teaching and learning in Key Stage 2.Working closely with senior leaders, subject leaders and teaching staff, you will help drive an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum, high expectations and excellent outcomes for all pupils.

At Montgomery, leadership remains closely connected to the classroom, with all senior leaders actively teaching as part of the Lift Schools model. You will therefore combine strategic leadership with meaningful classroom practice, primarily within Key Stage 2.You will be coached and supported by an experienced leadership team, with opportunities to further develop your leadership experience through curriculum development, coaching colleagues and contributing to whole-school improvement.

Knowledge or experience of Talk for Writing would be advantageous but is not essential. We are particularly interested in candidates who are enthusiastic about developing their expertise and contributing to the continued development of English across the school.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an experienced Key Stage 2 practitioner
• Has a strong understanding of teaching and learning within English
• Is passionate about curriculum development and school improvement
• Has high expectations for pupils and themselves
• Can inspire pupils and work collaboratively with colleagues
• Is committed to inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• Is motivated to develop into a future senior leader within a supportive environment

What you'll need to succeed

We are looking for an exceptional classroom practitioner and leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for all children.

You will:

• Be a qualified teacher with successful experience in primary education
• Have strong Key Stage 2 experience, ideally including Year 6
• Have a strong understanding of curriculum development and teaching and learning
• Demonstrate experience of leading or supporting whole-school improvement initiatives
• Be able to build positive relationships with pupils, families, staff and external agencies
• Be passionate about inclusion, safeguarding and pupil wellbeing
• Have excellent communication, organisation and leadership skills
• Be committed to maintaining high expectations and securing excellent outcomes for all pupils
• Experience working within disadvantaged communities or supporting vulnerable pupils would be highly beneficial.

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work.

Discover how we'll support you to thrive, develop and grow your career in the way that's right for you: How we support you

School visits

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school prior to applying. This is a great opportunity to experience our school community, meet the team and learn more about the role.For a confidential discussion or to arrange a tour, please contact Harpal Bhamraat [e-mail].

Interviews: Tuesday 29 September 2026

This is a full-time position, with a start date of January 2027.

• Safer Recruitment Statement - September 2026.pdf
• Assistant Principal Job Description and Person Specification (2).pdf