Principal

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Pension (TPS)

Wellbeing cash plan

Executive coaching

Job summary

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an exceptional Principal to lead Lift Shafton, a welcoming primary school at the heart of its community. You will shape strategy, drive improvement and inspire a strong team to deliver excellent teaching, outcomes and curriculum.

You will build relationships with families and partners, ensuring a safe, inclusive environment where every child can thrive. The role offers a generous leadership package including relocation support and structured

Qualifications

• Successful senior leadership experience with a track record of improving outcomes.
• Strong understanding of curriculum, teaching and learning.
• Ambitious for every child and able to lead improvement across a school.
• Ability to develop people and build a positive, high-performing culture.
• Build relationships with families and the wider community.

Responsibilities

• Set a clear and ambitious vision for Lift Shafton.
• Lead teaching, learning and outcomes for every child.
• Develop and inspire a strong, collaborative staff team.
• Be a visible and trusted leader for children, colleagues and families.
• Work with Lift leaders and the wider network to share expertise.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Improving outcomes

Curriculum leadership

People development

Community partnerships

Job description

Principal | From £75,664.00 | Lift Shafton

Lead with purpose. Build on success. Shape Shafton's next chapter.

We are looking for an exceptional Principal to lead Lift Shafton, a friendly and ambitious primary school at the heart of its Barnsley community.

With supportive families, strong early years outcomes, a newly opened nursery and an established curriculum, there is plenty to build on. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious leader to shape the school's next chapter and make a lasting difference to its children, colleagues and community.

About the role

As Principal, you will build on Lift Shafton's strengths while bringing the ambition, energy and leadership to drive its continued improvement.

You will:

• Set a clear and ambitious vision for the school
• Build on strong early years provision
• Lead excellent teaching, learning and outcomes for every child
• Develop and inspire a strong, collaborative staff team
• Be a visible and trusted leader for children, colleagues and families
• Work alongside other Lift leaders, sharing expertise and contributing across our wider network

You will lead the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the school, with responsibility for ensuring every child receives an excellent academic and co-curricular experience.

About you

We are looking for an excellent practitioner and inspiring leader who combines ambition with warmth and strong moral purpose.

You will:

• Have successful senior leadership experience and a strong track record of improving outcomes
• Understand what excellent curriculum, teaching and learning look like
• Be ambitious for every child, regardless of background or starting point
• Develop people and build a positive, high-performing culture
• Build strong relationships with families and the wider community
• Bring the resilience, curiosity and collaborative approach to lead improvement

Above all, you will be kind, warm and brave, an ambitious leader who cares deeply about people and what is possible for every child.

Lift Shafton is a friendly, inclusive and well-resourced primary school with supportive families and a strong sense of community. With a newly opened nursery, strong early years and phonics outcomes, embedded English and maths curricula and a rich enrichment offer, there are excellent foundations to build on. As part of the wider Barnsley region, the school also benefits from strong Trust support and opportunities to collaborate and develop alongside other Lift schools.

This is a real opportunity to shape Shafton's next chapter and make a lasting difference to its children, colleagues and community.

About Lift Schools

We are a diverse, inclusive network of 62 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

Salary:negotiable for an exceptional candidate + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Start date: January 2027 or April 2027

Interview dates: Wednesday 18 November 2026 (Shafton) and Thursday 19 November 2026 (EdCity)

Principal | From £75,664.00 | Lift Shafton

Job Type: Please see advert for employment type