Principal

Academies Enterprise Trust; Hanley; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Wellbeing cash plan

TPS pension

Job summary

Lift Shafton is seeking an exceptional Principal to lead its friendly, ambitious primary school in the Barnsley community. You will shape the school's next chapter, ensuring excellent academic and co-curricular experiences for every child.

This role requires a bold vision, strong leadership of teaching and learning, and the ability to develop people while building a collaborative, high‑performing culture with families and the wider community within the Lift Schools network.

Qualifications

• Successful senior leadership experience and a proven track record of improving outcomes.
• Understanding of excellent curriculum, teaching and learning.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Set a clear and ambitious vision for Lift Shafton and drive its improvement.
• 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.
• Collaborate with Lift leaders and contribute across the network.

Skills

Senior leadership

Curriculum leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

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 £, 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 or April

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

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 in line 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.