Principal

Salary: L15-L21, £73,105-£83,960 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) + relocation package + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Start date: September 2026

Lead with purpose. Shape a community. Make a difference.

At Lift Schools, our people are key to delivering an excellent education for every child. We are looking for an exceptional Principal to lead Lift Offa's Mead, a welcoming, community-focused school with a big heart and strong foundations.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a school where relationships drive success, pupils are engaged and families are truly supportive.

About the role

Lift Offa's Mead serves the communities of Sedbury, Beachley and Chepstow. With strong outcomes, an embedded curriculum and a committed team, the school is ready for its next phase.

As Principal, you will:

• Build on strong foundations and drive the next stage of improvement
• Lead strategically while remaining hands-on in a one-form entry setting
• Be a visible, credible presence in the classroom
• Develop a high-performing, collaborative team
• Strengthen the school's role at the heart of its community

As a smaller school, this role offers a unique balance of strategic leadership and lasting, direct impact.

About you

You are a strong practitioner and an inspiring leader with a clear vision of excellence in primary education.

You will:

• Have a proven track record of raising standards
• Bring expertise in early years and mixed-age teaching
• Build strong, trusting relationships across the school community
• Use data confidently to drive improvement
• Be adaptable, organised and able to lead in a small school environment
• Balance Trust expectations with the needs of your school
• Be collaborative, ambitious and ready to contribute beyond your own setting

You combine clarity, warmth and ambition, and lead with both head and heart.

About the school

Lift Offa's Mead is a Good school (Ofsted, October 2022) with:

• A strong curriculum and effective phonics provision
• A caring, inclusive ethos and dedicated SEND support
• Engaged and supportive parents
• A rich enrichment offer, including successful sports teams
• Extensive outdoor space, including a large playground and field

About Lift Schools

We are a diverse, inclusive network of 59 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
• 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

If you are an experienced senior leader or existing Principal ready for a new opportunity, if you are driven, determined, and committed to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal, confidential conversation or to organise a school visit, please contact Tanya Bentham at

Closing date: Monday 11 May 2026, 9:00am
Interview dates: Monday 18 May 2026 (Lift Offa's Mead) and Thursday 21 May 2026 (Ed City, London)

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.