Principal

Salary: L33-L39 (Outer London), £117,758-£134,339 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) + Relocation Package + Wellbeing Cash Plan + Pension Scheme (TPS) + Additional BenefitsStart date: September 2026 Lead with clarity. Build stability. Drive improvement.At Lift Schools, great leadership makes the difference. We are looking for a Principal to lead Lift Aylward, a large, diverse secondary school with strong foundations and clear potential.Lift Aylward serves a vibrant community where every child matters and every voice is valued. We are proud of our deeply inclusive ethos, supporting a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals alongside those with additional needs and we are committed to ensuring every pupil succeeds.This is a meaningful opportunity to step into a significant leadership position at a pivotal moment where you will make a lasting difference, shape futures and transform lives.About the roleLift Aylward serves over 1,300 students in North London, including a sixth form. The school has an established structure, committed staff and improving systems, alongside clear challenges to address.As Principal, you will:Provide clear, consistent leadership across the schoolStrengthen behaviour, culture and staff confidenceAlign and develop a large leadership teamDrive improvement in outcomes and consistency of practiceWork closely with the Trust to secure long-term stabilityThis is a leadership role with real scale, complexity and impact.About youYou are an experienced secondary leader with a strong track record of delivering improvement.You will:Lead with clarity, resilience and sound judgementCombine high expectations with empathy and emotional intelligenceCommunicate effectively and build trust quicklyUse data to inform decisions and prioritise effectivelyBe comfortable leading in a complex environmentUnderstand how to operate within a MAT and use that support wellYou bring focus, stability and direction and lead with both confidence and care.About the schoolLift Aylward is a large, inclusive secondary school with a strong sense of community. The school offers:An ambitious curriculum and improving outcomesA clear, values-led cultureA diverse student intakeStrong pastoral support structuresEstablished operational and leadership capacityRecent inspection findings highlight a calm, purposeful environment, strong inclusion and clear progress, with all areas meeting the expected standard.The school is ready for its next phase, with a clear opportunity to strengthen culture, improve consistency and build long-term success.About Lift SchoolsWe 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 youAt Lift Schools, we believe talent drives performance. You’ll benefit from:An individual development account of up to £100,000 over five yearsExperiential learning opportunities, including study toursOne-to-one unlimited executive coachingHigh-quality, evidence-informed professional developmentA year-long induction programmeThe option of a professional sabbatical after five yearsA relocation package if moving for the roleIf 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