Vice Principal

Location: Lift Four Dwellings Secondary, Quinton, Birmingham

Salary: Leadership Scale L17–L21 (dependent on experience) + well-being cash plan + pension scheme + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Fixed term (initially until August 2027), with the intention for this to become a permanent position

Start Date: September 2026

Are you an ambitious and values-driven senior leader ready to help shape the next chapter of a rapidly improving school?

Lift Four Dwellings Secondary is seeking an exceptional Vice Principal to join our leadership team and play a pivotal role in driving excellence across all aspects of school life. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, passionate leader to work alongside the Principal to secure outstanding outcomes for every student and to contribute to the continued transformation of our school.

Your new school

Lift Four Dwellings Secondary is part of Lift Schools, a national trust of 59 schools across the country, including 10 schools across the Midlands.

Led by Principal Claire Stoneman, the school has undergone significant transformation and improvement. We are proud to be known as a “small school with a big heart”, where students are supported in a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive environment.

Recent highlights include:

• Most improved school in South Birmingham for progress in 2024
• Among the most improved schools nationally
• A recent Good Ofsted judgement
• The best GCSE results in the school’s history

Our school values are built around the Three R’s:

• Respect – treating others with kindness and dignity
• Resilience – persevering through challenges
• Responsibility – taking ownership of our actions and our futures

We are proud to serve a diverse community and are committed to ensuring every student feels safe, supported and able to thrive. 

Your new role

As Vice Principal, you will work closely with the Principal and the wider leadership team to deliver the school's strategic vision and ensure the highest standards of teaching, behaviour, attendance, and pastoral care.

This role offers the opportunity to lead key whole-school priorities and make a lasting impact on our students' educational experience and outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and strengthening a culture of high expectations, inclusion and student support across the school community
• Driving whole-school improvement strategies linked to teaching and learning, curriculum, behaviour, attendance and personal development
• Supporting and developing middle and senior leaders through coaching, challenge and professional development
• Overseeing key areas such as culture and behaviour, pastoral provision, safeguarding, attendance and personal development
• Monitoring the quality of education through rigorous evaluation, data analysis and instructional leadership
• Working closely with families and external agencies to ensure all students are fully supported to succeed
• Deputising for the Principal when required

What you’ll need to succeed

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an exceptional classroom practitioner with a strong track record of improving outcomes for all students
• Has successful senior leadership experience and evidence of leading impactful whole-school improvement, particularly in the areas of behaviour, attendance and safeguarding
• Has high expectations, strong moral purpose and a relentless commitment to inclusion and excellence
• Can inspire, develop and hold others to account through supportive and effective leadership
• Demonstrates excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills
• Is resilient, reflective and committed to continuous improvement
• Shares Lift Schools’ mission that every child receives an excellent education, in every classroom, every day

Qualified Teacher Status and a degree-level qualification are essential. An NPQ in leadership or further professional development in educational leadership would be advantageous.

Who is Lift Schools?

We’re a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission: to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. Across our 58 schools, we empower our staff to do their best work, supported by exceptional leadership and development opportunities.

We offer you:

• A comprehensive and bespoke CPD programme, including weekly development sessions led by senior leaders and the Teaching & Learning Coach
• Access to external subject-specific CPD and Trust-wide networks
• A strong ECT support programme with mentoring and structured development
• Generous benefits, including pension and healthcare support
• Lifestyle perks including gym discounts, travel deals and electric vehicle incentives

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this role further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We highly recommend visiting the school to gain a better understanding of our culture and community — you are very welcome to arrange this by contacting:

Please don’t wait until the role closes; we will review applications as they come in and arrange interviews as soon as possible.

Closing Date: Wednesday 20th May 2026 at 9am

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 applying.

Lift Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments 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. Flexible working options may be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

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