Head of School

Job Description

Salary: L15-L19, £73,105 - £80,655 (negotiable for an exceptional candidate) plus relocation package

Start date: January 2026 or earlier if possible

We are looking for an exceptional Head of School to join Lift Hamford, a leader who can inspire, develop, and drive excellence, working alongside our Executive Principal to shape the next exciting chapter in our journey.

This is an opportunity for a highly motivated senior leader, with a proven track record in primary education, who is ready to step into headship with the full support of an experienced Executive Principal and a skilled leadership team.

About Lift Hamford

Located in the charming coastal town of Walton-on-the-Naze, Lift Hamford is a welcoming two-form entry primary school where every child is encouraged to thrive. We are passionate about unlocking potential, nurturing curiosity, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.

From January 2026, we will open abrand new 40 place nursery for 2-4 year olds, marking an exciting new era for our school. Our facilities include:

• A modern building for Years 5 and 6 (opened in 2020)
• Extensive outdoor grounds
• A dedicated Wellbeing Hub
• An Autism Support Centre funded by Essex County Council

We are proud of our strong team culture, with 15 dedicated teachers, skilled teaching assistants in every year group, and a leadership team that prioritises pupils in every decision we make.

Why this role is for you

You are someone who:

• Believes deeply in the potential of every child, regardless of background.
• Thrives on leading a school day-to-day, while contributing to a shared long-term vision.
• Brings high expectations for achievement alongside a compassionate, inclusive approach.
• Values collaboration, relationships, and community engagement.

As Head of School, you will:

• Lead the successful launch of our new nursery, ensuring it meets the needs of our community.
• Oversee the delivery of excellent teaching and learning across the school.
• Foster a culture where staff and pupils can thrive.
• Strengthen relationships with parents and the local community.
• Maintain high expectations and drive school improvement in partnership with the wider leadership team.

About Lift Schools

We are a diverse, inclusive network of 57 schools united by one mission: to deliver anexcellent 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

Who we're looking for

We want leaders who are:

• Self-aware- thriving in high challenge, high support environments.
• Network-minded - committed to improving outcomes across all schools.
• Intellectually curious- eager to use evidence-informed approaches to drive success.

Whether you're an aspiring principal or an experienced leader, if you are driven, determined, and dedicated to creating lasting change, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal, confidential conversation, please contact Tanya Bentham atrecruitment@liftschools.org

Closing date: Wednesday 24 September 2025

Interview dates: Friday 3 October 2025 (Lift Hamford) and Thursday 9 October 2025 (EdCity, London)

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 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.

Information about the School

Lift Hamford, part of Lift Schools is a welcoming two-form entry school in the coastal town of Walton-on-the-Naze. We are committed to giving every child the very best opportunities to thrive, with high-quality learning at the heart of everything we do.

Our vision is to unlock potential, nurture curiosity, and instil a lifelong love of learning. We want every child to feel inspired, supported and challenged developing the skills and confidence to succeed in the modern world while creating lasting memories.

Hamford continues to grow and evolve. We are proud to have a new nursery for 2–4 year olds and facilities that include a modern building for upper Key Stage 2, a dedicated Wellbeing Hub, extensive outdoor grounds, and an Autism Support Centre funded by Essex County Council.

Our strong team culture is central to our success. With passionate teachers, skilled teaching assistants in every year group, and a committed leadership team, pupils are at the heart of every decision we make. Staff benefit from supportive colleagues, professional development opportunities, and a working environment that values wellbeing and collaboration.

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:

-We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day. -With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives. -We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.