PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL
This job description outlines the professional duties for a Principal as related to the Teachers’ (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987.
General Functions
* A Principal shall carry out professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives as determined by the employing authority. In a controlled school, duties align with the Board of Governors and the employing authority; the Principal shall obey reasonable directions.
* The Principal is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, subject to paragraph 1, and shall consult with the employing authority, school staff, and the Board of Governors as appropriate for a controlled school.
Professional Duties
In addition to the role of a teaching Principal, the professional duties include:
* Formulating the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for their implementation.
* Participating in the selection and appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff.
* Deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff; allocating duties; maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee; and sharing duties such as cover for absent teachers equitably.
* Maintaining relationships with organisations representing teachers and with staff.
* Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school, considering pupil needs and available resources.
* Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school.
* Evaluating teaching and learning standards and maintaining professional performance.
* Providing information about staff work and performance where relevant to future employment.
* Participating in staff development and performance review; ensuring staff have access to advice and training per employing authority policies.
* Monitoring and recording pupil progress; implementing a pastoral care policy for pupils.
* Promoting pupil self-discipline and appropriate behaviour; ensuring measures are known and implemented within the school.
* Maintaining good order and discipline on school premises when pupils are present, including during mid-day breaks.
* Arranging regular information for parents about the curriculum, pupil progress and related matters to promote understanding of the school’s aims.
* Promoting effective relationships with external persons and bodies approved by the employing authority.
* Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in fulfilling their functions, including attending meetings and providing required reports.
* Providing liaison with the employing authority and reporting as needed.
* Maintaining liaison with other schools and further education institutions with which the school has a relationship.
* Allocating, controlling and accounting for the school’s financial and material resources under the Principal’s control.
* Co-operating with the employing authority to secure the security and supervision of school buildings and contents, reporting any maintenance issues to the Board of Governors.
* Participating in staff development and performance review of Principals; identifying areas for further training and undergoing such training.
* Arranging for a Vice-Principal or another suitable person to assume principal duties when the Principal is absent.
* Participating, as appropriate, in teaching pupils and providing cover for absent teachers.
* Taking a break of at least 30 minutes between 12 noon and 2.00 pm; participating in Performance Review and Staff Development for Principals.
In addition, amendments to professional duties include:
* Management of staff: considering how duties may be delegated to a Vice-Principal and ensuring teachers receive necessary information to carry out their duties.
* Training and development of staff: ensuring newly qualified teachers and those returning from a break have access to adequate support.
Candidate Profile - Key Areas
A successful candidate will demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills in the following areas:
* Shaping the Future
o Keep abreast of educational trends; think strategically; create an ethos and direction that promotes high expectations, learning, and achievement; inspire and empower others; model the school’s values and ethos.
* Leading and Managing Staff
o Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement; collaborate and network; foster distributed leadership; develop and empower individuals and teams; promote an open, equitable culture; manage performance; work with others to lead staff development within the school development plan.
* Leading Learning and Teaching
o Cultivate enthusiasm for learning; develop an effective learning and teaching culture; lead self-evaluation and use data to plan improvements; ensure effective implementation of the NI Curriculum and address pupil under-achievement.
* Developing the School in the Community
o Promote a positive school image in the local community; maintain strong relationships with parents and the wider community; ensure effective communications; act on community feedback; plan for diversity; work with statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.
* Managing the Organisation
o Prioritise and organise; think creatively to solve problems; make sound decisions; establish structures and systems; lead the School Development Plan; delegate and monitor; manage resources efficiently (people, physical, financial).
* Ensuring Accountability
o Foster accountability for school success; integrate self-evaluation and external evaluations; monitor and evaluate outcomes, policies and procedures; report to Governors on progress.
Conditions of Service
Conditions of Service are in accordance with the Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. The job description is subject to review and may include other duties of a similar nature.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity at all times.
Nursery Principal – Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Qualifications
* Hold a teaching qualification for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland; have completed an additional post graduate (or equivalent or higher) qualification in Education.
Experience
* Minimum of 7 years’ post-qualification teaching experience in the Nursery or Primary sector and/or relevant early years experience in an affiliated educational body within the last 12 years; demonstrated leadership in school improvement and staff development at a strategic level; at least one year in a leadership role in nursery or early years.
* Demonstrable experience in improving outcomes for children and young people.
Knowledge
* Extensive knowledge of Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education and relevant policies; knowledge of current educational developments and ability to respond to changes; understanding of early years pedagogy and high standards of teaching and achievement; effective organizational and financial governance.
Skills
* Lead, motivate and empower others; create and communicate a vision; develop relationships and promote collaboration; lead strategically and develop self and others; monitor and evaluate teaching and learning; develop community partnerships; communicate effectively; organize and prioritise workload; handle staffing matters per EA policies; manage time effectively.
Personal Qualities
* Vision, integrity, enthusiasm, assertiveness, empathy, discretion, resilience, tact, diplomacy, decisiveness, and adaptability.
Other
* The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance essential criteria to facilitate a shortlist.
Other Requirements
* Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment.
Important
Please provide detailed information on your application to demonstrate how you meet each criterion. Failure to do so may result in not being shortlisted as panels cannot assume information.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines regulated activity. If recommended for appointment, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required, with the applicant expected to meet the cost at pre-employment. Further information can be found with the relevant NI authorities.
Further information can be accessed by noting the statement about NI Direct or the Department of Justice in the original text.
Applicant Guidance Notes
Details about guidance notes and education authority benefits are available as per the original posting.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr