Overview
This is a teaching Principal post and the school currently has a financial allocation to allow for Principal Release of up to 2 days per week.
Professional duties
TEACHERS’ (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987 – Schedule 1, Regulation 4
* General Functions: A Principal shall be required to carry out his/her professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives as determined by the employing authority and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors and shall obey the reasonable directions of the employing authority and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
* Subject to paragraph 1 the Principal shall be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school.
* In carrying out his/her duties the Principal shall consult, where this is appropriate, with the employing authority, the staff of the school and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
Professional Duties In addition to the role of a teaching Principal, the professional duties of a Principal include:-
* Formulating the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for their implementation;
* Participating in the selection and appointment of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school;
* (a) Deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff of the school and allocating particular duties to them (including such duties of the principal as may properly be delegated to the Vice-Principal or other members of the staff), in a manner consistent with their terms and conditions of employment, maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee;
* (b) Ensuring that the duty of providing cover for absent teachers is shared equitably among all teachers in the school, taking account of their teaching and other duties;
* Maintaining relationships with organisations representing teachers and other staff of the school;
* Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school, having regard to the needs, experience, interests, aptitudes and stage of development of the pupils and the resources available to the school;
* Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school;
* Evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the school, and ensuring that proper standards of professional performance are established and maintained;
* Providing information about the work and performance of the staff employed at the school where this is relevant to their future employment;
* Participating in staff development and performance review of teachers who teach in the school;
* Ensuring that all staff in the school have access to advice and training appropriate to their needs, in accordance with the policies of the employing authority for staff development;
* Ensuring that the progress of the pupils of the school is monitored and recorded;
* Determining and ensuring the implementation of a policy for the pastoral care of the pupils;
* Determining measures to promote self-discipline and proper regard for authority, encouraging good behaviour, and ensuring that behaviour standards are acceptable.
* In accordance with the employing authority policy for good order and discipline on school premises when pupils are present (including the mid-day break);
* Making arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the school;
* Promoting effective relationships with external persons and bodies as approved by the employing authority;
* Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in their functions, including attending meetings and providing reports as required;
* Providing for liaison and cooperation with the employing authority and reporting as required;
* Maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions of further education with which the school has a relationship;
* Allocating, controlling and accounting for financial and material resources under the principal’s control;
* Arranging security and supervision of the school buildings and their contents; reporting any maintenance issues to the Board of Governors as required;
* 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 responsibilities when absent;
* Participating in teaching of pupils and providing cover for absent teachers as appropriate;
* Principals are allowed a break of at least 30 minutes between 12 noon and 2.00 pm;
* Participating in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.
Management and development of staff The following professional duties have been amended to include:
* Consideration of how duties may be delegated to a vice-principal;
* Ensuring that teachers receive information they need to carry out their professional duties effectively.
Training and Development
* Ensuring that newly-qualified teachers and those returning to teaching have access to adequate support in their first years of service, taking account of EA arrangements.
A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills in the following key areas:
Shaping the Future
* Keep abreast of educational trends;
* Think strategically to communicate a shared vision;
* Create an ethos and direction that promotes high expectations and achievement;
* Inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the vision forward;
* Model the values and ethos of the school.
Leading and Managing Staff
* Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement;
* Collaborate and network within and beyond the school;
* Foster distributed leadership;
* Develop, empower and sustain individuals and teams;
* Support open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict;
* Support and challenge performance to raise standards;
* Lead professional development within the school development plan to support effective teaching and learning.
Leading Learning and Teaching
* Cultivate enthusiasm for learning;
* Lead development of an effective learning and teaching culture;
* Lead self-evaluation, analyse data, plan for improvement;
* Ensure effective NI Curriculum implementation and address pupil under-achievement.
Developing the School in the Community
* Promote a positive image of the school in the local community;
* Maintain strong relationships with parents and the community;
* Ensure effective communication between the school and community;
* Listen to community feedback and reflect on it;
* Lead planning that reflects community diversity;
* Work with statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance education.
Managing the Organisation
* Prioritise, plan and organise;
* Think creatively to solve problems;
* Make sound decisions based on evidence;
* Establish structures and systems;
* Lead and monitor the School Development Plan;
* Delegate tasks and monitor implementation;
* Manage resources efficiently and effectively (human, physical, financial).
Ensuring Accountability
* Create a culture of accountability among Governors and staff;
* Combine self-evaluation and external evaluations to develop the school;
* Lead monitoring and evaluation of school outcomes, policies and procedures;
* Work with the leadership team to address performance and disseminate good practice;
* Provide effective reports to Governors on progress and development.
Conditions of Service
The Conditions of Service for this post are in accordance with the Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. The job description is subject to revision and may include other duties. The post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and comply with equality legislation at all times.
Person Specification
Essential
The criteria that will be applied at shortlisting:
Applicants must at the closing date hold a teaching qualification recognized to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.
Preference may be given to those applicants who:
* Have completed an additional postgraduate qualification in Education.
Experience
The criteria that will be applied at shortlisting (experience must be accrued by closing date):
2) Have a minimum of 7 years post-qualification primary teaching experience or equivalent within the last 12 years;
3) Currently hold or have held for at least 5 years AND within the last 10 years a post with strategic leadership or whole-school coordination, or a post of Principal/VP, or leadership within an affiliated body.
The above may be in acting capacity.
From your experience demonstrate: 4) Leadership leading to school improvement; 5) Involvement in strategic planning/organizational management; 6) Evidence of building a professional learning community.
Preference may be given to those with:
* Experience in staff development within schools;
* Experience of financial and/or budgetary management within schools.
Knowledge
* The NI Primary Curriculum and current policies and procedures;
* Current educational developments and ability to manage change;
* Effective pedagogy and high standards of teaching and achievement;
* Effective data management and organisational management including resource deployment;
* Effective financial management and sound financial governance.
Skills
* Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others;
* Create an ethos and vision for the future;
* Develop relationships and promote collaboration among staff, pupils, parents and governors;
* Lead strategically and develop self and others to achieve outcomes;
* Promote and monitor high standards of teaching and learning;
* Develop partnerships between the school and local community;
* Communicate effectively in writing and speech;
* Organise and prioritise workload;
* Deal with staffing matters per EA policies and procedures;
* Manage time effectively.
Personal Qualities
* Vision;
* A sound value system;
* Enthusiasm and motivation;
* Assertiveness and confidence;
* A caring, child-centred approach;
* Integrity;
* Advocacy and empathy;
* Discretion;
* Ability to cope under pressure;
* Tact and diplomacy;
* Decisiveness;
* Adaptability.
The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance the essential criteria if necessary to facilitate shortlist.
Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment.
Please note the onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information to demonstrate how they meet each criterion; failure to do so may result in not being shortlisted as panels cannot assume in absence of essential information.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children as regulated activity. If recommended for appointment to a post involving regulated activity, the Education Authority will undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. You will be expected to meet the cost of the Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details on payment will be sent at pre-employment.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
Applicant Guidance Notes
To view guidance notes, please click here. To learn about benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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