Overview
The job description outlines professional duties and requirements for a Principal under the Teachers’ (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987, Schedule 1, Regulation 4, including general functions and professional duties, management of staff, training and development, required knowledge and skills, and personal qualities. It also references safeguarding, disclosure requirements, and equality considerations.
General Functions
* A Principal shall carry out professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives as determined by the employing authority (and, for a controlled school, the Board of Governors) and shall obey reasonable directions of the employing authority and, where applicable, the Board of Governors.
* The Principal is responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, subject to policy and directions.
* In carrying out duties, the Principal shall consult with the employing authority, school staff, and, for controlled schools, the Board of Governors as appropriate.
Professional Duties of a Principal
The professional duties include formulating aims and objectives, participating in staff selection and appointment, deploying and managing staff, ensuring equitable duty allocations and cover for absent teachers, maintaining relationships with staff and organisations, determining and implementing an appropriate curriculum, monitoring and reviewing school work, evaluating teaching and learning standards, providing information about staff performance, participating in staff development and performance review, ensuring staff have access to advice and training, monitoring pupil progress, implementing pastoral care and safeguarding measures, promoting pupil self-discipline and proper conduct, and maintaining overall governance and reporting functions.
* Participating in staff development and performance review; ensuring staff have access to appropriate training.
* Monitoring pupil progress and implementing pastoral care and safeguarding measures.
* Promoting good order, communicating with parents, and building external relationships.
* Advising and assisting the Board of Governors and liaising with the employing authority; reporting as required.
* Maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions; managing resources; ensuring security and maintenance of school buildings and grounds.
* Participating in staff development, identifying training needs, and arranging appropriate development.
Management and Development of Staff
Following DE circular 1994/33, duties include evaluating delegation to vice-principal and ensuring teachers receive necessary information to perform their duties effectively.
Training and Development of Staff
* Ensure newly-qualified teachers and those returning from a break have access to adequate support in their first years of service, in line with EA arrangements.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
A successful candidate will demonstrate experience, knowledge and skills in the following areas:
* Shaping the future: strategic thinking, Christian ethos, high expectations, and culture leadership.
* Leading and managing staff: high-quality leadership, collaboration, distributed leadership, performance development, and staff support.
* Leading learning and teaching: enthusiasm for learning, self-evaluation, data analysis, NI Curriculum implementation, addressing under-achievement.
* Developing the school in the community: engagement with parents and community, effective communication, feedback integration, inter-agency collaboration.
* Managing the organisation: prioritisation, planning, decision-making, SDPs, resource management.
* Ensuring accountability: governance reporting, self-evaluation, external evaluations, sharing effective practice.
Conditions of Service
Conditions of service follow Department of Education for Northern Ireland regulations. The post may be reviewed as circumstances change and may include additional duties. The post-holder is expected to promote equality of opportunity and adhere to equality legislation.
Essential/Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Essential: Teaching qualification suitable for recognition to teach in grant-aided NI schools; future shortlisting criteria apply. Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) on taking up employment.
Experience: At least 8 years post-qualification teaching experience in primary education (within last 13 years); relevant leadership/management experience at SMT/SLT level; prior role as Principal or Vice-Principal preferred. Further details and shortlisting criteria are provided in the application guidance notes.
Knowledge and Skills
* Knowledge of the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum, current policies, and ability to respond to educational challenges and manage change.
* Understanding of effective classroom pedagogy, data management, and organisational/financial governance.
* Leadership communication, strategic planning, recruitment and performance management.
* Ability to foster partnerships with the community and effective stakeholder communication.
Personal Qualities
* Vision, integrity, enthusiasm, resilience, tact, diplomacy, and adaptability.
Additional Information
The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance essential criteria if necessary to facilitate a shortlist. Applicants must be prepared for Enhanced Disclosure if appointed to a post involving regulated activity. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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