Overview
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL
TEACHERS’ (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987
Schedule 1, Regulation 4
General Functions
* A Principal shall be required to carry out 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 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 duties the Principal shall consult, where appropriate, with the employing authority, the staff of the school and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
Professional Duties
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 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, as set out in paragraph 3(9) of Schedule 3 of the Teachers’ Terms and Conditions of Employment Regulations (NI) 1987, 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 persons on the 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 relevant to their future employment;
* (a) Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of teachers who teach in the school; (b) 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 acceptable standards of behaviour with measures generally known and implemented within the school;
* In accordance with the employing authority’s 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 persons and bodies outside the school as approved by the employing authority;
* Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in their functions, including attending meetings and reporting as required;
* Providing for liaison and cooperation with the employing authority; making reports 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;
* Making arrangements with the employing authority for security and supervision of school buildings and contents, and ensuring any lack of maintenance is reported to the Board of Governors;
* (a) Participating in staff development and performance review of principals; (b) Identifying areas for training and undergoing such training;
* Arranging for a Vice-Principal or another suitable person to assume responsibility when the Principal is absent;
* Participating, as appropriate, in teaching of pupils including providing cover for absent teachers;
* A break of at least 30 minutes between 12 noon and 2.00 pm;
* Participate in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.
In addition to the above, the following professional duties have been amended to include:
* Management of staff: Considering how far duties may be delegated to any vice-principal.
* Ensuring that teachers receive information to carry out their duties effectively.
* Training and Development of Staff: Ensuring that newly-qualified teachers and those returning to teaching have access to adequate support in their first years of service, considering EA arrangements.
A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills associated with the following key areas:
Shaping the Future
* Keep abreast of and anticipate educational trends;
* Think strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision;
* Create an ethos and provide direction promoting high expectations, successful learning 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 a culture of shared/distributed leadership;
* Develop, empower and sustain individuals and teams;
* Support a fair, equitable culture and manage conflict effectively;
* Support and challenge performance to raise standards;
* Lead professional development for staff 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 processes and use data to plan for improvement;
* Ensure effective implementation of the NI Curriculum and address pupil under-achievement.
Developing the School in the Community
* Lead development and promotion of a positive image of the school in the local community and beyond;
* Maintain strong relationships with parents and the local/wider community;
* Ensure effective channels of communication between school and community;
* Listen to and act on community feedback;
* Consider community diversity in strategic planning; work with statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance education.
Managing the Organisation
* Prioritise, plan and organise themselves and others;
* Think creatively to solve problems;
* Make sound decisions based on evidence;
* Establish structures and systems;
* Lead and manage the School Development Plan;
* Delegate tasks and monitor implementation;
* Manage resources (human, physical, financial) efficiently and effectively.
Ensuring Accountability
* Foster accountability among Governors and staff for school success;
* Combine self-evaluation, inspection evidence 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 best 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. This job description is subject to review and may be amended; it provides guidelines within which the individual works. The post-holder is expected to promote good relations and equality of opportunity in line with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998).
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
The criteria for shortlisting include:
* Hold a teaching qualification recognized to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.
* Preference may be given to applicants with an additional postgraduate qualification in Education.
* Experience: minimum 7 years post-qualification teaching in primary education (within last 12 years); currently hold or held for at least 5 years and within last 10 years a role with strategic leadership or SMT/SLT responsibilities; posts may be acting capacity.
From your experience demonstrate:
* Leadership examples leading to school improvement;
* Leadership in strategic planning/organisational management;
* Building a professional learning community within a school.
Preference may be given to applicants who:
* Have led whole-school staff development;
* Have experience of financial/budgetary management within schools.
Knowledge
The successful candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of:
* The Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum and current policies;
* Educational developments and change management;
* Effective classroom pedagogy and high standards of teaching and achievement;
* Effective data management;
* Effective organisational and financial governance.
Skills
The successful candidate must demonstrate highly developed skills to:
* Lead, motivate, manage and enthuse others;
* Create vision and ethos for the school;
* Build relationships and promote collaboration among staff, pupils, parents and governors;
* Lead strategically and develop self and others;
* Promote and evaluate high standards of teaching and learning;
* Develop partnerships with the local community;
* Communicate effectively;
* Organise and prioritise workload;
* Manage staffing matters per EA policies;
* Manage time effectively.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate must demonstrate:
* Vision;
* Sound values;
* Enthusiasm, motivation and integrity;
* Decisiveness, tact, diplomacy and discretion;
* Adaptability and a caring, child-centred approach;
* Advocacy and empathy;
* Ability to cope under pressure.
The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance essential criteria if necessary to facilitate shortlist.
Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment.
Note: Candidates should provide sufficient detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet each criterion; failure to do so may result in not being shortlisted as panels cannot assume in the absence of essential information.
Disclosure of Criminal Background
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event of appointment to a post involving ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will require an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. You will be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details will be provided at pre-employment.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
Applicant Guidance Notes
To view applicant guidance notes, please click here.
To learn about benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr