The role of the Principal is to provide the school with the professional leadership and management necessary to ensure fulfilment of its current aims, as indicated in its mission statement, and to participate in the shaping of its future. The Principal will be responsible for ensuring the provision of a high quality of education for all its pupils, and for the oversight of the everyday activities of the school in a caring, disciplined and secure learning environment.
In co-operation with the Board of Governors and colleagues in the school, especially those in leadership roles, the Principal will be expected to exemplify a clear sense of professional purpose in all matters associated with his/her responsibilities in carrying out the functions associated with the post: effective communication in direction and management, liaising with appropriate staff in the delegation of duties. Under the Scheme of Management of the school, the Principal will, where appropriate, provide advice and reports to the Board of Governors on all matters relating to the running of the school and its curricular and co-curricular activities.
The Principal will be knowledgeable in all matters relating to educational policy and development. This knowledge will enable him/her, in collaboration with governors, staff, pupils, parents, appropriate external agencies and members of the wider community, to make informed judgements in promoting the aims and interests of the school. He/She will continue to foster inter-school relationships, and thus sustain the role of the school in the enhancement of teaching and learning in the area. The Principal will be expected to be fully committed to and involved in the management of all school activities, during and outside school hours.
The Principal, supported by the Deputy Principal, is responsible for the financial management of the school including the observance of all financial and audit protocols. In association with the designated teachers and relevant agencies, the Principal is also responsible for ensuring that the school complies with all current Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures and Health and Safety Legislation.
Alongside the statutory Terms and Conditions of Employment of Principals (1987), and in accordance with the Ballymena Academy Scheme of Management (2006), it is emphasised that the Principal of Ballymena Academy will be expected to provide leadership which maintains high standards in all aspects of the school's life and work and sustains the culture of continuous improvement.
The Principal will
- ensure that Ballymena Academy diligently safeguards the wellbeing of children and young people entrusted to its care, adheres to child protection and safeguarding regulations and is fully compliant with all statutory requirements in these essential matters;
- foster the development of the ethos of the school and of a programme of activities designed to secure the widest possible framework for the development of personal skills, qualities and self-esteem for all members of the school community;
- promote the school's core values including maintenance and development of the school's extensive co-curricular programme;
- liaise with the Board of Governors, make reports to the Board of Governors, and advise and assist the Board of Governors in its work, including appointment processes, as determined by the School's Scheme of Management;
- develop, articulate and communicate a philosophy for the school, based on provision for all pupils, to be agreed with the Board of Governors and shared with staff, parents and pupils;
- develop and manage the implementation of a curriculum and timetable which conforms to the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and the Entitlement Framework and meets the needs, aptitudes and abilities of all the pupils;
- lead and motivate all members of the school community by personal interest and influence and use interpersonal skills to resolve conflict and solve problems;
- maintain effective means of communication within and beyond the school and to provide parents with relevant information;
- sustain good relationships with the wider community, working with and through external agencies where appropriate;
- deploy and manage all staff; continue to develop systems for reviewing and evaluating teaching and learning to secure the highest standards and to keep under review the work and organisation of the school;
- manage personnel, financial and other resources of the school, including delegating responsibilities and duties, determining directed time budgets, determining policy-making procedures and co-ordinating liaison among those with delegated responsibilities;
- maintain effective working relationships within the school and ensure the employer's duty of care is fully discharged;
- personally undertake and promote continuous professional development;
- ensure that the School Development Plan is prepared in a timely and effective manner, in accordance with the statutory requirements for School Development Planning strategically implemented and reviewed to ensure the school's key objectives are successfully achieved.
- implement statutory policies and regulations and meet external accountabilities;
continue to foster inter-school relationships, including within Ballymena Learning Together promoting a sense of community among teachers and learners.
promote relationships between the school, its alumni and the Past Pupils' Association.
Note: The above list of duties is not prescriptive and may be modified, in consultation with the postholder, to meet the changing needs of the school.
