Vice Principal in Newry

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A VICE-PRINCIPAL

A person appointed Vice Principal in a school, in addition to carrying out the professional duties of a teacher, shall play a major role under the overall direction of the principal in:

• formulating the aims and objectives of the school;
• establishing the policies through which they will be achieved;
• managing staff and resources to that end;
• monitoring progress towards their achievement;
• undertaking any professional duties of the principal delegated to him/her by the principal;
• undertaking to the extent required by the principal or the relevant body or employing authority the professional duties of the principal in the event of his/her absence from the school;
• entitlement to a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12 noon and 2pm.

JOB DESCRIPTION – TEACHING POSTS

Main duties and Responsibilities

• Planning

• Planning and preparing courses and lessons;
• Teaching, according to their educational needs, the pupils assigned to him/her, including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the pupils in school and elsewhere;
• Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.

• Promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and of any class or group of pupils assigned to him/her;
• Providing advice and guidance to pupils on educational and social matters and on their further education and future careers;
• Making records of and reports on the personal and social needs of pupils;
• Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils;
• Communicating and co-operating with such persons or bodies outside the school as may be approved by the employing authority and the Board of Governors;
• Participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described above.

• Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils.

• Participating, if required, in any scheme of staff development and performance review;
• Reviewing from time to time his/her methods of teaching and programmes of work;
• Advising and co-operating with the Principal and other teachers on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment and pastoral arrangements.

• Maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.

• Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in assessing pupils for the purposes of such examinations; recording and reporting such assessments; and participating in arrangements for pupils’ presentation for and supervision during such examination.

• Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional development of other teachers;
• Co-ordinating or managing the work of other teachers;
• Participating in administrative and organisational tasks related to such duties.

• Supervising and teaching any pupils whose teacher is not available.

The successful candidate will work within the agreed Terms and Conditions of Service for Vice-Principals. The Vice-Principal will be required to deputise for the Principal when necessary and take an active part in all aspects of school life. In addition to a part-time teaching commitment and membership of the School Leadership Team, the Vice-Principal’s duties will include:

• Leading learning through example by high standards of teaching and learning.
• Assisting the Principal in all areas of leading learning and teaching, school administration, management and organisation.
• Assisting the Principal in leading School Development Planning, School Evaluation Self-Evaluations and Staff Development (INSET).
• Curriculum Co-ordination including overseeing the development and delivery of the curriculum across the Key Stages.
• Assessment coordinator for the school.
• Assisting the Principal in the promotion of positive behaviour and assertive discipline.
• Chair of the Safeguarding Team and ensure that children have the best opportunity to reach their potential.
• Act as line manager for classroom assistants.
• Assisting the Principal with financial administration including budget planning and projections, allocations and monitoring spend and reconciliations.
• Responsibility for timetables and rotas.
• Maintaining, developing and promoting formal and informal links with parents.
• Assist the Principal in organising major school events.
• Responsibility for extra-curricular activities.
• Assisting with lunch time cover.
• Undertaking such other duties as the Principal may require.

This job description may be amended at any time after discussion with the Principal.

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, which promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement;
• Inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the vision and ethos forward;
• Model the values and ethos of the school.

• Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement;
• Collaborate and network with others within and beyond the school;
• Foster a culture of shared/distributed leadership;
• Support the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict effectively;
• Work with others to lead professional development for all staff within the context of the school’s development plan.

• Cultivate enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process;
• Lead and manage the development of an effective learning and teaching culture;
• Ensure effective implementation of the NI Curriculum, share good practice and work with others to challenge and address pupil under-achievement.

• Lead and manage the development and promotion of a positive image of the school within the local community and beyond;
• Develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with parents and the local and wider community;
• Ensure effective channels of communication are in place between the school and the local and wider community.

• Prioritise, plan and organise themselves and others;
• Make sound decisions based on a range of informed judgments;
• Lead and manage the development and implementation of the School Development Plan;
• Manage resources efficiently and effectively: human, physical and financial.

• Create and develop a culture in which all Governors and staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school;
• Work closely with and provide effective reports to Governors on the school’s progress and development.

Conditions of Service

The conditions of service for this post will be in accordance with the Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Essential Qualifications

• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland;
• Preference may be given to those applicants who have successfully completed an additional post graduate (or equivalent or higher) qualification in Education.

Essential Experience

• Have a minimum of 5 years post qualification teaching experience in post primary education;
• Currently hold or have held for a minimum of 2 years a post with experience of strategic leadership or co-ordination of a whole school area at a minimum level of SMT/SLT.

Essential Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum and current policies and procedures;
• Current educational developments and the ability to evaluate and respond to new educational challenges and manage change effectively.

Essential Skills

• Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others;
• Create an ethos and articulate vision for the future of the school;
• Develop good relationships at all levels and promote a collaborative and team approach among staff, pupils, parents and governors.

Personal Qualities

• Vision;
• A sound value system;
• Enthusiasm and motivation;
• Assertiveness and confidence;
• A caring child centred approach;
• Integrity;
• Discretion;
• An ability to cope under pressure;
• Tact and diplomacy;
• Decisiveness;
• Adaptability.

The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance the essential criteria if necessary in order to facilitate a manageable shortlist. Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.