Principal in Newtownstewart

Essential Qualifications

• Hold a teaching qualification that meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant‑aid schools in Northern Ireland.

Desirable Qualifications

• Successfully completed an additional postgraduate (or equivalent or higher) qualification in Education.
• Experience of financial and/or budgetary management within schools; and/or evidence of leading staff development within schools.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years post‑qualification teaching experience in primary education, and/or equivalent experience in an affiliated educational body working in an area that relates to the primary sector, within the last 12 years.
• Currently hold or have held for a minimum of 2 years and within the last 7 years a post with experience of strategic leadership or co‑ordination of a whole‑school area to include monitoring and evaluation delivering measurable school improvement; a post of Principal or Vice‑Principal; and/or a post with leadership and management experience within an affiliated body.
• Evidence that leadership has led to whole‑school improvement.
• Evidence of having held a leadership role in strategic planning and/or organisational management.
• Evidence of building a professional learning community that supports closer collaboration with practitioners, schools and school clusters.

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.
• Effective classroom pedagogy to ensure high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school.
• Effective data management.
• Effective organisational management including the appropriate deployment of resources.
• Effective financial management.
• Sound financial governance.

Skills

• Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others.
• Support the school's ethos and articulate a vision for the future.
• Develop good relationships at all levels and promote a collaborative and team approach among staff, pupils, parents and governors.
• Lead strategically and develop self and others to achieve outcomes.
• Promote, achieve, monitor and evaluate high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school.
• Develop effective partnerships between the school and the local community.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Organise and prioritise workload effectively.
• Deal with staffing matters in accordance with 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.
• An ability to cope under pressure.
• Tact and diplomacy.
• Decisiveness.
• Adaptability.

Professional Duties

• Carry out professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives.
• Responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school.
• Consult with the employing authority, staff and the Board of Governors where appropriate.
• Formulate the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for their implementation.
• Participate in the selection and appointment of teaching and non‑teaching staff.
• Deploy and manage all teaching and non‑teaching staff; allocate duties consistently with terms and conditions; ensure equitable teaching cover.
• Maintain relationships with teachers’ organisations and other stakeholders.
• Plan and implement an appropriate curriculum responsive to pupils’ needs and resources.
• Review the school’s work and organisation; evaluate teaching standards and maintain professional performance.
• Provide information on staff performance where relevant.
• Organise staff development and performance reviews.
• Monitor and record pupils’ progress; determine pastoral care policy.
• Promote good behaviour, discipline and student development; implement measures with clear communication.
• Maintain liaison with parents, governors, local community bodies and other schools.
• Allocate, control and account for financial and material resources.
• Ensure security and effective supervision of school premises.
• Prepare reports to the Board of Governors and employing authority.
• Arrange for a Vice‑Principal or suitable deputy in absence of the Principal.
• Participate, where appropriate, in teaching duties and cover for absent teachers.
• Allow a break of at least 30 minutes between 12 noon and 2 pm.
• Participate in the performance review and staff development (PRSD) for principals.

Additional Professional Duties

• Consider delegation of duties to a vice‑principal.
• Ensure teachers receive necessary information to carry out their professional duties.
• Provide support for newly‑qualified teachers and those returning to service.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

• The Education Authority will require an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background for posts involving regulated activity. Applicants will be expected to meet the cost of the certificate.

Legal and Equality Statements

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