Principal in Derry, Londonderry

Job Reference: 26000365

Primary Location: Derry/Londonderry-Limavady-Limavady Grammar School

Contract Type: Permanent

Duration of Contract / Contract End Date: N/A

Status: Full-Time

Hours per Week: Full time

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Grade / Scale: Principal | L26-L32 | £91,262 - £105,546 per annum

School Group: Group 6

Anticipated Interview Date(s): 19th February 2026

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL

A Principal shall be required to carry out his/her 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 the 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.

Professional Duties

• 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;
• Deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff of the school and allocating particular duties to them;
• Ensuring that the duty of providing cover for absent teachers is shared equitably among all teachers in the school;
• Maintaining relationships, as appropriate, with organisations representing teachers and other persons on the staff of the school;
• Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school;
• Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school;
• Evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the school;
• Providing information about the work and performance of the staff employed at the school;
• Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of teachers;
• Ensuring that all staff in the school have access to advice and training appropriate to their needs;
• 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;
• Promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies outside the school;
• Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of their functions;
• Providing for liaison and co-operation with the employing authority;
• Maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions of further education;
• Allocating, controlling and accounting for those financial and material resources of the school;
• Making arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the school buildings and their contents;
• Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of principals;
• Arranging for a Vice-Principal or another suitable person to assume responsibility for the discharge of his/her functions as principal at any time when he/she is absent from the school;
• Participating, to such extent as may be appropriate having regard to his/her other duties, in the teaching of the pupils at the school;
• To participate in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.

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.
• Leading and Managing Staff: Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement; Collaborate and network with others within and beyond the school; Foster a culture of shared/distributed leadership; Develop, empower and sustain individuals and teams; Support the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict effectively; Support and challenge performance in order to raise standards.
• Leading Learning and Teaching: Cultivate enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process; Lead and manage the development of an effective learning and teaching culture; Lead and manage the self-evaluation process; Ensure effective implementation of the NI Curriculum.
• Developing the School in the Community: Lead and manage the development and promotion of a positive image of the school; Develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with parents and the local community; Ensure effective channels of communication are in place between the school and the local community.
• Managing the Organisation: Prioritise, plan and organise themselves and others; Think creatively to anticipate and solve problems; Make sound decisions based on a range of informed judgments; Establish and maintain appropriate structures and systems; Manage resources efficiently and effectively.
• Ensuring Accountability: Create and develop a culture in which all Governors and staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school; Lead and manage the process of monitoring and evaluating effectively school outcomes, policies and procedures.

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.