Principal -Clare Primary School

Overview

This is a teaching Principal post. The school currently has a financial allocation to allow for Principal Release of 2 days per week.

Professional Duties

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; 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.
• 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

In addition to the role of a teaching Principal, 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.
• Deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff and allocating duties to them, in a manner consistent with their terms and conditions of employment, maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee.
• Ensuring equitable sharing of duties for covering absent teachers, taking account of teaching and other duties.
• Maintaining relationships with organisations representing teachers and other staff.
• Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school, considering pupils’ needs and resources available.
• Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school.
• Evaluating the standards of teaching and learning and maintaining proper standards of professional performance.
• Providing information about staff work and performance where relevant to their future employment.
• Participating in staff development and performance review; ensuring staff have access to appropriate training as per employing authority policies.
• Ensuring pupil progress is monitored and recorded.
• Determining and implementing a policy for pastoral care of pupils.
• Promoting pupil self-discipline and proper regard for authority, and ensuring acceptable behaviour standards are maintained.
• Maintaining good order and discipline on school premises when pupils are present.
• Providing regular information to parents about the curriculum, pupil progress and other matters affecting the school.
• Promoting effective relationships with external persons and bodies approved by the employing authority.
• Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in its functions and reporting as required.
• Providing liaison with the employing authority and reporting 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.
• Ensuring security and supervision of school buildings and contents; reporting maintenance issues to the Board of Governors when required.
• Participating in staff development and performance review of principals; identifying and pursuing additional training as needed.
• Arranging for a Vice-Principal or another suitable person to assume principal duties when absent.
• Participating in teaching of pupils where appropriate and providing cover for absent teachers.
• A principal shall be allowed a break of at least 30 minutes between 12 noon and 2.00 pm.
• Participating in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.

Further Professional Duties (amended)

• Management of staff: considering how far duties may be delegated to a vice-principal and ensuring teachers receive information to perform their duties effectively.
• Training and development of staff: ensuring newly-qualified teachers and those returning to teaching have access to adequate support in their early years, within the general arrangements for all EA schools.

Candidate Profile

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills in the following key areas:

Shaping the Future

• Keep abreast of and anticipate educational trends.
• Think strategically to build and communicate a shared vision; create an ethos and provide direction that promotes high expectations and achievement; inspire and empower others to carry the vision forward.

Leading and Managing Staff

• Provide high-quality leadership to secure improvement; collaborate with others; foster distributed leadership; develop and sustain teams; ensure an open, fair culture; manage performance to raise standards; lead professional development within the school development plan.

Leading Learning and Teaching

• Cultivate enthusiasm for learning; develop an effective learning and teaching culture; lead self-evaluation, analyse data, and plan for improvement; implement the NI Curriculum and address pupil under-achievement.

Developing the School in the Community

• Promote a positive image of the school locally and beyond; maintain strong relationships with parents and the community; ensure effective communication channels; act on community feedback; work with statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance education.

Managing the Organisation

• Prioritise and organise; think creatively to solve problems; make sound decisions; establish structures and systems; implement the School Development Plan; delegate and monitor; manage resources effectively.

Ensuring Accountability

• Foster a culture of accountability; use self-evaluation and external evaluations to develop the school; monitor and evaluate outcomes, policies and procedures; disseminate effective practice and address underperformance; report to Governors on progress.

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. The job description is a guideline and may be updated; the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and comply with equality legislation at all times.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable qualifications, experience and attributes are listed in relation to shortlisting and selection as part of the application process. Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment. Applicants should provide sufficient detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet each criterion.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

In accordance with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required if appointed to a post involving regulated activity; applicants will be responsible for the cost of this disclosure.

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

Applicant Guidance

Guidance notes and benefits information are available through the Education Authority. The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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