Principal - Knockmore Primary School

Overview

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987 — Schedule 1, Regulation 4. General framework sets out the principal’s duties in relation to the school’s policy and objectives, internal organisation, management and control, and consultation with the employing authority and the Board of Governors where applicable.

Responsibilities

• A Principal shall carry out professional duties in accordance with the school’s policy and objectives as determined by the employing authority and, in controlled schools, the Board of Governors; shall obey reasonable directions of the employing authority and, in controlled schools, the Board of Governors.
• Be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school, subject to paragraph 1.
• Consult with the employing authority, school staff, and, in controlled schools, the Board of Governors as 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 staff, allocate duties, maintain a reasonable balance for each employee, and share duties with deputies or other staff where appropriate.
• Ensure equitable provision of cover for absent teachers by all teaching staff.
• Maintain relationships with organisations representing teachers and other staff where appropriate.
• Determine, organise and implement an appropriate curriculum, considering pupils’ needs, experience, interests, aptitudes and development, and available resources.
• Keep under review the work and organisation of the school; evaluate teaching and learning standards and ensure professional performance.
• Provide information about staff work and performance to relevant parties when required.
• Participate in staff development and performance review; ensure staff have access to appropriate advice and training in line with employing authority policies.
• Monitor and record pupil progress; determine and implement policy for pastoral care and pupil behaviour; promote good discipline in line with authority policies; make measures known and ensure implementation.
• Provide information to parents about curriculum, pupil progress and other school matters to promote understanding of aims.
• Promote effective relationships with external bodies approved by the employing authority; advise and assist the Board of Governors and attend meetings as required; liaise with the employing authority and other schools; manage school financial and material resources; ensure security and maintenance of school buildings and contents.
• Participate in staff development and performance review for principals; identify areas for further training and undertake such training.
• Arrange for Vice-Principal or another suitable person to discharge principal duties during absences.
• Participate in teaching where appropriate, including providing cover for absent teachers; ensure a minimum 30-minute break between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm where applicable.
• Participate in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.

Professional Duties – Amendments and Management

In addition to the above, professional duties have been amended to include: management of staff, delegating duties where appropriate, and ensuring teachers receive information needed to carry out duties effectively.

Qualifications and Experience

The following person specification outlines essential and desirable criteria under Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Personal Qualities. Shortlisting may adjust essential criteria as needed to facilitate a manageable shortlist. Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment. The onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information on their application forms to demonstrate how they meet each criterion.

Essential and Desirable

Qualifications

1) Hold a teaching qualification recognised to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland. Preference may be given to applicants who have completed an additional post‑graduate (or equivalent/higher) qualification in Education.

Experience

2) A minimum of 7 years post‑qualification teaching experience in primary education or equivalent experience in an affiliated educational body within the last 12 years. 3) Currently hold or have held for at least 4 years in the last 9 years:

• Experience of strategic leadership or coordination of a whole‑school area at SMT/SLT level, including monitoring and evaluation leading to measurable school improvement; and/or
• A post of Principal or Vice‑Principal; and/or
• Leadership and management experience within an affiliated body.

From experience demonstrate: 4) Evidence of how leadership has led to school improvement; 5) Evidence of leadership in strategic planning and/or organisational management; 6) Evidence of building a professional learning community.

Preference may be given to applicants who:

• Demonstrate evidence of leading whole‑school staff development;
• Have experience of financial and/or budgetary management within schools.

Knowledge

• The Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum and current policies and procedures;
• Understanding of inclusive special educational needs in schools with specialist provisions;
• Awareness of educational developments and the ability to evaluate and respond to new challenges and manage change;
• Effective classroom pedagogy and high standards of teaching, learning and achievement;
• Effective data management and organisational management including resource deployment;
• Financial governance and sound financial management.

Skills

• Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others; create an ethos and vision for the school; develop relationships and promote collaboration among staff, pupils, parents and governors;
• Lead strategically and develop self and others to achieve outcomes; monitor and evaluate teaching and learning; develop partnerships with the local community;
• Communicate effectively in writing and speech; organise and prioritise workload; manage staffing matters per EA policies; manage time effectively.

Personal Qualities

• Vision, sound values, enthusiasm, motivation, assertiveness, integrity, empathy, discretion, and the ability to cope under pressure;
• Tact, diplomacy, decisiveness and adaptability.

The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance essential criteria if necessary to facilitate a manageable shortlist. Applicants must be registered with the GTCNI on taking up employment.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines regulated activity. If recommended for appointment to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be required, and the applicant will be expected to meet the related costs. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Applicant guidance notes are available, and the Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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