Vice Principal (Pastoral) - Priory Integrated College

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 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.

General:

• 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.

Assessment/Reporting:

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

Staff Development/Professional Development:

• 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.

Discipline/Health and Safety:

• Maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health and safety;
• Participating in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for the school or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral arrangements.

Public Examinations:

• 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.

Review and Development of Management Activities/Administration:

• 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.

Staff cover:

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

JOB DESCRIPTION VICE PRINCIPAL

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 full-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 leading School Development Planning, School Evaluation and Staff Professional Learning, most specifically pertaining to pastoral care;
• Ensuring pastoral supports are in place to enable inclusion and holistic pupil progress;
• Providing pastoral updates for the Board of Governors via the relevant committee meeting;
• Managing the counselling list and various providers;
• Acting as the lead on restorative practice;
• Leading on the assembly rota/themes and modelling high quality delivery;
• Developing the taught preventative pastoral programme, ensuring quality and consistency in delivery;
• As Designated Teacher, lead the Safeguarding Team and provide whole staff training;
• Attending LAC review and case conferences;
• Completing referrals for behaviour support;
• Overseeing the policy review cycle;
• Line managing the Leaders of Key Stage, ensuring high standards across the Key Stages in attendance, punctuality, uniform, manners, attitude to learning, intervention and outcomes;
• Working strategically to tackle poor attendance;
• Lead transition and engage in primary school promotional talks;
• Assist the Principal by keeping abreast of DE guidelines and research pertaining to pastoral care;
• Responsibility for extra-curricular activities and associated risk assessments;
• Undertaking 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;
• Leading and Managing Staff;
• Leading Learning and Teaching;
• Developing the School in the Community;
• Managing the Organisation;
• Ensuring Accountability.

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.

Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

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.

Post Primary Vice-Principal - Person Specification

Essential Qualifications:

• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland;
• Hold a 2.1 honours degree or higher.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years' teaching experience in a post primary school with a Sixth Form within the last 15 years;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a post with senior leadership responsibility pertaining to pastoral care within the last 10 years;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience as the Designated Teacher for Child Protection;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience of implementing restorative practice;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in driving forward the celebration of pupil success;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in leading whole school attendance.

Knowledge:

• The successful candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the Northern Ireland Post 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 and how to ensure high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school;
• Effective data management;
• Effective organisational management including the appropriate deployment of resources.

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;
• Lead strategically and develop self and others in order 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.

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.

Please note the onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information on their application forms in order to demonstrate how they meet each of the criteria.

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.

Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.