Vice Principal in Belfast

This role will include specific responsibilities in relation to raising standards in student welfare and achievement, including Safeguarding and Child Protection.

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;
• 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.

Public Examinations:

• Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in assessing pupils for the purposes of such examinations.

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.

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.

Essential Qualifications:

• Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.

Experience:

• Have a minimum of 8 years post qualification teaching experience in post primary education;
• Currently hold or have held for a minimum of 3 years a post with experience of strategic leadership or co-ordination of a whole school area.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of the Northern Ireland Post Primary Curriculum and current policies and procedures;
• Effective classroom pedagogy and how to ensure high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school.

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.

Personal Qualities:

• Vision;
• A sound value system;
• Enthusiasm and motivation;
• Integrity;
• Adaptability.

Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment.