Job Reference: 25000609
Primary Location: Antrim-Belfast-Cedar Lodge Special School
Contract Type: Permanent
Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: n/a
Status: Full-Time
Hours per Week: Full-Time
Working Pattern: Monday - Friday
Grade/Scale: Principal | L26-L32 | £86,504 - £100,043 per annum
School Group: Group 6
Anticipated Interview Date(s): Stage 1: Wednesday 5 March 2025, Stage 2 (if required): Friday 21 March 2025
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A PRINCIPAL
1. 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.
2. Subject to paragraph 1 the principal shall be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the school.
3. In carrying out his/her duties the principal shall consult, where this is appropriate, with the employing authority, the staff of the school and, in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors.
Professional Duties
1. Formulating the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for their implementation;
2. Participating in the selection and appointment of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school;
3. Deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff of the school and allocating particular duties to them, maintaining a reasonable balance for each employee;
4. Ensuring that the duty of providing cover for absent teachers is shared equitably among all teachers in the school;
5. Maintaining relationships, as appropriate, with organisations representing teachers and other persons on the staff of the school;
6. Determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school, having regard to the needs, experience, interests, aptitudes and stage of development of the pupils and the resources available to the school;
7. Keeping under review the work and organisation of the school;
8. Evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the school, and ensuring that proper standards of professional performance are established and maintained;
9. Providing information about the work and performance of the staff employed at the school where this is relevant to their future employment;
10. Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of teachers who teach in the school;
11. Ensuring that the progress of the pupils of the school is monitored and recorded;
12. Determining and ensuring the implementation of a policy for the pastoral care of the pupils;
13. Determining measures to promote self-discipline and proper regard for authority among the pupils;
14. Making arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the school;
15. Promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies outside the school;
16. Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of their functions;
17. Providing for liaison and co-operation with the employing authority;
18. Maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions of further education;
19. Allocating, controlling and accounting for those financial and material resources of the school which are under the control of the principal;
20. Making arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the school buildings and grounds;
21. Participating in any scheme of staff development and performance review of principals;
22. Arranging for a Vice-Principal or another suitable person to assume responsibility during absence;
23. Participating in the teaching of the pupils at the school;
24. Ensuring a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12 noon and 2.00 pm;
25. Participating in the Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) for Principals.
A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills associated with the following key areas:
Shaping the Future
1. Keep abreast of and anticipate educational trends;
2. Think strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision;
3. Create an ethos and provide direction that promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement;
4. Inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others;
5. Model the values and ethos of the school.
Leading and Managing Staff
1. Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement;
2. Collaborate and network with others within and beyond the school;
3. Foster a culture of shared/distributed leadership;
4. Support the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict effectively;
5. Support and challenge performance to raise standards;
6. Work with others to lead professional development for all staff.
Leading Learning and Teaching
1. Cultivate enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process;
2. Lead and manage the development of an effective learning and teaching culture;
3. Lead and manage the self-evaluation process;
4. Ensure effective implementation of the NI Curriculum.
Developing the School in the Community
1. Lead and manage the development and promotion of a positive image of the school;
2. Develop and maintain strong relationships with parents and the community;
3. Ensure effective channels of communication are in place;
4. Listen to, reflect and act on community feedback;
5. Work closely with other relevant agencies to enhance education.
Managing the Organisation
1. Prioritise, plan and organise themselves and others;
2. Think creatively to anticipate and solve problems;
3. Make sound decisions based on informed judgments;
4. Establish and maintain appropriate structures and systems;
5. Lead and manage the development and implementation of the School Development Plan;
6. Delegate tasks and monitor their implementation;
7. Manage resources efficiently and effectively.
Ensuring Accountability
1. Create and develop a culture of accountability among all staff;
2. Combine outcomes of regular self-evaluation and external evaluations to develop the school;
3. Lead and manage the process of monitoring and evaluating school outcomes;
4. Work closely with and provide effective reports to Governors.
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.
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