“High quality leadership is crucial in establishing a shared purpose and vision for a school and to the achievement of high quality educational outcomes for students. The primary purpose of school leadership and management is to create and sustain an environment that underpins high quality in student care, learning and teaching.” Circular 0003/2018
"It shall be the duty of a board to manage the school on behalf of the patron and for the benefit of the students and their parents and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school for which that board has responsibility". (Education Act, 1998). The management of the school is in accordance with the following
Legislation
DE circulars, guidelines and procedures
Any policies/strategies the Patron/Trustee/ETB may establish regarding the operation of its schools and in the case of Voluntary Secondary Schools an employment function.
The Principal of the school is entitled to attend and speak at Board meetings but is not entitled to vote. The Principal should report to Board meetings, keeping it up-to-date on school activities.
Circular 0003/2018 provides the framework for the Leadership and Management structures in post-primary schools. This circular outlines the critical role of school leadership in the leadership of learning within the school and the consequent impact on the learning outcomes and learning experiences of the students.
Click on the image above to view this resource.
The Principal is responsible for the day-to-day running of and internal business of the school. She / he oversees the academic organisation of the school, e.g. timetabling, staff allocation, class organisation, curriculum organisation, allocation of duties to non-teaching staff etc. The Principal is responsible for student discipline within the school. A decision on the short-term suspension of a student may be made by the Principal. Such decisions should be reported to the Board at its next meeting. All necessary communication with the Department of Education and the school should be undertaken by the Principal. The Principal should also maintain communications with the parents of students attending the school. The Principal is also required to ensure the proper upkeep of the buildings in which the school is housed and be responsible for all aspects of the day to day running costs of the school and other fiscal obligations.
The overall responsibility of the Deputy Principal is to assist the Principal in the management of the school. The Deputy Principal may be required to deputise for the Principal in his/her absence in all matters organisational/administrative and in relation to discipline within the school. The Deputy Principal may have roles and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal so as to assist in the smooth running of the school.
In relation to Assistant Principal posts, roles and responsibilities which need to be performed for the effective leadership and management of the school are determined through a consultation process between the Principal, Deputy Principal(s) and the teaching staff. This consultation process is informed by the leadership and management needs and priorities of the school.
In-school leadership and management needs and priorities vary from school to school depending on the school size, location and levels of educational attainment of the pupils.
Assignment or reassignment of roles and responsibilities to Assistant Principals is delegated by the Board of Management/ ETB to the Principal. (Circular 0003/2018). Both AP 1&2 are paid middle leadership roles. In the ETB sector an AP1’s has 4 hours off of their timetable to fulfil their duties and in the other sectors this is at the discretion of the Principal.
This position is conditional on the continuation of the programme in question and can be paid at the AP1 or AP2 rate in accordance with the circular 0003/2018. The Programme Coordinator normally but not exclusively deals with programmes such as the Transition Year Programme, LCA or PLC.
The Year Head has a major role in the administrative, pastoral and discipline functions of the students in his/her year group and in the wider school context. They are concerned with issues that may arise within the year group and coordinate and liaise with teachers and SNA’s/support staff of students within the year group who may be experiencing certain difficulties and challenges.
The PDST provides professional development for school leaders through its specific leadership programmes and across all areas of teaching and learning. Its website for leadership supports includes a broad range of supports for school leaders.
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals provides support for the development of school leadership based upon philosophical and moral principles as well as professional skills.
The Centre for School Leadership offers support to school leaders on the continuum of leadership development.
See https://www.cslireland.ie/
