School Principal [for Elementary and Secondary School]

School Principal

Job Purpose:

The role of the principal is to provide leadership, direction, and coordination within the school.

The principal’s focus should be to develop and maintain effective educational programs within the school and to promote the improvement of teaching and learning within the school. The principal should strive to create an organization and or climate which fosters student and teacher growth.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Leadership

• Continually endeavor to improve the operating effectiveness of the school for which he is responsible.

• Keep informed of current practices and techniques relating to school programs, teaching and administration by attending meetings and professional development conferences and reading professional materials.

• Suggest appropriate changes and ensure adherence to approved policies, practices, and procedures within his area of responsibility.

• Programming

• Co-ordinate and foster the development of programs within the school to best meet the needs and interests of the students. This includes the establishment, supervision, and evaluation of special education programs where a child needs one.

• Assist the teaching staff in the development, implementation, modifications, and selection of curriculum materials, and keep the Superintendent informed as to any modifications in or substitution of approved courses.

• Develop and support a high degree of student morale through curricular and extracurricular activities and services and coordinate the participation of all members of the teaching staff in the extracurricular program.

2. Organization

• Recruitment of professional, clerical and support staff.

• Responsible for the preparation of timetable, class lists and schedules, and supervision schedules and be responsible for their functioning.

• Hold regular staff meetings for the purpose of discussing educational and administrative matters.

• Responsible for the proper registration and transfer of students in the school and for the maintenance of up-to-date student cumulative records.

• Maintain or direct the maintenance of other records and files, and the preparation and submission of reports as required.

3. Staff Supervision and Evaluation

• As building administrator the principal is responsible for the daily supervision of the school, its students, facilitators, professional and support staff, volunteers, and personnel from outside agencies.

• See that every teacher shall be on duty in the school at least 10 minutes before the opening of the forenoon session, and at least five minutes before the opening of the afternoon session.

• Shall evaluate the effectiveness of each member of the staff in accordance with the establishment plan and shall forward written reports to the Superintendent.

• Be responsible for the development and conduct of an orientation program for all teachers new to his staff.

• See that instructions are prepared for the guidance of substitute teachers.

4. Student Control and Supervision

• Establish a climate in which students can develop self-discipline.

• To have disciplinary authority over each student while on school premises, while going to and from school, while riding on school buses, and while taking part in authorized school activities.

• To have authority over activities sponsored and conducted by the student organizations of his school.

• Be responsible for the provision of supervision of students and student activities in the school buildings, on school grounds, while loading or unloading from school buses, or involved in field trips or other student activities sponsored by the school.

• Inform parents of the school activities through newsletters, information nights, parent/teacher conferences, etc.

Requirements & Qualification

Principal Teaching Experience:

Typically, the candidate must possess a minimum of seven years of experience teaching with UK National Curriculum in both Elementary and Secondary School Education. Also, this means that the candidate must have valid teaching certification.

Master's Degree and Administrative Credentials:

The candidate also must have a master's degree in education, educational leadership, or educational administration.