BELFAST ROYAL ACADEMY
VICE PRINCIPAL
Required for September 2015
GENERAL INFORMATION
Belfast Royal Academy, founded in 1785, is the oldest school in the city. There are 1400 pupils in
the grammar school and a further 130 in the Preparatory Department. Belfast Royal Academy
seeks to offer each of its pupils opportunity and excellence through the taught curriculum and
through a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Academic standards are high. Pastoral care
underpins the work done in School and there is a strong commitment to care for the individual
within the School’s ethos and values. Further details about school life may be found on the
School’s website: www.belfastroyalacademy.com
The Leadership Team at Belfast Royal Academy consists of the Principal, a Deputy Principal, two
Vice Principals, three Senior Teachers and two Deputy Senior Teachers, and three Heads of
School. The responsibilities of the Vice Principals have traditionally been linked to the areas of
Curriculum, Girls’ Pastoral Care and Boys’ Pastoral Care. The main responsibility within the
advertised post will be for the Pastoral Care of Boys.
Salary is on the ISR for Vice Principals L18 - L22 and salary is reviewed annually in accordance with
the School’s Salary Policy.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 31st March 2015. Late applications will not be
accepted. The application form and a Disclosure Certificate Application Form may be
downloaded from the School’s website or may be requested from the Headmaster’s secretary.
When completed, a hard copy of both forms must be sent to the Headmaster’s Secretary.
Electronic or faxed versions will not be accepted.
In accordance with our child protection procedures, short-listed candidates will be asked to bring
proof of identity (as listed within the Disclosure Certificate Application Form) and of qualifications
to the interview. The appointment will be confirmed after all pre-employment checks have been
completed satisfactorily.
Belfast Royal Academy is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all
sections of the community.
Apps/VP SPEC 2015
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
Essential
1.1
1st or 2nd Class Honours Degree or Higher Degree
1.2
Recognition as a qualified teacher by the General Teaching Council for Northern
Ireland
1.3
Current experience in a post carrying the 3rd Teaching Allowance or above in a postprimary school with a Sixth Form
1.4
Evidence of leadership qualities through leading the work of a team in school
1.5
A record of securing high standards of discipline
1.6
A record of high standards in teaching up to and including GCE Advanced level
1.7
Evidence of experience in promoting high standards in teaching and learning
1.8
Evidence of effective management skills and experience
1.9
Direct experience of leadership and management and clear evidence of initiative in a
pastoral context
1.10
Knowledge of current educational issues
1.11
Strong oral and written communication skills
1.12
Good analytical skills and the ability to think strategically and contribute to
development planning
1.13
Evidence of commitment to extra-curricular activities within school
1.14
Energy, enthusiasm and the ability to cope effectively with the demands of a senior
management post
Desirable
2.1
A minimum of eight years’ teaching experience within a post-primary school with a
Sixth Form
2.2
Experience as Head of Year or Head of Department, or in a post of whole-school
responsibility
2.3
Experience of school development planning and the use of self-evaluation to review
progress and raise standards
2.4
Current experience as a member of a Leadership / Senior Management Team
2.5
In-service training / qualifications in school leadership such as PQH / Higher Degree
relevant to the responsibilities of the post
2.6
Experience of working with external agencies
Apps/VP SPEC 2015
General responsibilities of the Vice Principal

To take responsibility for the School in the Headmaster’s absence;

To maintain a leadership role in all aspects of the life of the school;

To assist and advise the Headmaster in the appointment of members of staff;

To have a central role in policy making;

To promote good staff relationships and ensure that effective channels of communication
are maintained;

To have a high profile in the day-to-day running of the school;

To prepare from time to time, figures and statistics;

To represent the school on public occasions;

To conduct advisory or disciplinary interviews with parents;

To participate in all meetings of Senior Staff, Heads of Department and Heads of Year;

To participate in all meetings of the Games Council and Arts Awards Committee;

To promote the corporate life of the School;

To foster good relationships between the School and parents;

To have a responsibility for the organisation of school events such as Open Evenings,
Parents’ Evenings, Prize Day, Carol Services etc, and to prepare relevant written material;

To prepare circulars and other material for staff, pupils or parents relating to the structure
and events of the School year;

To conduct Assembly;

To conduct Consultation interviews with pupils as they move between Forms;

To contribute to strategic planning and to the monitoring and evaluation of the progress
made towards realising the priorities in the School Development plan;

To have a responsibility for the organisation and disposition of Prefects;

To work closely with the Headmaster in the placing of pupils in Further and Higher
Education;

To assume such other duties and responsibilities as may from time to time be agreed with
the Headmaster.
Apps/VP RESPONSIBILITIES 2015
Specific responsibilities of the Vice Principal

To be responsible to the Headmaster for the welfare, discipline and pastoral care of boys;

To be innovative and to seek opportunities to enrich pastoral provision and raise academic
standards;

To oversee UCAS and other Higher and Further Education applications for boys, and to have a
particular responsibility for the Oxbridge UCAS application forms for boys and girls;

To draft references and testimonials for boys;

To be Designated Teacher for Child Protection, or Deputy on a rotational basis;

To share responsibility for children and young people identified as being at risk or otherwise
in need of support from external agencies;

To have the oversight of drugs education;

To have overall responsibility for the organisation of Assemblies;

To have responsibility for transport and pupil security;

To have responsibility for Saturday Morning Detention;

To organise a response to requests from television and radio for pupils to participate in
programmes;

To respond where possible to requests to the School to participate in research and other
projects involving pupils;

To have a general responsibility for Ben Madigan;

To have responsibility for drawing up the staff duty rotas;

To oversee the School’s global opportunities programme;

To share responsibility for links with the North Belfast Area Learning Community;

To have an oversight of attendance and to work closely with the Education Welfare Officer
and with the Heads of School regarding attendance;

To be the line manager of the Heads of School and Heads of Year;

To help to prepare the agenda of the Heads of Year meetings and to Chair the meetings;

To oversee the professional development of the teaching staff at all levels (BT, EPD, CPD,
PRSD);

To mentor new members of the teaching staff;

To be the link person with the School Counsellor on a rotational basis;

To work closely with the Friends of the Academy (the Parent-Teacher Association).
Apps/VP RESPONSIBILITIES 2015