Vice-Principal Conference NAHT Thursday 12 th November 2009

My Role and Function in NAHT NI Regional Officer Regional Officer –Support members who find themselves in difficulty Director of Trade Union Services Director of Trade Union Services –Provide information and advice –Represent the interests of school leaders in negotiations with the employer/DENI Salary Salary Conditions of service Conditions of service

Your Role and Function as a School Leader Working with and Managing Staff Working with and Managing Staff Working with and Managing Pupils Working with and Managing Pupils Working with Parents Working with Parents Working with other agencies Working with other agencies

Your Role and Function as a School Leader Working with the Principal Working with the Principal Taking over the role and function of the Principal when (s)he is out of school Taking over the role and function of the Principal when (s)he is out of school

The Jordanstown Agreement A person appointed Vice-Principal in a school, in addition to carrying out the professional duties of a school teacher, including those duties particularly assigned to him by the Principal in Paragraph 12 shall (1) assist the Principal in managing the school or such part of it as may be determined by the Principal; A person appointed Vice-Principal in a school, in addition to carrying out the professional duties of a school teacher, including those duties particularly assigned to him by the Principal in Paragraph 12 shall (1) assist the Principal in managing the school or such part of it as may be determined by the Principal; (2) undertake any professional duty of the Principal, which may be delegated to him by the Principal; (3) undertake, in the absence of the Principal to the extent required by him or his employers, the professional duties of the Principal The provisions of Paragraphs 12 to 16 inclusive above shall apply to Vice- Principals, Second Masters and Second Mistresses. The provisions of Paragraphs 12 to 16 inclusive above shall apply to Vice- Principals, Second Masters and Second Mistresses.

The Jordanstown Agreement (12) (12) Determining, in accordance with any written statement of general principles provided for him by the Board of Governors, measures to be taken with a view to promoting, among the pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority, encouraging good behaviour on the part of the pupils, securing that the standard of behaviour of the pupils is acceptable, and otherwise regulating the conduct of the pupils; making such measures generally known within the school, and ensuring that they are implemented. Determining, in accordance with any written statement of general principles provided for him by the Board of Governors, measures to be taken with a view to promoting, among the pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority, encouraging good behaviour on the part of the pupils, securing that the standard of behaviour of the pupils is acceptable, and otherwise regulating the conduct of the pupils; making such measures generally known within the school, and ensuring that they are implemented. (13) (13) In accordance with the policy of the employing authority having responsibility for good order and discipline on the school premises whenever pupils are present, including the midday break. In accordance with the policy of the employing authority having responsibility for good order and discipline on the school premises whenever pupils are present, including the midday break.

The Jordanstown Agreement (14) (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, so as to promote common understanding of its aims. Making arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting the school, so as to promote common understanding of its aims. (15) (15) Promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies outside the school as may be approved by the school authorities. Promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies outside the school as may be approved by the school authorities. (16) (16) Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of its functions, including attending meetings of the Board of Governors and making such reports to it in connection with the discharge of his functions as it may properly require either on a regular basis or from time to time. Advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of its functions, including attending meetings of the Board of Governors and making such reports to it in connection with the discharge of his functions as it may properly require either on a regular basis or from time to time.

Your Role and Function as a School Leader Working with Parents Working with Parents –What are parental rights? –Who has parental rights? –What recourse has a parent who believes that the teacher/school has failed his/her child? Parental Responsibility : Guidance for Schools (1999/17) Parental Responsibility : Guidance for Schools (1999/17)

Working with Parents Parental Complaints Procedure Parental Complaints Procedure

Your Role and Function as a School Leader Working with and Managing Staff Working with and Managing Staff –What can school leaders legitimately ask of teachers and other members of staff –What duties/responsibilities are required of teachers and other members of staff carry –To what extent can teachers and other members of staff be held responsible/accountable for the work that they do?

Your Role and Function as a School Leader Working with and Managing Staff Working with and Managing Staff –What can school leaders legitimately ask of teachers and other members of staff –What duties/responsibilities are required of teachers and other members of staff carry –To what extent can teachers and other members of staff be held responsible/accountable for the work that they do? The Jordanstown Agreement (1987) The Jordanstown Agreement (1987)

Managing Staff Disciplinary Procedure Disciplinary Procedure Dignity in the workplace Dignity in the workplace Grievance Procedure Grievance Procedure Teacher Attendance Teacher Attendance

Criminal Law / Employment Law Beyond reasonable doubt (CL) Beyond reasonable doubt (CL) On the balance of probability (EL) On the balance of probability (EL)

Carrying out an investigation Why is the investigation taking place? Why is the investigation taking place? Who will conduct the investigation? Who will conduct the investigation? What are the exact terms of reference? What are the exact terms of reference? When will the interviews take place? When will the interviews take place? Where will the interviews take place? Where will the interviews take place? How long is the investigation due to last? How long is the investigation due to last?

Why Investigate To elicit facts To elicit facts To inform decision making process To inform decision making process To demonstrate reasonableness To demonstrate reasonableness To comply with statutory requirements To comply with statutory requirements To be in possession of all pertinent facts To be in possession of all pertinent facts To create awareness and better understanding To create awareness and better understanding To provide basis for future preventative measures To provide basis for future preventative measures

The responsibility of the investigator Ensure your instructions are clear Ensure your instructions are clear Plan and prepare the investigation Plan and prepare the investigation Determine remit, limitations, terms of reference Determine remit, limitations, terms of reference Investigate evidence in relation to allegations Investigate evidence in relation to allegations Identify the legal framework Identify the legal framework Analyse the issues Analyse the issues Establish the facts Establish the facts Identify the sources of facts Identify the sources of facts

The responsibility of the investigator Check for gaps and inconsistencies Check for gaps and inconsistencies Consider whether more information is required Consider whether more information is required Record and retain all information gathered Record and retain all information gathered Make notes throughout the investigation process Make notes throughout the investigation process Be aware of the types of evidence Be aware of the types of evidence

The responsibility of the Investigator Distinguish between individuals who can assist and those who are subject to the investigation Distinguish between individuals who can assist and those who are subject to the investigation Operate within the rules, procedures, policies and codes Operate within the rules, procedures, policies and codes Pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, whether these point towards or away from the subject of the investigation Pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, whether these point towards or away from the subject of the investigation

Be aware of Different types of evidence Different types of evidence Investigative interviewing Investigative interviewing The peace model The peace model Aspects of best practice Aspects of best practice Legal issues Legal issues Relationship with law Relationship with law