1. IN-SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
Does it Work?
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

2. Introduction
This short presentation will not deal with the history or development of in-school management. It is worth noting, however, that this historical background plays a major role in how effective in-school management works in particular schools. The aim here is to look at a number of schools and examine some of the issues that arise.
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

3. 4 – 6 Teacher School STAFF: Principal Deputy Principal
Special Duties Teacher
Class teacher(s)
Shared learning support
SNA
Part-time Caretaker, Secretary, Cleaners
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

4. 4 – 6 Teacher School Deputy Principal
1. Assist the principal and carry out his/her duties in their absence.
2. Responsibility for I.T. and development of I.T. plan
3. Responsibility for ancillary staff.
4. Curricular area – Gaeilge
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

5. 4 – 6 Teacher School Special Duties Teacher
Responsibility for Educational Aids/ equipment
Responsibility for School savings scheme
Curricular area - Music
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

6. 4 – 6 Teacher School Deputy Principal One Special Duties Teacher
Main Issues : 1. Limited no. of posts
2. Limited mobility
3. Access to other teachers
4. Overload – parity with similar
post holders in larger schools
5. Other teacher(s) favour v. duty
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

7. Large School
Scoil Mhuire is a large urban school, built in 1983, currently in process of extending.
STAFF :
31 teachers,
17 Special Needs Assistants,
Caretaker, Secretary & 3 cleaners
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

8. Number of Posts Deputy Principal 3 Assistant Principals
10 Special Duties Teachers
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

9. Deputy Principal
Assist the principal in his duties and carry out these duties in his absence
Responsibility for Drama
Responsibility for Girls games
Responsibility for assemblies
Curricular area - Gaeilge
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

10. Assistant Principals 1. Assistant Principal
Duties : R.S.E, Green School, Liturgies, Music
2. Assistant Principal
Duties : Book Rental, Overseeing cleaning, Green School
3. Assistant Principal
Duties : School library, Positive discipline, English
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

11. SPECIAL DUTIES TEACHERS
1. Supervision rota, Art & Craft
2. Educational aids, swimming,science
3. School policies – non curricular
4. I.T., maintenance,policy,etc.
5. School savings scheme, maths equipment
6. Special needs
7. Green School
8. Boys games
9. P.E., Sports in general, equipment
10. School choir, music
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

12. Annual Review Duties List work carried out
List changes, if any, you would like to see introduced to your post
List any areas for discussion
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

13. Meetings Weekly meeting with Deputy Principal.
Each month there is a meeting with deputy principal and the three assistant principals.
This meeting is semi-formal, sometimes just a chat, sometimes with an agenda, but mainly to get an overview of how things are going.
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

14. Philosophy for Appointments
The best person gets the job
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

15. Appointments
Irrespective of the number of applications there should be a formal interview.
It can then be clarified that the applicant is aware that the post involves extra duties that entails extra time for extra payments.
It may also be clarified that as a general rule the post should not interfere with the teachers class contact time.
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

16. Acknowledgement
Power and decision making has to be distributed and delegated as well as duties
Affirmation of work done and good practise
Goodwill & professional generosity
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IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

17. Under Performance of Postholder
There Should be a mechanism in schools to deal with post holders who may not be performing their duties. This mechanism would need to meet proper and fair procedures. For example :
1. Verbal warning – noted and dated in school records
2. Written warning – copy in school records
3. BoM advises DES that the allowance should be discontinued
4. BoM initiates process to fill the post
5. Appeal mechanism?
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

18. The Principal
Irrespective of what duties are delegated, in any size school, the principal should always retain direct contact with Staff, Pupils and Parents.
“Education is a relationship not a product” – (Kathleen Lynch)
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004

19. Issues for Debate
1. Should an allowance to be paid to a school for in-school management be an option?
2. Should there be a compulsory review of all posts to ascertain if the posts are meeting the needs of the school (annually, every 2 years etc.).
3. List areas that should be included in review of in-school management e.g. Parity with second level schools in relation to reduced hours, etc.
25/05/2019
IPPN CONFERENCE 2004