Principal Teacher Secondary
Key purpose
The role of the Principal Teacher (curriculum/pastoral) is described in Annex B of the McCrone agreement.
To work in partnership with various teams of staff within the curricular areas. Where appropriate, the remit will include taking a lead role across the learning community as well as within an establishment. The specified aspects of working may be varied by the Head of Learning Community or Head Teacher in response to changing priorities within the community.
Main duties and responsibilities
To develop and maintain the provision for your subject within the school. This will be achieved by contributing to each of the following areas:
Responsibility for the leadership, good management and strategic direction of colleagues
- provide staff with support in implementing the aims of the school
- develop a coherent set of aims for a departmental area which complements the aims of the school
- initiate and lead discussions on the development of learning and teaching strategies
- produce an improvement plan for the department
- deploy staff appropriately
- ensure that arrangements are in place for pupil assessment to be carried out
Curriculum development and quality assurance
- ensure that the principles of curriculum development are applied
- ensure that courses are being taught effectively
- ensure that appropriate courses are developed for each year group
- ensure that courses are continuous and progressive
- ensure that courses are appropriately resourced
- ensure that learning and teaching are monitored and evaluated
Contribute to the development of school policy in relation to the behaviour management of pupils
- assist in the development of strategies to manage pupil behaviour
- participate in activities emerging from policy to assist with the management of behaviour
- support colleagues with the maintenance of standards
The management and guidance of colleagues
- direct staff in their work, including curriculum development
- deploy staff taking account of strengths
- contribute to the professional development of staff
- develop collegiality and team working among staff
- ensure balance in timetabling
Reviewing the CPD needs, career development and performance of colleagues
- ensure that annual reviews of performance take place as appropriate
- ensure that appropriate staff development opportunities are available to support staff
The provision of advice, support and guidance to colleagues
- advice on teaching materials, including discussion of requisition requirements
- organising cover arrangements for absent colleagues
- advice on a range of possible methodologies
- pupil management
- assessment, including SQA arrangements
- reporting to parents
- managing parents’ evenings
- particular advice for students and probationer teachers
Responsibility for the leadership, good management and strategic direction of pastoral care within the school
- discuss pastoral care with teaching staff, identifying ways in which staff to be involved in pastoral care
- contribute to the development plan for the pastoral care in the school
- arrangements for developing links with parents
The development of school policy for the behaviour management of pupils
- consider how best to manage pupil behaviour in the school
- develop links between pastoral care staff and behaviour support staff
- develop strategies to address the issue of the small number of highly disruptive pupils, particularly those who have challenging backgrounds
Assisting in the management, deployment and development of pastoral care staff
- develop the role of staff in the delivery of first line guidance
- staff development for staff
Implementation of whole school policies dealing with guidance issues, pastoral care, assessment and pupil welfare
- implementation of policies in relation to options
- assist with transitions generally – primary to secondary, UCAS, careers information
- providing reports to pastoral care staff where possible
- participation in work experience programme
Working in partnership with colleagues, parents, other specialist agencies and staff in other schools as appropriate
- work with school staff, parents, psychologists, social worker, reporter as appropriate to the needs of the pupils
- develop and extend the links between parents and the school