1. education
2. school

EA15/SER/PL15015
REGENT HOUSE SCHOOL
Circular Road
Newtownards
BT23 4QA
Appointment of
Vice Principal
(Post available immediately)
Group 7
Leadership Scale Points 20 – 24
(£60,407 - £66,623 per annum)
School Information
Regent House can trace its ancestry back to the foundation of Newtownards
Intermediate School in 1878 and has existed in its present form since 1924. It
is a co-educational, non-denominational, controlled grammar school with a
complement of 100 teaching staff (including 83 full-time teachers) and over
1500 pupils, of whom more than 350 are in the Sixth Form. The school
moved to a new building on the present extensive site in 1962. A major
programme of rebuilding and refurbishment is completed and the school now
provides a wealth of resources to deliver the curriculum. The extensive
facilities include specialist rooms for all practical subjects, a large Library with
adjoining Audio-Visual suite, a Music Suite with recording studio, a
Gymnasium, Sports Hall and Fitness Suite, five Computer Rooms, a Sixth
Form Common Room and separate Study Centre, Drama rehearsal space
and Performance Theatre, a Careers Suite, a Bistro and Dining Hall with
Winter Garden and patio area, and Assembly Hall with adjoining Summer
Garden. All classrooms have access to the C2K computer network and there
are interactive whiteboards in every classroom. A new 3G hockey pitch has
recently been installed in the school grounds.
Central to the educational philosophy of Regent House is the belief that each
pupil should be encouraged to fulfil his/her potential in a concerned and caring
environment. Accordingly the school seeks to provide a sound academic
education for all pupils to the highest level possible, to foster personal and
social development and encourage the acquisition of that great range of skills
needed for an individual to lead an active and satisfying life in the 21st
century.
During the first five years all pupils are prepared for GCSE examinations in
which most attempt 9 or 10 subjects from the 28 currently available. After
GCSE the majority return to the sixth form to study for GCE at A/S and
Advanced Level. The majority of pupils proceed to University and other forms
of Higher Education.
Guidance about University and Higher Education courses and in the choice of
careers is regarded by the school as an important aspect of education and is
provided by a skilled careers staff.
The school expects its pupils to wear school uniform and to maintain high
standards of behaviour both in school and in public. Each form is under the
supervision of a Year Teacher for boys and Year Teacher for girls who look
after the welfare and progress of the pupils. There are also Form Teachers
who are in charge of much smaller groups. Heads of Junior, Middle and
Senior School, the SLT and Vice-Principals exercise a pastoral and academic
oversight. In addition a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
arrange provision for pupils with special educational needs. The school also
employs the services of a full-time Matron and part-time pupil Counsellor. It is
the aim of the school that the special needs and problems of each individual
pupil should in this way receive attention.
The school strongly believes in the value of extra-curricular activities and
caters very successfully for a wide range of sporting and recreational
interests. All pupils are encouraged to become involved in this aspect of
school life.
Regent House operates a very successful non-denominational day school
Preparatory Department, enrolling both boys and girls in the 4-11 age group.
The Prep currently has an enrolment of 100 pupils and has a teaching
complement of 8 teachers.
School Information
The Prep has a long-standing reputation as a school of excellence and
provides a caring family atmosphere through the provision of a happy, safe,
secure and stimulating learning environment where pupils are values and are
able to learn effectively.
Regent House believes in close co-operation with parents and seeks to enlist
their support in all aspects of their sons’ and daughters' education. Parents
are kept informed about progress through school reports, regular parent
meetings and personal interviews. There is an active School Association
which parents are encouraged to support.
Copies of the school’s prospectus, which provides more detailed information
on the school, are available from the school. Further information about the
school
can
also
be
obtained
from
the
school’s
website,
www.regenthouse.org.uk.
Regent House has recently been inspected by the Education and Training
Inspectorate. Whilst the report makes several important recommendations it
also identifies that we have recognised a need to improve outcomes, have an
appropriate development plan in place and that we have a renewed sense of
vitality and collegiality and a culture of higher expectation amongst the staff.
Alongside this appointment there are further significant changes at Senior
Leadership Level with a number of colleagues taking on newly promoted
positions. We believe it is an exciting time for someone to join us at a senior
level as you will have wide ranging opportunities to effect improvement across
all areas of school life.
Key Areas for the Vice-Principal are:
Please note that this job description is subject to change, through negotiation
with the Headmaster, on a regular and on-going basis. It is anticipated that the
successful candidate will initially take on more pastoral responsibilities but
over time it is expected that this will broaden significantly.
1. General
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Job Description
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
To deputise for the Headmaster when required.
To contribute at a significant level to whole school development
planning.
To design, implement, monitor, evaluate and review policies and
procedures to effect school improvement.
To participate fully in Senior Leadership Team meetings, value and
support the work of all members.
To keep abreast of educational initiatives, sharing knowledge and
expertise with others.
To take a leading part in the life of the school, supporting and
assisting in the organisation of all events and activities and
ensuring the presentation of a positive image of the school to the
wider community.
To establish effective links with parents, other schools, outside
agencies, business, industry and the community to support and
extend the educational experience.
To share responsibility for conducting daily Assembly in
consultation with the Headmaster, and Senior Leadership Team
To be available for part of the summer holiday for evaluation,
administration and/or planning as required.
To represent the school when required at functions actively
promoting the school in collaboration with any teacher or group of
teachers working within the public relations domain.
2. Ethos
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
To set example and be responsible for setting high expectations of
academic performance for all pupils and staff
To set example and be responsible for discipline with the members
of the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of School, Heads of Year
and all other members of staff to promote a culture of self-discipline
and learning and achievement.
To be actively involved in the leadership of, and, the supervision of
students especially in the following areas:
 daily arrival and departure of pupils to and from school
 movement to and from Assembly
 movement between classes
 behaviour at break and lunch-time in all areas of the school
To deal with pupils who are referred by the Heads of School or
Heads of Year for disciplinary reasons.
To deal with concerns raised by staff, parents, pupils and others.
3.
Staff
3.1
To assist the Headmaster in the efficient and effective deployment
of staff and resources.
To contribute to the annual review and production of the Staff
Handbook.
To advise the Headmaster on the implications for staffing in the
light of curriculum changes.
To contribute to the construction of the school timetable using the
C2K system
3.2
3.2
3.3
Staff Development
Job Description
The Vice Principal in consultation with the Headmaster and the SLT
will take lead responsibility for effective professional development
of all teaching staff. This will involve:
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
Monitoring and reviewing the Staff Development Policy for all staff.
Further developing the school’s staff evaluation processes
Circulating information on external courses and providing
opportunities for the dissemination and retrieval of information on
external courses.
Working closely with the member of staff with responsibility for the
Induction and Early Professional Development of newly qualified
teachers and the placement of Student Teachers.
Assisting the Headmaster in the management of the PRSD
Scheme.
4.
Pupils
4.1
To ensure the pastoral care needs of pupils are addressed through
policy and practice.
To take a leading role in ensuring we have a pastoral care structure
which appropriates appropriate support and guidance for all our
pupils.
To take on the role of Designated Teacher for Child Protection.
To create and maintain an effective partnership with parents in
order to improve pupil achievement and personal development. To
contribute to the management of Parents’ Nights and play an active
role in all activities/events involving parents.
To assist the work of the Headmaster on pupil admissions.
To work closely with the Headmaster and Vice Principals on pupil
placements.
To oversee pupils’ subject choices at GCSE and A Level in liaison
with the Senior Leadership team and the Headmaster.
To complete UCAS references in conjunction with all members of
SLT and subject teachers
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
5.
Curriculum
5.1
5.2
To demonstrate a sound knowledge of current educational issues.
To develop/review the relevant learning and teaching and
assessment and marking policies in liaison with the SLT.
To contribute to the regular review of curriculum provision with the
SLT and Headmaster to ensure the needs of the pupils are
appropriately met.
To promote the integration of ICT/e learning by all departments in
liaison with ICT staff and SLT.
To contribute to the completion of the annual External Curriculum
Audit.
5.3
5.4
Job Description
5.5
6.
Teaching and Learning
6.1
To act as a critical friend to a number of subject leaders and
departments (Senior Link supporting self-evaluation, teaching and
learning and professional development).
To monitor standards and promote excellence in Teaching and
Learning throughout the school in conjunction with the Senior
Leadership Team.
To ensure the learning environment reflects the expectations of
standards of excellence and to check displays and promotion of
pupils’ work.
To teach a reduced timetable, set example of good practice and to
carry out professional duties in accordance with the Terms and
Conditions of Employment of Teachers Regulations (1987), as
amended September 1994.
To contribute to the development and monitoring of the pupil
tracking system in liaison with SLT (including intervention
strategies)
To contribute to monitoring pupil achievement and standards
providing data for evaluation of the school’s performance and to
identify areas for school improvement.
To develop and deploy a range of strategies for engaging pupils
and parents in the evaluation and review of learning and teaching
in Regent House.
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
7.
Other Duties
7.1
To carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the
Headmaster.
The Vice Principal’s duties are not restricted to 1265 hours and the carrying
out of the above duties will also involve evaluation, planning and
administration in July and August.
These duties are subject to change as required in the interest of the school
and in negotiation with the Headmaster and Board of Governors.
South Eastern Region
JOB DESCRIPTION – TEACHING POSTS
Main duties and Responsibilities
1
Planning
1.1
1.2
Planning and preparing courses and lessons;
Teaching, according to their educational needs, the pupils assigned to
him/her, including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by
the pupils in school and elsewhere;
Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and
attainment of pupils.
Job Description
1.3
2
General
2.1
Promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and
of any class or group of pupils assigned to him/her;
Providing advice and guidance to pupils on educational and social
matters and on their further education and future careers including
information about sources of more expert advice on specific questions,
making relevant records and reports;
Making records of and reports on the personal and social needs of
pupils except in instances where to do so might be regarded as
compromising a teacher’s own position;
Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils;
Communicating and co-operating with such persons or bodies outside
the school as may be approved by the employing authority and the
Board of Governors;
Participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described
above.
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
3
Assessment/Reporting
Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and
references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils except in
instances where to do so might be regarded as compromising a
teacher’s own position.
4
Staff Development/Professional Development
4.1
Participating, if required, in any scheme of staff development and
performance review;
4.2
a)
Reviewing from time to time his/her methods of teaching and
programmes of work;
b)
4.3
Advising and co-operating with the Principal and other teachers (or any
one or more of them) on the preparation and development of courses of
study, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching
and assessment and pastoral arrangements.
5
Discipline/Health and Safety
5.1
Maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with
the policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health
and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises
and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.
Participating in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for
the school or the administration or organisation of the school, including
pastoral arrangements.
5.2
Job Description
Participating in arrangements for his/her further training and
professional development as a teacher.
6
Public Examinations
Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public
examinations and in assessing pupils for the purposes of such
examinations; recording and reporting such assessments; and
participating in arrangements for pupils’ presentation for and
supervision during such examination.
7
Review and Development of Management
Activities/Administration
7.1
a)
b)
c)
7.2
a)
b)
Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional
development of other teachers, including the induction and
assessment of probationary teachers;
Co-ordinating or managing the work of other teachers;
Taking such part as may be required of him/her in the review,
development and management of activities relating to the
curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school.
Participating in administrative and organisational tasks related to
such duties as described above, including the management or
supervision of persons providing support for the teachers in the
school and the ordering and allocation of equipment and
materials.
Subject to the provisions of Article 22 of the Order, attending
assemblies;
c)
Registering the attendance of pupils and supervising pupils,
whether these duties are to be performed before, during or after school
sessions.
Job Description
8
Number of days/Hours of work
8.1
a)
A full-time teacher, other than a teacher employed in a
residential establishment, shall be available for work on 195
days in any year of which not more than 190 days should
involve teaching children in a classroom situation;
b)
A teacher, other than a teacher employed in a residential
establishment, shall be available to perform such duties at such
times and such places as may reasonably be specified by the
Principal, or where he/she is employed by a Board on terms
under which he/she is not assigned to any one school by the
Board or the Principal of any school in which he/she may for the
time being be required to work as a teacher, for 1,265 hours in
any year exclusive of time spent off school premises in preparing
and marking lessons and time spent travelling to and from the
place of work;
c)
A teacher may not be required to teach as distinct from
supervise children in a classroom situation for more than 25
hours in any week in a primary or special school and 23.5 hours
in any week in a secondary school;
Unless employed under a separate contract as a mid-day
supervisor, a teacher shall not be required to undertake mid-day
supervision.
d)
9
Staff cover
9.1
Supervising and teaching any pupils whose teacher is not available
provided that:
a)
b)
c)
In schools with an average daily enrolment greater than 222
pupils a teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be
required to provide such cover after the second day on which a
teacher is absent or otherwise not available or from the first day
if the fact that the teacher would be absent or otherwise not
available for a period exceeding 2 days was known to and
agreed by the employing authority in advance;
In schools with an average daily enrolment of 222 pupils or less
a teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be required to
provide such cover after the first day on which a teacher is
absent or otherwise not available for more than 1 day was
known to and agreed by the employing authority in advance;
In schools with a complement of 1, 2 or 3 teachers and in
nursery units in primary schools, a teacher other than a supply
teacher shall, notwithstanding heads (a) and (b), not be required
to provide such cover.
Conditions of Service
Job Description
The conditions of service for this post will be in accordance with the
Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.
QUALIFICATIONS
Person Specification
EXPERIENCE
Applicants must:
It is preferred that
applicants:
1)
Hold a teaching qualification
which meets the requirements for  Hold an Honours
recognition to teach in grant-aided
Degree (minimum 2:2)
schools in Northern Ireland and
or equivalent or higher;
be registered with the GTCNI by
 Hold or be currently
the agreed date of taking up duty;
working towards a
and
PQH, a higher degree
in education or
possess a recognised
management
qualification.
2)
Have a minimum of 8 years’
experience in a paid capacity of
teaching in a post primary school
within the last 11 years as at the
closing date for receipt of
completed applications.
Applicants who hold or have held
an equivalent post in the
education service for part of these
years will also be considered; and
Have a minimum of 5 years’
experience within the last 8 years
in a post of responsibility involving
management duties attracting a
minimum of Teaching Allowance
3 in a post primary school as at
the closing date for receipt of
completed applications; and
Have experience of leading and
managing a significant
contribution to a whole school
initiative within the last 5 years
including the current year.
3)
4)
The criteria may be enhanced.
 Have a minimum of 1
year’s experience in a
paid capacity of
teaching to GCSE level
within the last 4 years
as at the closing date
for receipt of completed
applications;
 Have a minimum of 1
year’s experience in a
paid capacity of
teaching to GCE A’
level within the last 4
years as at the closing
date for receipt of
completed applications;
 Have a minimum of 2
years’ experience in a
post of responsibility
involving management
duties attracting a
minimum of Teaching
Allowance 4 in a post
primary school as at
the closing date for
receipt of completed
applications.
 Have a minimum of 2
years’ experience as a
member of a Senior
Leadership Team or
demonstrate whole
school developmental
work at a Senior
Leadership Level.
KNOWLEDGE
The successful candidate must
demonstrate extensive knowledge of:





Person Specification
Personnel Specification

SKILLS
The successful candidate must
demonstrate highly developed:





PERSONAL
QUALITIES
Current educational
developments;
Resource allocation and
management;
Effective classroom pedagogy;
Effective data management;
Performance review and staff
development;
Developing sound professional
relationships within the school and
the local community.
Leadership skills;
Communication skills (oral and
written);
Interpersonal skills;
Motivational skills;
Organisational skills.
The successful candidate must
demonstrate:









Vision;
Enthusiasm and be highly
motivated;
Assertiveness and confidence;
A caring child-centred approach;
Integrity;
Sensitivity and discretion;
Ability to cope under pressure;
Tact and diplomacy;
Decisiveness.
Application forms and associated documents may be downloaded from the
Education Authority’s website www.eani.org.uk.
TEMPORARY TEACHER POSTS
Person Specification
Please note that the post availability indicates how long a post will be
vacant at the time of going to press and does not necessarily indicate the
commencement date of any contract. Temporary contracts may subject to
extension or may be reduced for any valid reason unless otherwise
indicated. Certain circumstances may arise where the successful
candidate will not be employed for the full period of availability e.g. Due to
incomplete pre-employment checks at the commencing availability date.
Where a post is available for a full 12 month period and due to unforeseen
circumstances it is not possible for the successful candidate to commence
their contract at the availability date stated, the period of employment will
be reduced and the teacher will be paid on the hourly rate for teachers.
Temporary teachers employed for less than a 12 month period will be paid
on the hourly rate for teachers.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
If you have been appointed for a post that involves ‘regulated activity’ under
the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Education
Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal
Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost
of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is currently £33. Details
of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment
stage.
Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on
www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.dojni.gov.uk/accessni
REFERENCES
This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being received.
One reference should be from a person who is able to comment on your
suitability to work with children/young people in an educational setting. The
Education Authority (EA) will seek references from present/previous
employers for posts involving ‘regulated activity’.
EDUCATION AUTHORITY
From 1 April 2015 the Education Authority (EA) has taken over the
functions of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
All appointment processes completed before 1 April 2015 will be unaffected
by the transfer of functions to EA. All staff who were employed by South
Eastern Education and Library Board on 31 March 2015 transferred to EA
on 1 April 2015 and are protected on their existing terms and conditions of
employment, including pension, in accordance with the Transfer of
Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006.
General Information
All ongoing appointment processes completed after 1 April 2015 will be
offered by EA as the employing authority.
All posts will continue to be offered on the basis of current terms and
conditions of employment, as advertised.
It is essential that you fully describe in the application form how you
meet the criteria sought. Please provide detailed information against
each requirement, providing dates and ensuring that where
requirements are time bounded (e.g. 1 year within the last 5 years)
you provide detail and dates that fully satisfy the requirement. It is not
appropriate to simply list the various posts that you have held.
Assumptions will not be made from the title of your post.
Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions
of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007
Canvassing will disqualify
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY HAS ADOPTED A ‘POLICY ON
SMOKING’
LATE OR FAXED APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Please complete and return your application form and Equal
Opportunities Questionnaire by post/hand delivering to the Equal
Opportunities Unit, Education Authority – South Eastern Region,
Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald, BT16 2HS no later than 2.00 pm on
the closing date for completed applications.