Vice Principal (Pastoral Care and Operations) - Glenlola Collegiate

Vice Principal

Pastoral Care and Operations

(Full Time Permanent from 1st September 2026)

This vacancy arises as a result of Mr Montgomery’s retirement after 30 years of exceptional service to the School.

The School

Glenlola Collegiate is a successful and dynamic grammar school for girls set in the heart of Bangor, serving all of the North Down community as well as the wider Ards and North Down area.  As a school we focus all our efforts on being child centred and we have high expectations for each and every one of the pupils in our care.

We believe that every girl has her own potential and our teachers and staff strive to help each individual to discover and develop these talents to the fullest extent.

We take immense pride in our grammar school environment which nurtures strong academic achievements and offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities tailored to meet the needs of our pupils.

We have a strong tradition of House Events which help to encourage participation across all age groups and nurture the positive values of the School.

We are proud to note that our pupils regularly outperform girls of the same ability in other schools in both GCSE and A-level examinations. This success is a result of the strong and supportive relationships which are fostered between pupils and staff and which form such an important part of the Glenlola Collegiate ethos.

Both current Vice Principals will retire on 31st August 2026, so this vacancy is one of two being advertised. The Headmaster Mr WE Thompson will remain in post for the autumn term of the 2026-27 school year in order to help the newly appointed Vice Principals establish themselves and he will then retire.

The Position

The post of Vice Principal is the second most senior position in the School after that of the Principal. The postholder will drive and shape a range of specific and whole-school areas of provision which will impact both directly and indirectly on the successful and effective running of the School. The appointee will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to contribute fully to the leadership of the staff and pupils and to school life in general.

The Board of Governors seeks to appoint a person of character, vision and leadership ability who can maintain and develop further the School’s ethos, high standards of strong academic achievement and extensive extra-curricular provision with energy and integrity.

The successful candidate will be responsible to the Principal and will be required to deputise for them when necessary.

In addition to a reduced teaching commitment (approximately 33% class contact time) and membership of the School Leadership Team, the Vice Principal’s duties are detailed below. The successful candidate will be responsible for all duties listed below:

1. 1.      Deputising for the Principal as required.
2. 2.      Leading by example in all areas of school life and work, exemplifying the values of the School.
3. 3.      Assisting the Principal in the promotion of positive behaviour and assertive discipline.  
4. 4.      Line management of Senior Teacher 1.
5. 5.      Leading/overseeing Pastoral Care.
6. 6.      Leading/overseeing SEN/Learning Support.
7. 7.      Leading/overseeing Financial Administration and Management of LMS and School Fund including budget planning and projections, allocations, monitoring spend and reconciliations.
8. 8.      Line management of the Finance Staff.
9. 9.      Leading/overseeing ICT provision.
10. 10.  Line management Head of Junior School.

20.  Staff Welfare.

Following appointment, this job description may be amended at any time after discussion with the Principal.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

In their application and at interview, the successful candidate should be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills and experience associated with the following key areas:

Shaping The Future

• Keeping abreast of and anticipate educational trends;
• Thinking strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision;
• Creating an ethos and providing direction, which promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement;
• Inspiring, challenging, motivating and empowering others to carry the vision and ethos forward;
• Modelling/exemplifying the values and ethos of the School.

Leading and Managing Staff

• Providing high quality leadership to secure improvement;
• Collaborating and networking with others within and beyond the school;
• Fostering a culture of shared/ distributed leadership;
• Developing, empowering and sustaining individuals and teams;
• Supporting the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and managing conflict effectively;
• Supporting and challenging performance in order to raise standards;

 Leading Learning and Teaching

• Cultivating enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process.
• Leading and managing the development of an effective learning and teaching culture.

Developing the School in the Community

• Leading and managing the development and promotion of a positive image of the school within the local community and beyond;
• Developing and maintaining strong and effective relationships with parents and the local and wider community;
• Ensuring effective channels of communication are in place between the school and the local and wider community;
• Listening to, reflect and act on community feedback;
• Recognising and leading others to ensure that strategic planning takes account of the richness and diversity of the school’s communities and community feedback;
• Working closely with other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance the education of all pupils.

Managing The Organisation

• Overseeing the efficient day-to-day operation of the School
• Financial Management of the School
• Prioritising, planning and organising themselves and others;
• Thinking creatively to anticipate and solve problems;
• Making sound decisions based on a range of informed judgments;
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate structures and systems;
• Leading and managing the development and implementation of the School Development Plan;
• Delegating tasks and monitor their implementation;
• Managing resources efficiently and effectively: human, physical and financial.

Ensuring Accountability

• Creating and developing a culture in which all Governors and staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school;
• Combining the outcomes of regular self-evaluation, ETI inspection evidence and other external evaluations in order to develop the school;
• Leading and managing the process of monitoring and evaluating effectively school outcomes, policies and procedures;
• Working with the leadership team and others to recognise and disseminate effective practice and challenge and address unacceptable performance;
• Working closely with and provide effective reports to Governors on the school’s progress and development.

Professional Duties Of A Vice-Principal

Teachers' Terms and Conditions of Employment Regulations (NI) 1987

Schedule 2

Regulation 4

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF VICE-PRINCIPALS 

A person appointed Vice Principal in a school, in addition to carrying out the professional duties of a teacher, shall play a major role under the overall direction of the principal in: 

(a)        formulating the aims and objectives of the school;

(b)        establishing the polices through which they will be achieved;

(c)        managing staff and resources to that end

(d)        monitoring progress towards their achievement;

(e)        undertaking any professional duties of the principal delegated to him/her by the principal

(f)         undertaking to the extent required by the principal or the relevant body or employing authority the professional duties of the principal in the event of his/her absence from the school; and

(g)        entitlement to a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12 noon and 2pm.

Professional Duties Of A Teacher

Schedule 3

Regulation 5

 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF A TEACHER

Exercise Of General Professional Duties:

1 A teacher who is not a Principal shall carry out the professional duties of a teacher as circumstances may require – 

(a)       If he/she is employed as a teacher in a school, under the reasonable direction of the Principal of that school;

(b)       If he/she is employed by the Board on terms under which he/she is not

assigned to any one school, under the reasonable direction of that board and of the Principal of any school in which he/she may for the time being be required to work as a teacher.

Exercise of particular duties 

2 (a)    A teacher employed as a teacher (other than a Principal) in a school shall perform in accordance with any directions which may be reasonably given to him/her by the Principal from time to time, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned to him/her. 

Job Description – Teaching Posts

Main duties and Responsibilities

1. Planning

1.1    Planning and preparing courses and lessons;

1.2    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;

1.3     Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.

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;

2.2     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;

2.3     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;

2.4     Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils;

2.5     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;

2.6     Participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described above. 

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)          Participating in arrangements for his/her further training and professional development as a teacher.

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.

5.2      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.

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)       Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional development of other teachers, including the induction and assessment of probationary teachers; 

            b)       Co-ordinating or managing the work of other teachers;

            c)       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. 

7.2       a)       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. 

b)       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.

8. Staff Cover

8.1                 Supervising and teaching any pupils whose teacher is not available provided that: 

a)        In schools with an average daily enrolment of 222 or less, in primary 1 and primary 2 classes in schools with an average daily enrolment greater than 222 pupils and in nursery classes in primary schools a teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be required to provide such cover:

b)         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, other than a teacher of primary 1 or primary 2 class or of a nursery class in a primary school, 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.

Job Description

Vice Principal

The successful candidate will work within the agreed Terms and Conditions of Service for Vice-Principals. 

The Vice-Principal will be required to deputise for the Principal when necessary and take an active part in all aspects of school life. 

In addition to a full-time teaching commitment and membership of the School Leadership Team, the Vice-Principal’s duties will include:

1. 1.      Deputising for the Principal as required.
2. 2.      Leading by example in all areas of school life and work, exemplifying the values of the School.
3. 3.      Assisting the Principal in the promotion of positive behaviour and assertive discipline.  
4. 4.      Line management of Senior Teacher 1.
5. 5.      Leading/overseeing Pastoral Care.
6. 6.      Leading/overseeing SEN/Learning Support.
7. 7.      Leading/overseeing Financial Administration and Management of LMS and School Fund including budget planning and projections, allocations, monitoring spend and reconciliations.
8. 8.      Line management of the Finance Staff.
9. 9.      Leading/overseeing ICT provision.
10. 10.  Line management Head of Junior School.

20.  Staff Welfare.

Undertaking such other duties as the Principal may require..

This job description may be amended at any time after discussion with the Principal.

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills associated with the following key areas. 

Shaping The Future

• Keeping abreast of and anticipate educational trends;
• Thinking strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision;
• Creating an ethos and providing direction, which promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement;
• Inspiring, challenging, motivating and empowering others to carry the vision and ethos forward;
• Modelling/exemplifying the values and ethos of the School.

Leading and Managing Staff 

• Providing high quality leadership to secure improvement;
• Collaborating and networking with others within and beyond the school;
• Fostering a culture of shared/ distributed leadership;
• Developing, empowering and sustaining individuals and teams;
• Supporting the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and managing conflict effectively;
• Supporting and challenging performance in order to raise standards;.

 Leading Learning and Teaching 

• Cultivating enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process.
• Leading and managing the development of an effective learning and teaching culture.

Developing the School in the Community 

• Leading and managing the development and promotion of a positive image of the school within the local community and beyond;
• Developing and maintaining strong and effective relationships with parents and the local and wider community;
• Ensuring effective channels of communication are in place between the school and the local and wider community;
• Listening to, reflect and act on community feedback;
• Recognising and leading others to ensure that strategic planning takes account of the richness and diversity of the school’s communities and community feedback;
• Working closely with other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance the education of all pupils.

Managing The Organisation

• Overseeing the efficient day-to-day operation of the School
• Financial Management of the School
• Prioritising, planning and organising themselves and others;
• Thinking creatively to anticipate and solve problems;
• Making sound decisions based on a range of informed judgments;
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate structures and systems;
• Leading and managing the development and implementation of the School Development Plan;
• Delegating tasks and monitor their implementation;
• Managing resources efficiently and effectively: human, physical and financial.

Ensuring Accountability

• Creating and developing a culture in which all Governors and staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school;
• Combining the outcomes of regular self-evaluation, ETI inspection evidence and other external evaluations in order to develop the school;
• Leading and managing the process of monitoring and evaluating effectively school outcomes, policies and procedures;
• Working with the leadership team and others to recognise and disseminate effective practice and challenge and address unacceptable performance;
• Working closely with and provide effective reports to Governors on the school’s progress and development.

Conditions Of Service

The conditions of service for this post will be in accordance with the Regulations of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Post Primary Vice-Principal - Person Specification 

Applicants must at the closing date for applications: 

1) Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland;

• A post with experience of strategic leadership or co-ordination of a whole school area at a minimum level of Head of Key Stage/Head of Department/SMT/SLT to include monitoring and evaluation resulting in measurable school improvement; or
• A post of Principal or Vice Principal; or
• A post with leadership and management experience within an affiliated body.

The above promoted posts may be in an acting capacity. 

From Your Experience Demonstrate:

4) Evidence of how your leadership has led to school improvement;

5) Evidence of involvement in strategic planning.

      1) Have led and delivered whole school CPD to staff

      2) Have demonstrable experience of managing a budget at departmental level or above.

• The Northern Ireland Post Primary Curriculum and current policies and procedures;
• Current educational developments and the ability to evaluate and respond to new educational challenges and manage change effectively;
• Effective classroom pedagogy and how to ensure high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school;
• Effective data management;
• Effective organisational management including the appropriate deployment of resources. 

• Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others;
• Create an ethos and articulate vision for the future of the school;
• Develop good relationships at all levels and promote a collaborative and team approach among staff, pupils, parents and governors;
• Lead strategically and develop self and others in order to achieve outcomes;
• Promote, achieve, monitor and evaluate high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school;
• Develop effective partnerships between the school and the local community;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Organise and prioritise workload effectively;
• Deal with staffing matters in accordance with EA policies and procedures;

Manage time effectively.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate:

• Vision;
• A sound value system;
• Enthusiasm and motivation;
• Assertiveness and confidence;
• A caring child centred approach;
• Integrity;
• Advocacy and empathy;
• Discretion;
• An ability to cope under pressure;
• Tact and diplomacy;
• Decisiveness;
• Adaptability.

Please note the onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information on their application forms in order to demonstrate how they meet each of the criteria.  Failure to do so may result in a candidate not being shortlisted since selection panels cannot make assumptions in the absence of essential information.

Disclosure Of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. 

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, 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.  Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

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The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer