Professional Leadership

Leadership is a critical component of an effective school. Professional leadership requires identifying a clear sense of purpose for the school. It entails the distribution of authority and responsibility across the school by providing teachers with genuine opportunities to participate directly in decisions about curriculum, professional learning priorities, school and resource management, and other policy decisions. Professional leadership requires keeping abreast of what is happening in classrooms, including what is being taught, pedagogical approaches and student progress.  The following are the vital characteristics of professional Leadership.

·         Understanding the aims of and display competence in the area of responsibility

·         Providing professional leadership to staff within the delegated area(s) of responsibility

·         Making constructive contributions, where applicable, to the management of the school

·         Demonstrating a high level of awareness of educational developments and changes, particularly in the area(s) of responsibility

·         Undertaking appropriate professional development to enhance individual expertise in areas of management, administration and education

·         Identifying and act on opportunities for improving teaching and learning

·         Ensuring that procedures for making decisions in the area of responsibility are consistent with national guidelines and with the school’s policies

·         Ensuring that changing social and cultural factors affecting the school’s community are reflected in the policies and programmes of the delegated area(s) of responsibility

·         Fostering positive relationships between the school and all sectors of the community

·         Encouraging and fostering effective working relationships with and between others

·         Providing support and assistance to colleagues where appropriate