Responsibilities of a Principal

Last updated: 15th February 2023

Subject to accountability to the Board of Management the day to day Management of the school is the professional responsibility of the Principal with the support of the Deputy Principal, middle management and staff. This responsibility includes:

  • Formulation of school policy for consideration by the Board

  • The curriculum

  • Student enrolment

  • The Care and Management of Students

  • Human Resource Management

  • Financial administration

  • Maintenance of school property and equipment

The responsibilities of a Principal are detailed in the Deed of Trust for Community Schools, the Articles of Management for Comprehensive Schools as endorsed in 2008, in the Education Act, 1998, the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 and other relevant legislation and include an obligation to carry out those duties delegated to her/him by the Board of Management.

The responsibilities of a Principal range over every facet of the operation of the school, and Principals require a high level of leadership, management and administrative skills and abilities in the area of human relationships to enable them to carry out their remit effectively.

Above all else, there is a responsibility on a Principal to create an environment where teaching and learning can flourish and where students and school personnel are encouraged to reach their full potential. This can only be achieved through the co-operation of all the partners in the school and through the effective delegation of responsibility from the Board of Management to the Principal and from the Principal to school personnel and to the students where possible.

Effective delegation requires that the person delegating has an obligation to ensure that the person to whom a duty is delegated understands fully the undertaking being assumed, and is capable of discharging the duties. Regular checks should be made to ensure that the duties are being properly discharged. The person delegating retains responsibility for the tasks delegated and the Board retains ultimate responsibility for all tasks delegated.