The primary task of the Principal is to facilitate an enabling environment which encourages integrated teams, as part of a cohesive staff. Principals will guide the Governing Body in accordance with a shared strategic vision, make provision for student opinion through the RCL and ensure that all school operations comply with legislative requirements. This requires an ability to formulate strategy, communicate effectively with all stakeholders, motivate the entire staff and inspire the student body. The principal measures school performance through a range of reports and uses these indices to work towards continuous improvement, as outlined in strategic objectives. Many principals need assistance with distancing themselves from the coalface and focussing on the tasks of leadership.

Deputies are responsible for implementation of the projects as formulated by the Governing Body and educators. They design systems in accordance with operating requirements and manage procedures, making inputs wherever required. Deputies work with the 'nuts and bolts' of the system and offer essential guidance to the Principal and SMT, on the efficacy of operations. Deputies may specialise in their functions (eg. focus on administration and finance) and may have legal responsibility for some decisions, along with the Principal. At a time when a growing number of young principals are appointed with little management experience, effective Deputies are essential for succession planning.

Head of Department (H.O.D.'s) handle ground level operations and spend most of their time teaching and managing various administrative matters (eg. rosters, textbook distribution). They are primarily implementers and ensure that the teams within the school are aligned to departmental and institutional objectives. The scope of their responsibility is usually on a curricular, administrative, or student/parent-facing area. H.O.D'.s are frontline managers and may escalate matters to Deputies or the Principal, in accordance with school policy. Time management is major challenge for all educators and especially for H.O.D.'s, who bear both teaching, staff leadership and management responsibility.

Which programmes can we design for your school. Usually, training and facilitation is organised through the education department, through a circuit team's office. Suggest a sponsor whom we may approach, if you wish to hold an independent workshop. We will offer them free advertising on this website, in accordance with their level of sponsorship.