School Context and Background
The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School opened in September 1971 due to an amalgamation between two of the county’s oldest secondary schools: the Royal School Raphoe and the Prior Endowed School, Lifford. The Royal School was founded by the charter of King James I in 1608 as part of the Ulster Royal Schools, and the Prior School was established in 1880 by the generosity of Miss Eleanor Prior. The School has a Christian Ethos where Biblical values such as love, compassion, forgiveness and tolerance for each other underline our everyday activities inside and outside the classroom.
The School is co-educational with 612 pupils, 40 of whom are boarders. The School has been designated as having DEIS (Delivering Equality in Schools) status by the Department of Education. DEIS is a government initiative to provide additional support that promotes educational equality and inclusion in schools. All the students follow the Junior Certificate curriculum in their first three years and the Leaving Certificate Curriculum in their final two years. There is an optional Transition Year programme which, on average, involves c.60% of the year group. In total, there are 80 staff members involved in all aspects of the life of the School, from the office to the classroom to the canteen.
The School occupies a well-maintained 30-acre site on Derry Road just outside the town of Raphoe. The Royal School House, located behind St Eunan’s Cathedral in the town, is used as accommodation for the boarders.
Post Summary
This post has arisen due to Mrs Tara Cowan, one of the School’s two Deputy Principals, being appointed Principal of Monaghan Collegiate School.
The overall responsibility of the Deputy Principals is to assist the Principal in managing the School.
Besides discharging specific administrative and management duties, the Deputy Principals also exercise a leadership and motivational role in the School. Together, the Principal and Deputy Principals form the school’s senior management team and must work in unison to fulfil the School’s aims and objectives. This teamwork is also broadened to include the post holders who form part of the management team and the staff whose cooperation and commitment are vital to achieving the School’s objectives.
The Deputy Principals must deputise for the Principal in his absence in all matters.
The Deputy Principals must be willing to work in conjunction with and under the direction of the Principal.
The Deputy Principals will usually be required to attend School throughout the School Day, as well as for preparation time before pupils arrive and after School, to allow for response to issues or events that arise.
The Board of Management may also require the Deputy Principals to be present in the School for periods during the State Examinations and for other periods outside the regular opening hours and days of the School, as may be necessary occasionally.
Reporting/Accountability Relationship
The Deputy Principals shall report to the Principal and the Board of Management.
