VICE PRINCIPAL PASTORAL
APPLICATION PACK
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY 31 JANUARY AT 12 NOON
METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST
The Board of Governors of Methodist College Belfast invites applications for the post of Vice Principal Pastoral. This becomes available from 1st September 2025 following the retirement of the current Vice Principal Pastoral.
Methodist College Belfast was founded in 1865 and is one of Northern Ireland’s leading voluntary grammar schools attended by over 2000 pupils aged between 3-19 years. The College is a group 8 school and is co-educational and nondenominational with secondary and preparatory departments. The school has an outstanding academic reputation and offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities with an impressive record of achievement in music, sport and drama. Particulars of the College can be found on the College’s website.
This position offers the opportunity for the successful candidate to be a part of the senior leadership team of this leading school and to play a key role in its future success.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the position please complete the application form and monitoring form that are available on our website.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31 January at noon. The completed application form should be emailed to: hingram677@c2ken.net and the monitoring form should be submitted online.
COLLEGE AIMS AND VALUES
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
COLLEGE BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Methodist College, or Methody as it is popularly and affectionately known, is one of Northern Ireland’s leading grammar schools. It was founded in 1865 and opened in 1868 by the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland as a “Public School for Boarders and Day Pupils, irrespective of their denominations.”
Situated on the south side of the City opposite Queen’s University, the College comprises a grammar school of up to 1850 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 and a Preparatory Department, with pre-school and wraparound care, currently catering for a further 185 pupils aged between 3 and 11 years.
Methody is a selective school, with an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and a strong record of academic achievement in public examinations with our percentage of A* - C grades consistently exceeding the Northern Ireland and UK averages. The report on the College’s Examination Results can be viewed online. We also have an impressive record of achievement in music, drama, sport and many other extracurricular activities. This allows our pupils to express themselves and develop their talents wherever their interests lie. In all our activities the school seeks to prepare our pupils to be able to lead a meaningful and purposeful life.
The College receives an annual budget from the Department of Education which in the current financial year is £10.7 million. As a Voluntary Grammar School, the College is permitted to charge a Capital Fee of £140 per year per pupil which enables the College to fund a percentage of any capital projects. The College also asks parents to make a voluntary contribution in part or in total of £590 per year. This money helps support the College’s Curricular, Co-curricular, Extra-curricular and Games provision. The current School Development Plan which details the College’s priorities for the next three years is on the school website.
Academic work is the core of the daily life of the school and the College offers a diverse range of subjects that provide opportunities for our pupils to maximise their potential. The teachers work closely with our pupils, encouraging them to formulate and express their ideas, use their knowledge, and develop the skills and confidence to learn for themselves. Further information on the curriculum offered, extra-curricular opportunities and the life of the College is available on the College website and in the online Prospectus.
At Methody, the development of intellectual curiosity, critical debate, active and independent learning, and the pursuit of excellence are all valued. We believe that the experience of learning should be exciting, exacting, enriching and ennobling; developing the confidence and the character of every pupil so that they can make a positive difference in the world.
SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS
The Board of Governors of Methodist College wish to appoint a Pastoral Vice Principal from 1 September 2025. The successful candidate will have substantial experience of educational leadership as well as the knowledge, skills and understanding required for the post.
An Appointments Panel made up of the Principal and members of the Board of Governors, will oversee the Selection and Appointment process, which will include:
1. Completion of the College Application Form by candidates.
2. Shortlisting of candidates.
3. First Round interview and task(s) for shortlisted candidates.
4. Second Round interview and task(s) for selected candidates.
All interviews are held in person and days and times cannot be changed.
APPLICATION FORMS
Completed application forms must be received by the College no later than 12 noon on Friday 31 January 2025. Any applications received after this date and time will not be accepted. Applications must be signed. Digital signatures are acceptable. A Curriculum Vitae should not be included. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their application is received on time and the application form is completed accurately, as the information provided will be used in the shortlisting process. Completed application forms should be emailed to hingram677@c2ken.net . All applications will be acknowledged.
You must use headings, numbering and bullet points. You must use font size 12 and complete no more than 2 A4 pages.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS
Completed applications received by the closing date will be assessed against the Essential and Desirable criteria set out in the Person Specification section. The Appointments Panel will determine those candidates who meet the criteria and are shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email on 3 February. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified in writing by email by 5 February.
FIRST ROUND
The first round interviews will take place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 February and will involve an interview and task(s).
SECOND ROUND
The Second Round will take place on Friday 28 February and will involve an interview and task(s).
KEY DATES
Friday 31 January at 12 noon
Monday 3 February
Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 February
Friday 21 February
Friday 28 February
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT
Closing date for receipt of completed applications
Shortlisted candidates advised of interview date and time
First Interview and task(s) for shortlisted candidates
Candidates shortlisted for second round will be advised
Second Round interview and task(s) for selected candidates
The successful candidate for this post will be notified by the Principal by Monday 3 March followed by a formal written offer.
Before the successful candidate can be confirmed in the appointment they will be required to:
1. Agree to their records being checked with the Department of Education for Northern Ireland and a Criminal Records Check being carried out by Access NI, it being a condition of the appointment that the applicant should have a record acceptable to the Board of Governors of the College.
2. Accept the right of the College to contact any or all previous employers for references. It is a condition of appointment that such references should be acceptable to the Principal of the College.
3. Accept the right of the College to appoint an independent company to conduct a review of their social media accounts.
CANVASSING AND FALSE INFORMATION
Canvassing by any candidate, either directly or indirectly, will result in disqualification from the process.
Candidates who knowingly provide false information on their application form will be disqualified from the process. If this is discovered after the successful candidate has been appointed, they will be dismissed from their post.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE TO: THE PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE
This post is a key one within the College and the successful applicant will be expected to provide excellent leadership and to make a significant contribution to the efficient and effective running of the College. This post involves responsibility for a wide range of activities and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team the appointee will be expected to contribute fully to the formulation and implementation of school strategies and policies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES ARE TO:
• Lead and manage sensitively, efficiently, and effectively the Pastoral Care System within the College.
• Lead and manage the promotion of Positive Behaviour, including the production and implementation of associated policies.
• Set and monitor pupil standards including attendance, uniform, discipline etc. and support staff in responding appropriately to any such issue.
• Lead the promotion and delivery of pupil health and well-being and personal development in the College. This includes having an overview of the operation of the School Medical Room.
• Lead the Form System within the College ensuring that it functions efficiently and effectively. This will include arranging and chairing meetings with Heads of Junior, Middle and Senior School and Form Teams.
• Line manage the relevant members of staff to ensure the effective:
◊ Running of the prefect system including the Senior Prefect Team.
◊ Management of the Sixth Form Centre.
• Ensure the provision of leadership development opportunities for pupils.
• Liaise with the Head of Estates with regard to the development and implementation of emergency evacuation drills and procedures.
• Attend and present at the Board of Governors’ Education Committee, Safeguarding and Chaplaincy meetings.
• Oversee events linked to roles and responsibilities including whole school induction events and memorial services.
• Lead the Admissions Process.
• Attend SBALC meetings.
• Provide teaching recruitment support.
• Oversee:
◊ The Form and Pastoral structure.
◊ The development, implementation and communication throughout the College of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. This includes being Deputy Designated Teacher for Child Protection.
◊ The Learning Support Department to ensure that all statutory requirements are met in the area of Special Educational Needs within the school, and that the College adopts best practice in this area.
◊ The promotion and representation of Pupil Voice through the management and development of the Form and School Councils and the Sixth Form Forum.
◊ The Sixth Form Centre.
◊ Moneybox.
◊ Lost Property.
◊ Chaplaincy.
◊ Pupil Routines.
◊ SLT members as directed by the Principal.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
• Manage staff and resources efficiently and effectively and taking any corrective action as required.
• Liaise with parents and the wider community as appropriate or as directed by the Principal.
• Oversee the organisation of school functions in conjunction with other staff.
• Participate in the Senior Leadership Team.
• Review and implement school policies.
• Ensure effective communication throughout the school.
• Deputise for the Principal as required.
• Be committed to his/her own continuing professional growth and development.
• Attend extra-curricular activities including Saturday sport.
• Any other duties as required by the Principal within the successful applicant’s competence.
The Principal and Board of Governors of the College reserve the right to review and amend the duties and responsibilities of this post in consultation with the post holder.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants must have by 1 September 2025:
SECTION A ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Professional Qualifications
1. An Honours Degree 2:2 or higher.
2. Recognition as a qualified teacher by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland.
3. Registration with the General Teaching Council in Northern Ireland or be eligible to register with the GTCNI.
Relevant Experience and Knowledge
4. A minimum of 8 years’ recent teaching experience in the post-primary sector and/or equivalent experience in an affiliated educational body in a paid capacity within the last 10 years.
5. Held a post(s) for a minimum of 3 years within the last 5 years in a school at either middle or senior leadership level with this post having not less than 4 teaching allowances or at an equivalent level, judged by salary, within an affiliated educational body.
6. Knowledge of educational developments and whole school issues.
Personal Qualities and Skills
7. The ability to lead, develop and deliver the pastoral care for pupils.
8. The ability to create and maintain working relationships.
9. Good communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and organisations.
10. Commitment to the College’s aims and ethos and to their promotion in the wider community.
11. The ability to work within a high-level team on issues which are challenging and strategic.
12. The skills to prioritise, work well under pressure and achieve challenging personal and professional standards and goals.
13. The ability to provide a role model for pupils and staff.
14. Good leadership and interpersonal skills.
15. Sensitivity, integrity and discretion.
16. Flexibility in dealing with a wide range of issues and people to achieve the College’s aims.
17. Progressive and ambitious to secure school success.
SECTION B DESIRABLE CRITERIA
1. An Honours Degree 2:1 or higher.
2. Held a post as a Senior Leader as a member of the Senior Leadership Team in a post-primary school in a paid capacity for at least 2 years within the last 5 years.
3. Leadership or involvement in any of the following areas:
• Promotion of positive behaviour.
• Pastoral development.
• Special Education Needs.
• Admissions.
• Preventative Education.
• Attendance
4. Completed an additional and relevant professional qualification such as the National Professional Qualification for Headship or any other relevant qualification.
5. Held a post within a post-primary school as Vice Principal for at least 1 year within the last 3 years.
IMPORTANT NOTE
To enable the Board of Governors to apply the shortlisting criteria i.e. essential criteria 1 – 17 and desirable criteria 1 – 5 applicants must ensure that all relevant information is included on the completed Application Form. The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance any or all of the essential and desirable criteria; and/or apply any or all of the desirable criteria in any order; and/or not to make an appointment.
In considering desirable criteria 2, 3 and 5 experience for a period or periods of up to a maximum of five years will be taken into account.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The terms of employment offered for the Vice Principal Pastoral of the College are as follows:
1. The successful candidate’s remuneration will be at the appropriate level determined by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. The Vice Principal Pastoral will be placed on the pay spine for the Leadership Group at the appropriate level for a Group 8 category school which is from point L22 to L26. The current salary range is from £78,527 to £86,504.
2. The successful candidate is required to become a contributory member of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme. Reciprocal arrangements exist for aggregating service and pension rights under that scheme and corresponding schemes in Great Britain and certain other countries.