School Principals: Leave Entitlements?

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irishlinks

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Our local National School principal has taken this week off and gone on holiday.

It's only 3 days - because of the Bank Holiday and the school is closed for the election (another sore point). With the long school holidays not far off - I can't understand how they would be allowed to take extra holiday.

It is only a 2 teacher school - so a replacement teacher is in. Does anyone know if this is normal practice.

I had a look on the INTO website - and there is nothing I can see about extra holiday entitlement for Principals.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

If she attends a course during the summer holidays for a few days she can reclaim the days during the school term maybe that is what she is doing. Great Job!!!
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

I think I recall hearing that they can take up to 3 personal days (for things like funerals, weddings etc). But I'm sure some would see them as an entitlement & use them as holidays.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

There is also the entitlement to 'force majeure' days, 5 per annum I think.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Its a great job also when you have to listen to the rantings and ravings of parents who come in every other day with willy, nilly complaints. I can't believe how things have changed since my children were going to school, not too long ago. To think we'd approach the teacher over something stupid, not in our wildest dreams. Now its just incredible what some parents crib about. Teaching is a different job to what it used to be.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

I agree with Ash22, I would hate the job of Principal. Generally they work hard to keep the wheels of education turning.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

I also think there may be a good reason why the principal is off.. "gone on holidays" could be an excuse given instead of discussing a private matter?
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Welfarite said:
So you never knew about teacher's long holidays before reading this thread then?!?
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I didn't realise teachers could go on additional holidays during the school year too...

As it happens I really am changing career and will be starting the HDip in September - if you can't beat 'em join 'em!!
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

If it's a 2-teacher school then it's most likely that the principal also teaches. Being principal is no small job, there are huge responsibilities involved. As such, teaching principals are allowed a number of days covered by a substitute each year, in which to carry out duties associated with the principals role. I don't know how many days are allowed, but I covered for someone once who was away from the school for this reason.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Strange isn't it, that the average Principal's job receives less than 4 applications from qualified teachers? Those on the inside must realise that the job isn't quite as cushy as it appears!
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

chrisboy said:
Never too late.. You can actually do an online hibernia course, qualify as a teacher and work your way up to principal!
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ah but first you have to apply and get accepted and complete 18months of a course.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Mel said:
If it's a 2-teacher school then it's most likely that the principal also teaches. Being principal is no small job, there are huge responsibilities involved. As such, teaching principals are allowed a number of days covered by a substitute each year, in which to carry out duties associated with the principals role. I don't know how many days are allowed, but I covered for someone once who was away from the school for this reason.
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He's gone abroad with one of his children - it is not school related or a funeral etc.
I know it is a hard job - but they get good holidays too. I was just shocked that he could take extra ones in term time.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

irishlinks said:
He's gone abroad with one of his children - it is not school related or a funeral etc.
I know it is a hard job - but they get good holidays too. I was just shocked that he could take extra ones in term time.
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I don't think that you have the right to be prying so much into somebody's else's affairs. Would you like it if somebody was looking so clsoely at your private life? Accept that there may be very valid reasons why he has gone on holiday. As posters here point out, it's not a bed of roses. Perhaps he is suffering frofm stress and was advised to take time off? Perhaps he is owed time for painting/decorating/ out of hours works? TBH, I find your 'shock' a little bit hard to understand.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

surprised maybe ?
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Honestly, I'm neither a teacher nor a principal but I can tell you that it is rare to find a principal who can simply down tools for two months over summer as soon as the kids are out the door and walk away from the school. Generally the summer is when mundane things get sorted out, things that can't be done during the school year. Maintenance, paperwork and preparation for incoming classes, there is no shortage of things that need to be done and can only be done out of term. They may not be required to be there for a full day every day but you'll appreciate that their busiest times are likely just after the school year is finished and before the next begins. It is generally even worse at second level since the schools tend to be larger and there are additional tasks that need to be done (timetabling, exams, managing preference choices for students, etc). I think it is deeply unfair that there is a deep-rooted impression in this country that there is a long holiday to enjoy - for principals in particular it is not so. The job attracts few applicants because it is hard work and a heavy responsibility.
 
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Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

The Principal in question is only off with DES sanction.

All absences have to accounted for and the online system which does it is very accurate.

To answer the OP's original question ... no National School Principals do not get extra holidays (as one I can answer that with 100% accuracy).

There are other forms of leave available to all teachers and the Principal in question will have to explain his absence to the online system using one of them.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

sam h said:
I think I recall hearing that they can take up to 3 personal days (for things like funerals, weddings etc). But I'm sure some would see them as an entitlement & use them as holidays.
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How sure is sure?
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Usually when I pass my local primary school the teacher is still there, and this is anytime up to 2 hours after they close in the evening.
 
Re: Do National School Principals get extra Holidays

Ash 22 said:
Usually when I pass my local primary school the teacher is still there, and this is anytime up to 2 hours after they close in the evening.
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When our daughter was getting into her primary school, we had calls from the principal on school business between 9pm and 10pm at night.
 
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