Primary school director (Directeur basisschool)
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A primary school director is responsible for the daily management and direction of a primary school. The director of primary school is mainly concerned with organizational tasks, such as implementing the educational policy, personnel policy, financial and material policy. This also includes caring for the building and maintaining contacts with the board, parents and various bodies involved in the primary school. A primary school principal has an important role in relation to the commitment of children, parents, carers, teachers and the school board. In short, we can best describe the work of a primary school director as managing the daily activities of a primary school. A primary school director is a school leader who in most cases will have the school leader training, because otherwise you generally cannot become a director of a primary school. It is conceivable that an experienced person can become director of a primary school if he has another relevant education. This usually concerns experienced managers from outside education. A primary school director can also be seen as a special school manager. The profession of primary school director must also be seen as fairly general, because there are different levels when we speak of a director of primary school. In general, it is only possible to become a primary school director if you have the right education and work experience. Becoming a primary school director is therefore not only dependent on the level of education, because experience and knowledge are just as important. In addition, a primary school director must have the right professional competences. Depending on the type of primary school, it is conceivable that the director of primary school will also be in front of the class as a teacher.
The profession or the position of director of primary school cannot be clearly defined, because there are different types of primary schools, which can also differ greatly in size. For example, it is conceivable that a primary school director of a small primary school is also in front of the class to teach, but this does not always have to be the case. As director of primary school, you are mainly responsible for school management. School management is a broad word that doesn't just relate to staff and organization. For example, it is also the task of a primary school director to consult with parents or guardians of children about the progress of the child in question. This may also include consulting with other specialists or care providers who are involved with the child. In addition, as a primary school director, you have to deal with external supervisors, such as a compulsory education officer. It is therefore not the case that as a director of primary school you are only responsible for the operational side of the primary school.
As a director of primary school, you are also responsible for organisational issues that concern the organisation. In other words, as a primary school director, you should also be able to be regarded as a human resources employee and schedule maker, and you will be responsible for the interweaving and selection of new school employees. Conducting performance appraisals is also part of the work of the director of primary school. Other activities may include offering appropriate training for the teachers. In addition, as director of primary school you are responsible for the financial management of the primary school. In most cases, the primary school director can also be considered a case manager. A case manager is responsible for supervising sick employees. For which activities a director of primary school is exactly responsible can differ per primary school. Within the larger primary schools, there may also be several employees, who support the director of primary school.
TYPES OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Within the Netherlands there are different types of primary schools. The most well-known forms of primary schools are public primary schools and special primary schools. Public primary schools are primary schools that are open to pupils of any religion or philosophy of life. About 1/3 of all Dutch children go to a public primary school. At special primary schools, pupils are taught from a religious, philosophical or educational conviction. About 2/3 of all Dutch children go to a special primary school. Within the special schools there is a dichotomy in confessional and general special schools.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special education is for children who need extra attention and care for various reasons. Within special education, children receive extra guidance and care, which can vary per child and school. This care will generally be offered by ambulatory supervisors. Ambulatory supervisor is a general name for various care workers who specialize in guiding young people. Think, for example, of pedagogues, parenting assistants and sign language interpreters. Special education relates to children with learning or behavioural problems, children with physical disabilities, children with sensory or mental disabilities and children who need extra attention due to behavioural disorders.
TASKS OF A PRIMARY SCHOOL DIRECTOR ARE:
- A primary school director advises the board or general director
- A primary school principal formulates and implements the policy
- A primary school principal oversees staff, such as teachers
- A primary school director is responsible for the recruitment and selection of staff
- A primary school director makes decisions about pupils on the advice of specialists
- A primary school director maintains contacts with other schools and institutions
- A primary school director maintains contacts with parents and carers
- A primary school director supports teachers and other staff
- A director of primary school organises the education
- A primary school director promotes the school
- A primary school principal sets educational goals and standards
- A primary school principal draws up reports such as personnel files
- A primary school director represents the school at meetings
- A primary school director performs administrative tasks
- A primary school director conducts performance and assessment interviews
- A primary school director consults with the participation council
- A primary school director watches over the objectives
- A primary school director watches over finances
- A primary school director watches over law enforcement at school
- A primary school director oversees the maintenance of the school
PRIMARY SCHOOL DIRECTOR:
TRAINING TO BECOME DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
Anyone who aspires to a career as a director of primary school will first of all have to have teaching qualifications. After completing the Teacher Training Programme for Primary Education (PABO), it is possible to follow the School Leader Basic Competence programme and the School Leader Professional Competence programme as a future school leader. Both programmes are focused on educational leadership, change processes and yield-oriented leadership. The School Leader Professional Competence programme is generally only accessible if you have the School Leader Basic Competence programme in combination with a managerial position. This programme is sometimes called the Master's programme in Integral Leadership for School Leaders PO, VO and BVE. The position of director of primary school is generally only accessible if you have the right education, experiences and competences. The position of director of primary school does have different levels, because not all primary schools are the same size. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur. For more information, see also the Academy for School Leadership website.
COMPANIES WHERE A DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CAN BE EMPLOYED
A primary school director works as a director for an educational institution. Depending on the type of primary school, it is conceivable that the director of primary school himself also works as a teacher. This can differ per primary school, because this depends on the number of pupils at the primary school. As director of primary school, you work within the public sector within the semi-government. In other words, a primary school director can also be regarded as a civil servant.
COMPETENCES DIRECTOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
Within managerial education, one speaks of five important basic competencies, namely vision-driven working, being in relation to the environment, shaping organizational characteristics from an educational orientation, using strategies for collaboration, learning and research at all levels and higher order thinking. In addition, a primary school director must have didactic skills and general management skills. Being able to motivate and inspire employees and pupils is also important as a primary school director. In a general sense, communication can also be regarded as an important competence. This is the case because you are dealing with many different teachers, students, caregivers and external parties. Generally important words for a primary school director are networking, connecting, planning, organizing, listening, insight, knowledge, governance, energy and passion. Finally, it is also important to mention stress resistance as an important competence.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY SCHOOL
The labour market perspective as director of primary school is generally reasonable. It is not a position for which many vacancies can be found. In addition, work experience, education and competences play a major role in the position of director of primary school. Within this position, it is not uncommon for there to be multiple application rounds. The career opportunities as director of primary school must be seen in growing into a larger primary school.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OF PRIMARY SCHOOL DIRECTOR
For the terms of employment as director of primary school, see the po-raad website. The salary as director of primary school is very dependent on the number of pupils at school and the number of years of service as director. A primary school principal typically earns a salary between 3,000 and 4700 gross per month, depending on age, education and further responsibilities. The salary as a school director is highly dependent on the number of pupils and can therefore vary considerably. In addition, not all directors work full-time.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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