Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programmes to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and use, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardise curricula and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
• Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
• Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
• Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, policies, and student behavioral or learning problems.
• Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
• Create school improvement plans by using student performance data.
• Set educational standards and goals, and help establish policies and procedures to carry them out.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Primary School Principals must:

• Be qualified primary school teachers.
• In general have at least five years of teaching experience (except in primary schools of fewer than 80 pupils).

There is no formal requirement for leadership training, but many applicants have related diplomas (e.g. management, administration, education) and many complete non-accredited courses for school leaders.

To qualify for appointment as a Post Primary School Principal you must have:

• A recognised post-primary teaching qualification
• A minimum of 5 years satisfactory teaching experience
• TCI Registration in accordance with Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act 2001

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €70k - €108k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, allowances, and role.

Data Source(s):
Public Sector Pay Scales/ Forsa/ Gov.ie

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Senior professionals of educational establishments; Education advisers and school inspectors; Teaching, special needs, and other educational professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong employment growth in the five-year period for this occupation (which includes special needs teachers, nursery managers/owners and school principals), employment levels fell slightly since 2021.

Budget 2023 announced that by the end of 2023 there will be 686 additional posts for special education teachers. This occupation has a high share of persons employed aged 55 years and over which may see increased replacement demand in future years.

• Department of Education and Skills

  • Marlborough St, Dublin 1
  • (01) 889 6400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• NAPD National Association for Principals & Deputys

  • 1, Wentworth, 11 Eblana Villas, Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2
  • (01) 662 7025
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here