Head teacher facts for kids
A principal (also called a headmaster or head teacher in some places) is the most important person in charge of a school. Think of them as the captain of a ship, but for a school! They are responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly, from learning in classrooms to activities outside. In many English-speaking countries, this leader is called a principal.
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What a Principal Does
School principals are like guides for learning and managers for their schools. Their main goal is to lead everyone in the school – students, teachers, and staff – to create a safe and peaceful place. This environment helps everyone learn and grow as much as possible.
Principals manage the daily activities of the school. They make important decisions and are responsible for helping the school be the best it can be. This means helping students achieve great things, teachers improve their skills, and all staff have a good place to work.
The Principal's Role
While some principals might still teach a class or two, in most larger schools, their main jobs are about managing and caring for the school community. They often help with student discipline when someone misbehaves. They also help organize school events and activities. All the teachers report to the principal.
In places like Australia, a head teacher might be in charge of a specific subject department, like English or Science. They still teach, but they also help manage their department. This role can be a step towards becoming a principal.
Helping Hands: Assistant Principals
In bigger schools, the principal usually has help from one or more "assistant principals" or "deputy principals." These assistants help the principal manage the school.
Assistant principals often handle specific tasks. For example, one might deal with student behavior, another might focus on the school's curriculum (what students learn), and another might help with student clubs or activities. The principal, however, is ultimately responsible for the entire school, including all teachers, staff, and the school buildings.
Principals Around the World
Australia and New Zealand
In many schools in Australia and New Zealand, a principal is the main leader of the school. They are chosen for their job by a school board or another group. The principal, often with the school board, makes big decisions about how the school is run. They also have the power to hire and, in some cases, dismiss teachers. The principal is often the main person who handles student discipline.
How Principals Help Students
People have always talked about how important school principals are. Recent studies in the United States have looked at how student learning changes when a new principal takes over. This research shows that principals have a very big impact on how well students do in school.
Good principals can significantly improve how all students perform. They do this partly by helping to choose and keep excellent teachers. On the other hand, principals who are not effective can have a large negative effect on how the school performs. This shows that evaluating principals is just as important as evaluating teachers. Some principals have also worked hard to create schools where all students, including those with disabilities, feel welcome and included.
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