School Leadership
2.1. Leadership standards and roles
2.2. Selection and working conditions
2.3. Leadership preparation and training
3. Teachers, parents and students
3.1. School management committees and boards
4.1. Autonomy of school leaders
4.2. Assessment and accountability of school leaders
4.3. Teacher assessment by school leaders
1. Terminology
The 1996 Education Act (as amended in 2008 and 2021) defines a ‘principal’ as ‘the person who has overall leadership and responsibility for the provision of education at a school’. In the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff, the ‘principal’ is similarly ‘responsible for the general organization and management of the school subject to the prevailing legislation’.
2. School principals
2.1. Leadership standards and roles
Competency standards and leadership frameworks and guidelines
The roles and standards for school principals are outlined in several government documents, including the 2008 Policies and Procedures Manual for Principals, 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff (developed by the Ministry of Education in consultation with the Public Service Union and Bermuda Union of Teachers, respectively), 2006 Education Rules, 1996 Education Act and 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement. The government has further developed the 21st Century National Standards for Teachers and Leaders which apply to all levels in the Bermuda public school system.
According to the 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement, school principals must abide by various rules and regulations established by the government.
Roles
Setting expectations/objectives: The school principal is responsible for establishing goals and objectives for the school in line with the goals and objectives of the Ministry of Education. This includes developing and monitoring school improvement plans and action plans; and communicating and articulating the school’s vision, mission and improvement objectives.
Developing teaching and learning: The school principal’s role in the development of teaching and learning is highlighted across several documents. According to the 2006 Education Rules, the principal is responsible for ensuring that records of student academic progress are maintained, as well as staff observation. The 1996 Education Act further states that the principal must ensure that an individual education plan for academic improvement is developed for students at risk of academic failure, with focused intervention and performance benchmarks. In the case of an identified low-performing school, the manager of the school, in consultation with the principal and teachers, is responsible for preparing and implementing a plan for improvement of the school, which should then be submitted to the Commissioner of Education for approval. The principal is further responsible for the supervision of programs in curriculum development, continuous assessment of student progress, and the keeping of assessment records, as described in the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff. The school improvement plan methodology additionally requires principals to report on student gains at three intervals in the academic year so that the Department of Education can monitor student performance and gains over time, and determine progress with key performance measures. Principals are further responsible for conducting walkthrough observations to collect data on teacher practices and student learning and are expected to monitor, coach and provide feedback to teachers to ensure active learning, engagement and rigour for students.
Promoting collaboration: One of the key responsibilities of school principals is developing and maintaining relationships with parents, businesses, other government departments and the general public in respect to promoting the activities of the school. The 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff identify the promotion of effective community and public relations as one of the key roles of the school principal. School principals are expected to take into consideration the rights and interests of parents and the educational needs of the community. According to the 2006 Education Rules, the principal is additionally responsible for ensuring that records of student academic progress are available for examination by the parents of the child.
Supporting staff development: Principals are responsible for leading and coordinating professional development for their staff throughout the school year. At the primary and lower secondary levels, professional development is aligned with the targets and objectives set out in the school improvement plan. The school improvement plan specifically requires principals to support the delivery of customized professional learning for teachers in support of the goals identified in their school’s improvement plan. This includes delivering site-based professional development in collaboration with education officers in the following areas: writing proficiency; mathematics; reading; research-based instructional strategies; and innovation.
Similarly, according to the Plan 2022: Bermuda’s Strategic Plan for Public School Education, principals are expected to support the delivery of customised professional learning in schools by cultivating meaningful and sustainable professional learning conditions, using the data from their school improvement plan (aligned with the Strategic Plan direction) as their platform. They may also arrange special workshops or seminars for their staff during the school year for purposes of staff development, supervise staff training, and prepare detailed reports on the performance of teaching staff, as outlined in the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff.
Acting in accordance with the ethical principles of the profession: School principals must abide by the 2010 Code of Practice for Educators, which aims ’lay down standards for the professional conduct and practice expected of registered educators’ in Bermuda, as stated in the 2002 Educators Council Act. The Code includes provisions on the ethical conduct towards students; the teaching profession; colleagues; as well as parents, guardians and the community.
Others: There are several additional roles identified for school principals in the 1996 Education Act, 2006 Education Rules, and 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff. These include being responsible for maintaining student attendance records; ensuring all necessary safety and emergency precautions in the school; the management of the school premises and facilities; the maintenance of good discipline within the school; and the complication, storage and retrieval of school records and documents.
2.2. Selection and working conditions
Degree requirements and prior teaching experience
School principals for middle schools and senior schools must be fully qualified teachers (as defined in the 2002 Educators Council Act), have a Master’s degree in Educational Administration or a closely related area and be registered with the Bermuda Educator’s Council. They must additionally have a minimum of ten years’ of teaching experience, with at least three years’ experience in a senior administrative position. The Department of Education must ensure that teacher promotions to the post of school principal are based on the requirements of the post, successful performance of candidates, and seniority, as stated in the 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement.
According to the 2002 Educators Council Act, all educators (including principals) are considered qualified if they hold a university degree or equivalent qualification granted by an institution recognised by the Council; and have completed a course of initial training for teachers in schools at an institution recognised by the Council.
Additionally, according to the 1996 Education Act, in the case of maintained schools, the principal shall be an ex officio member of the board of governors of that school.
The 2021 Bermuda Public School System Education Reform aims to ensure the qualifications, experiences and competencies required for school principals meet international standards.
Appointment decision
School principals are appointed by the Public Service Commission, subject to the Public Service Commission Regulations, as described in the 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement and 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff. According to the 1996 Education Act, the Board of Education makes recommendations to the Public Service Commission regarding the appointment of principals. The board of governors at the school level can also make recommendations in respect of the appointment of principals at the school. School principals are appointed through open competitions, based on their application to public post advertisements published by the government.
Employment equity measures
According to the 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement, the government must adhere to the 1981 Human Rights Act and not discriminate against a school principal with regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, color, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, political opinion or age.
The Public Service Union is further required to appoint all persons eligible for school principal membership and to represent all members without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, color, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, political opinion or age.
Working conditions
School principals are public officers, employed by the Public Service Commission on permanent contracts (in the case of Bermudian principals) in accordance with the Public Service Commission Regulations, 2000 Employment Act, 2008 Policies and Procedures Manual for Principals and Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement. Non-Bermudian principals are employed on contracts.
The salaries of school principals are based on standardized scales and rates, following collective bargaining agreements, as set out in the 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement. In 2021, their annual salary ranged from $59,783.54 to $59,783.54 at the lower level and $135,373.05 to $135,373.05 at the highest level. Principals are also entitled to several allowances, including a baggage and medical allowance for principals recruited from overseas, a long service award (after 15 years of service), and a telephone allowance to principals whose names and numbers are published in the Bermuda Telephone Directory. According to the 1996 Education Act, if any school exceeds its expected level of growth, any or all of the principals and teachers of that school are additionally eligible for financial awards in amounts, and in accordance with guidelines, established by the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Board. The Commissioner of Education develops pay scales and an incentive plan for principals and teachers.
The Bermuda Public Service Union is the only recognised bargaining agent for school principals for the purposes of collective bargaining with respect to salaries, method of payment, leave, sick benefits and other conditions of employment. There is also the ‘Association of School Principals’, which officially represents the interests of all school principals in Bermuda.
2.3. Leadership preparation and training
Pre-service training
The government has developed a model for Principal Certification in partnership with the Bermuda College. Since 2020, there has been a Graduate Certificate Program in Educational Leadership, where with a few additional courses, students can also earn a Master’s in Educational Leadership. This can be used for both pre-service and in-service training but is not a requirement.
Induction and in-service training
he 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement states that it is the government’s responsibility to provide adequate in-house and external training to improve the efficiency and proficiency of school principals. The government is additionally responsible for providing training to school principals if any technological change alters the tasks and/or skills required of any school principal post. The Ministry of Education provides school principals with training in various areas, including the preparation and management of school budgets and recruitment techniques. Training should be held for at least one full day per term. According to the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff, all principals and teachers have paid time off during the school year to attend courses and seminars arranged by the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Association of School Principals, for purposes of general staff development (known as staff training days).
The Plan 2022: Bermuda’s Strategic Plan for Public School Education has several objectives related to the professional development of school principals. By 2022, the Department of Education aims to train and certify 90% of principals in school leadership, with 40% having completed advanced training through specialised fellowship programs/institutes. Similar goals are set out in the 2021 Bermuda Public School System Education Reform, which aims to develop professional courses for school principals that will be required every two years.
Ongoing professional development is provided for school principals each month by the Standards-Based Grading Standing Committee to support their work in areas such as school improvement, teacher performance evaluations, standards-based grading. Principals and deputy principals also participate in workshops facilitated by the Assistant Directors Educational Standards and Accountability.
3. Teachers, parents and students
3.1. School management committees and boards
The 1996 Education Act (as amended in 2008 and 2021) provides for the establishment of a board of governors in government maintained and aided schools at the secondary school level and a parent council for primary schools. The functions and membership of parent councils are additionally regulated by the 2015 Education (Parent Council) Rules.
The functions of a board of governors are to advise the Minister on policy matters in respect of the school; to manage and administer the financial affairs of the school; to manage and administer the maintenance of the school premises; to consider and make recommendations in respect of the appointment of all teachers (including the principal) at the school; and to employ staff, other than public officers, as it considers necessary for the purpose of discharging its function. The board of governors must consist of 9-13 members appointed by the Minister, including the principal and a parent.
A parent council must have a minimum of five members, including a parent of a child who is enrolled at the school; two other parents of children who are enrolled at the school; a teacher or counsellor of the school; and a person who does not have a child enrolled at the school. The principal is an ex officio member of the parent council but has no vote. Functions include making representations to the principal on the draft school budget; making representations to the principal on the school’s policy for promoting improved student achievement; making representations to the principal on the draft improvement plan for the school; making representations to the principal regarding a community involvement policy for the school; making representations to the Commissioner of Education as to the desired qualities and competencies of a principal to be appointed to the school; and monitoring the implementation of the improvement plan for the school.
3.2. Middle leaders
The 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff provides for the conditions of service of deputy principals.
3.3. Parents
The Ministry and Department of Education encourage all parents and guardians to participate actively in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), that plays a key role in advocating for students to schools. The general objectives of the PTA are to encourage further communication and cooperation between home and school; to acquaint and provide members with an opportunity to discuss the programs of the school; to consider matters of concern to the principal, members of the staff, students, parents, and members of the Association; to raise funds for special school programs and projects and; to promote, encourage and support efforts to maintain and further the education and well-being of the students. The 2004 Education (School Support) Rules include several provisions related to parental support for schools, with parents expected to attend at least one parent-teacher conference each academic year; attend at least one parent-teacher association meeting each academic year, or participate in a school support programme to be determined by the principal.
The Parental Involvement Committee was further established as the first statutory parent advisory body for the Bermuda Public School System.
3.4. Students
In Plan 2022: Bermuda’s Strategic Plan for Public School Education, the government highlights that all students have the right to be valued, respected, and heard by having a voice and choice in their learning. There is no specific provision for the establishment of student councils in laws or policies.
4. Governance
4.1. Autonomy of school leaders
The school principal participates in the development of the school curriculum, ensuring the implementation of the national curriculum. According to the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff, the Commissioner of Education may give directions to principals regarding the course of instruction and syllabus.
The appointment and dismissal of teachers and principals are under the control and supervision of the Minister of Education and Commissioner of Education, as stated in the 1996 Education Act. The board of governors may make recommendations in respect of the appointment of all teachers (including the principal) at the school. The principal may also submit recommendations for the appointment of deputy principals and teachers, as described in the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff.
Otherwise, according to the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff, in special cases, there are exceptions. For particular schools, all the applications shall be considered by the principal. Also, when its necessary to recruit from overseas, because of a shortfall in qualified Bermudian applicants for teaching posts, school principals identify those vacancies that need to be filled, draw up their shortlists of candidates, interview them, and make appropriate recommendations via the Senior Manager-Human Resources to the Permanent Secretary.
The school principal manages and controls the school’s budget, including the preparation of the annual expenditure estimates according to the established principles for submission to the Ministry of Education or the Chairperson of the school’s Board of Governors. The principal must ensure that school funds are administered in accordance with the government’s financial instructions.
4.2. Assessment and accountability of school leaders
The 1996 Education Act aims to make principals accountable for the educational growth of students in their schools. Principals are evaluated by the Commissioner of Education (supervisor of the Department of Education), as described in the 2006 Policy and Procedures Manual for Teaching Staff. The 2017-20 Bermuda Public Service Union School Principal Agreement additionally states that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Public Service Union, is responsible for reviewing the job evaluation of school principals in alignment with their job description.
The Assistant Directors of the Department of Educational Standards and Accountability (ESA) are specifically responsible for conducting principal evaluations using the McRel Principal Evaluation Tool. They provide feedback to principals using a standardized form, with monthly monitoring checks conducted to ensure the action items are progressing according to what is outlined in the school improvement plan.
The Commissioner of Education, according to the 2008 amended Education Act, also creates methods and protocols for the sharing of best practices among boards of governors, principals and teachers.
Government strategies such as the 2021 Bermuda Public School System Education Reform and Plan 2022: Bermuda’s Strategic Plan for Public School Education aim for principals to perform at the advanced levels based on their respective performance evaluation tools.
4.3. Teacher assessment by school leaders
School principals are explicitly responsible for the development and evaluation of teachers in their schools.
