Leadership Support
NAPD provides support and assistance to newly appointed Principals and Deputy Principals through a carefully selected network of recently retired Principals, Deputy Principals, current Principals and Deputy Principals.NAPD Region 5 Leadership Facilitator & Personnel
The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) at second level, and the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) offer a range of supports for newcomers. They also offer ongoing assistance to those in the job.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, has welcomed the establishment of the Centre for School Leadership (CSL).
It is being established for an initial pilot period of three years, with an investment of almost €3m over that time. It will be operated on a partnership basis between the Department of Education and Skills, the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).
The CSL is intended to become a centre of excellence for school leaders, and the partnership will have many benefits for the profession in terms of the quality of training programmes, coordination of provision, and increased accessibility.
The Centre will be headed by a Director who will be an experienced school principal. He or she will be supported by two other experienced school leaders, one each from the primary and post-primary sectors. The team will be recruited in the coming weeks.
The Centre’s responsibilities will cover the range of leadership development for school leaders, from pre-appointment training and induction of newly appointed principals, to continuing professional development throughout careers.
Minister O’Sullivan said: “The quality of school leadership is central to setting direction in a school and achieving the best education outcomes for students.
