Active

Primary

Tue Jun 9 2026

Tue Jun 23 2026

Tue Sep 1 2026

Permanent

Special School

Vertical

Co-Educational

Catholic

34

272

Yes

Catherine McAuley School is a vibrant and progressive 34 teacher Special School with 34 full-time Special Needs Assistants. The Board of Management of Catherine McAuley Special School invites applications for the position of Deputy Principal (Administrative). This appointment will be made through open competition and in accordance with the requirements of Primary Circular 0044/2019. This is a permanent position. As our school caters for pupils up to the age of 18, this position is open to fully qualified teachers by Route1 (Primary), Route 2 (Post Primary) and Route 4 (Other), having a minimum of 5 years recognised teaching service, 2 of which must be in the Republic of Ireland in either a primary or post primary setting.

Catherine McAuley Special School School is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Diocese of Limerick. Our school community is founded on a strong Catholic ethos where every person is equally valued, and everybody belongs.

Catherine McAuley Special School caters for students assessed as having Mild or Borderline Mild General Learning Disability. A significant proportion of our pupils have a diagnosis of ASD and may present with complex physical, sensory and additional care needs.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills, knowledge, experience and competencies:

• A strong understanding of, and commitment to upholding, the Catholic Ethos and values of the school, and the ability to actively promote these values within the school community.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build, sustain, and nurture positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents/guardians, staff, Board of Management, external agencies, and the wider school community.

• Experience and knowledge of leadership, management, and administration in primary schools, including an understanding of whole-school organisation, policy development, and operational leadership

• A commitment to working collaboratively with the Senior Leadership team to develop, communicate, and implement a shared vision for high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment across the school, ensuring a consistent focus on school improvement and pupil outcomes.

• A commitment to promoting and supporting pupil and staff wellbeing, encouraging meaningful parental involvement, and the consistent implementation of positive behaviour strategies and inclusive practices, including promoting pupil voice, pupil agency, creativity, and active participation in leaning.

• Experience of engaging in School Self-Evaluation (SSE) and school development planning processes to support continuous improvement.

• An in-depth understanding of the Primary Curriculum Framework and Primary Curriculum, along with recognised post primary programmes, supported by a broad range of teaching experience, and a demonstrated capacity to lead, support, and drive curriculum development and change across the school.

• Strong organisational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands, and contribute to the efficient day-to-day running of a busy school environment.

• A strong commitment to ongoing professional development, relevant to senior leadership, allied to flexibility and adaptability in responding to the evolving needs, priorities, and challenges of the school community, with a solution-focused and proactive approach to leadership.

• A passion for and commitment to special education.

In line with the ‘Looking at our School 2022 Quality Framework’ document, specific duties across the four leadership domains include but are not limited to the following:

Ø Responsibility for the Bí Cineálta and Relate programmes,

Ø Responsibility for the School Support Team and Code of Behaviour implementation

Ø Timetables and Supervision Rosters

Ø Deputise in the absence of the principal

Ø School attendance

Ø Staff Garda Vetting

Ø School Journal

Ø Liaise with School Nurse regarding school medical related matters

Ø Parents Association

Ø SEAI Monitoring

Ø Droichead

Ø Staff (Croke Park Planning Meetings) and In-school management meetings

Ø School Newsletters

A core function of the Deputy Principal’s role is to act or deputise as the Principal in the Principal’s absence.

The minimum number of viable applications for the competition to proceed is 3. Applications to be submitted by post only no later than 3pm on the closing date and please mark the envelope "Deputy Principal Application".

Appointment will be subject, but not limited, to: Excellent References; Current and Continuing Teaching Council Registration; Full Compliance with Current Garda Vetting Requirements; Satisfactory Occupational Health Screening.