Recruiting an acting principal | GovHub Resource Centre

When a principal takes annual leave, they are usually covered by their deputy, or they take it at a time when the school is closed.

A principal may sometimes need a longer leave of absence, such as for parental leave, long-term leave, or to study for a sabbatical.

However, a school always needs a principal.

So, if your principal will be absent for some time, an acting principal will need to be appointed to ensure continuity of leadership in the school.

There are two options available to do this, and both require the use of fixed-term employment agreements.

You can learn more about fixed-term employment agreements and contact us for advice and support at any stage.

Option 1 – Appoint a current employee

This would usually be a deputy or assistant principal with references to “acting up” in their current job description. There should also be school policy and procedure relating to this.

(Acting up means an employee is directed or is held accountable to perform, and does perform, substantially all of the responsibilities of a higher position.)

This employee remains employed on their respective teaching collective agreement but is released from their normal day-to-day duties so they can perform the duties of the principal.

They are paid an allowance (refer to the relevant teaching collective agreement) for this work.

When the principal returns from their leave, they will return to their previous position and duties.

This arrangement needs to be documented. You can use the letter templates in the reference section of this article.

Option 2 – Appoint an external person to be the interim principal

Your board will need to advertise the acting principal vacancy and undertake a recruitment process.

This includes shortlisting, interviewing, and safety checking to identify an appropriate candidate, or your board may already know of a principal who is available and willing.

They are appointed for a fixed term while the principal is on leave.

The external hire will be employed under the applicable principal’s collective agreement.

When the principal returns from their leave, the acting principal role ends.

This arrangement needs to be documented, just like any other employment at your school.

You can use the letter templates in the reference section of this article.

If the employee is not a member of a union, you may need to provide them with some further information. This is set out in our article on offering employment in a unionised environment.

Emergency Staffing Scheme (ESS)

On behalf of the Ministry of Education, we provide last-resort help for the boards of state and state-integrated schools that are unable to attract a relieving principal.

For more information on qualifying criteria and making an application, head to our Emergency Staffing Scheme (ESS) websiteopen_in_new.

Templates, resources, and references     

Click on the link(s) below to access the templates, resources, and references related to this topic.

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Links from us

Area principals letters of offer

Primary principals letters of offer

Secondary principals letters of offer