In 2005 Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary state schools in Malta were grouped into ten Colleges according to locality such that the primary school students proceed to the secondary school within that particular College.

Kindergarten centres are an integral part of a primary school and as such these centres do not have their specific Head of School. The Head of the Primary School of which they form part would be responsible for the Kindergarten Centre. However, very often the day-to-day management is delegated to one of the Assistant Heads of School. Each school has its own Head of School who leads and manages the school and who is responsible and accountable for its daily running. A number of Assistant Heads and Heads of Department support the Head of School in the running of the school. These persons make up the school’s Senior Management Team.

Requirements for Appointment

Appointments to the post of Head of School in the public sector are made following an open call for applications. Eligible applicants would be: Assistant Heads of School, Heads of Department, Inclusive Education Coordinators (INCOs) and School Counsellors. The applicants would also need to be in possession of a Teacher’s (Permanent) Warrant and have at least ten scholastic years teaching experience as well as four scholastic years’ service in the post of Assistant Head of School, Head of Department, INCO or School Counsellor in a licensed school. It is also a requirement that applicants have at least a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with specialisation in leadership, administration and management, or any other equivalent or higher qualification in these areas awarded by the University of Malta or any other institution of higher education recognised by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Centre (MQRIC). Applicants must be of good conduct with a sound moral character and due consideration is given to past managerial performance and experience.

Upon appointment, new Heads of School can attend a number of phase sessions organised by the Institute for Education.  The aim of these sessions is to equip them with practical knowledge and aspects concerned with the day-to-day running of a school

Each session is done twice and new Heads of School can choose when to attend according to their needs.  The sessions are facilitated by qualified and experienced personnel and include internal review, financial management and procurement, access arrangements, the management of the annual classification exercise, timetabling, induction of newly qualified teachers and supporting learners with social emotional behavioural difficulties.  Participants are given a certificate of attendance at the end of each session.

Conditions of Service

In 2019, the basic maximum salary of a Head of School is €31,382; however, Heads of School receive

1. an annual class allowance which in 2019 is €3,543
2. a Works Resources allowance which in 2019 is €488
3. an allowance which reflects school population as listed hereunder:

Newly appointed Heads of School in the public sector are posted to schools where a vacancy exists. However vacancies for a school with a population of over 500 students are filled through a selection process in the form of an interview, following an internal call for applications open to Heads of Schools with at least three years’ experience as Heads of School. These calls for applications are issued by the Directorate for Educational Services (DES). Heads of School may be appointed in primary or secondary schools according to the exigencies of the DES.

The overall responsibilities of a Head of School include

1. The provision of an ethical and professional leadership at school,
2. The provision of a high quality holistic education and effective pastoral care to each student
3. The monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning occurring at school in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
4. Oversee and lead the formulation and implementation of the School Development Plan (SDP).
5. Oversee the mentoring of new staff, carrying out the annual school. classification exercise, the preparation of the school timetable and the cost effective management of the human, physical, and financial resources of the school including school transport.
6. The smooth opening and closure of the school according to the official opening hours.

Heads of School in state schools may apply to be deployed to another school. Re-deployments are affected according to seniority, the available vacant posts and according to the exigencies/prerogative of the DES. Heads of School may opt to move to schools with a larger school population or they may apply for career progression as College Principal, Director or Assistant Director within the Education Directorates. Heads of School in state schools may be suspended and/or dismissed as per regulations/procedures listed in the Public Service Management Code (PSMC) and suspension and/or dismissal could be the result of a repeated lack of performance, verbal, physical and/or substance abuse, sexual harassment and/or mismanagement of school funds/fraud. The College Principal and the education authorities would be informed and an investigative board may be set up to investigate the case in further depth so that an informed and just decision can be taken.

The retirement age is according to the current national legislation. Currently, the retirement age is 62 years for both men and women.