The Middle Leadership Development Program is the largest professional learning program in Australia for assistant principals and head teachers.

The program is tailored specifically for the needs of the 12,000 assistant principals and head teachers in NSW public schools. 

It is run by the NSW Department of Education’s School Leadership Institute (SLI) and provides targeted professional learning to middle leaders, while helping lift student achievement by developing the capabilities of the leaders who have a direct impact in classrooms. 

The Director of the SLI, Joanne Jarvis, said supporting assistant principals and head teachers in NSW public schools ensured leaders remained motivated and connected to colleagues and their students.

“Middle leaders are the leaders who can have a direct impact in the classroom and who connect classroom teachers with more senior leaders – their role in our schools is so important,” she said.

“They are acknowledged as teaching and learning experts, and positioned between teachers and school executive, are increasingly being tasked to lead school professional learning to improve classroom teaching and learning practices.

“The SLI is committed to making sure we identify potential future middle leaders through our School Leadership Identification Framework and in developing and supporting those leaders already in their roles.”

The Middle Leadership Development Program launched in 2022 with an initial cohort of 215 participants.

It is a 12-month program co-designed by the SLI alongside academics from the University of Newcastle and University of Wollongong.

Applications for the next cohort of participants are now open with the program set to start in Term 1 2024.

Participants in the program engage in a mix of conferences, online sessions, self-paced e-learning and other activities. 

The program also provides principals and deputy principals with the opportunity to enhance and reflect on their own leadership practice by becoming facilitators.

Applications for participants and facilitators close Monday 16 October.