This week the School Leadership Institute (SLI) has selected the first 260 participants in our new Middle Leadership Development Program, which will begin in Term 1 next year.

There was huge interest in our program, the first time the department has offered a tailored professional development program specifically for assistant principals and head teachers.

SLI Director Joanne Jarvis said she was impressed by the calibre of the applications received from middle leaders and leadership teams from across the state.

“The selection panel members went through a rigorous process to select the successful applicants from what was a really high-quality field,” she said.

“What really came through was the evidence of the world-class teaching and leadership already being demonstrated by assistant principals and head teachers in all school contexts. We’re very excited about working with our first group to help them broaden their influence and impact as leaders through the MLDP.”

There were 208 applications in total, including individual and team applications, from more than 480 middle leaders and facilitators. Applications came from leaders across NSW working in all school contexts.

Many successful middle leader applicants are already leading teams or programs in their school, including Aboriginal Education, Special Education, Literacy and Numeracy, and curriculum teams. This demonstrates the diversity of middle leadership in NSW public schools, something highlighted in our recently-released report on Formal Middle Leadership. (link)

The MLDP will be delivered by the SLI in partnership with the University of Wollongong and the University of Newcastle, and will the largest program of its kind in Australia.