Information for aspiring principals
The resources in this section focus on helping you to understand what is required from a school’s educational leader.
Preparing for principalship
One of the five recommendations in an Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership report (2015) on preparing aspiring school principals describes three broad stages of learning.
- Instructional leadership: Developing deep and comprehensive pedagogical knowledge is foundational. It is something you can begin early, as it is compatible with a teaching role.
- Higher-order and interpersonal skills: Developing skills such as strategic thinking, change leadership, and emotional and social intelligence, needs time. You should seek opportunities to do this before taking on the role of principal.
- Management abilities: Developing management knowledge and skills is best undertaken just before taking on a principal role so you can immediately consolidate your learning through practice.
Read the AITSL report – recommendation 3
Download the full AITSL report
Information on this website
Guides
Guides for managing your school
Educational leadership capability framework
Personal stories from new principals
Becoming a principal and making a difference
Reflections from a first-time principal
Further information
Leadership characteristics and Fullan's five principles – Australian School of Applied Management
Connects people's descriptions of meaningful leaders to Michael Fullan's principles of educational leadership for change.
See Leadership programmes for information on Ministry of Education support for principals.
