Leading for impact guides

These guides unpack what high-impact school leadership looks like and how the Professional Practices of the Principal Standard can be used to develop capacity.

High-impact school leadership

High-impact school leadership can be demonstrated by all individuals within a school. It is the practice of developing individual and collective teaching expertise and learning, and is pivotal to delivering the best outcomes for young Australians.

Leading teaching and learning

School leaders using their educational expertise and management skills to focus the efforts of everyone in the school on improving the quality and impact of teaching and learning. Regardless of the setting, high-impact school leaders know that teachers need the expertise to understand how their students learn and how to help them make the next steps in their learning.

Developing self and others

School leaders working with and through others to build a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning. Talent should be viewed from a broad perspective, creating a diverse and extensive pool of people interested in all levels of school leadership whilst building capacity across a jurisdiction or school. Leadership pathways are diverse and no less valuable if they don’t lead to principalship.

Leading improvement, innovation and change

School leaders working collaboratively to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies for the development of the school, its facilities and the community. Leading and managing innovation and change to ensure the vision and strategic plan is put into action across the school and that its goals and intentions are realised.

Leading the management of the school

School leaders using a range of technologies effectively and efficiently to manage the schools resources and staffing. High-impact school leaders seek to build a successful school through effective collaboration with school boards, systems (where applicable), parents and others. They do this through providing an effective and safe learning environment as well as value for money.

Engaging and working with the community

School leaders embracing inclusion and building a culture of high expectations that takes account of the richness and diversity of the wider school community and the education systems and sectors. They develop and maintain positive partnerships with students, families and carers and all those associated with the wider school community