Professional leadership plan 2009–10

The Professional Leadership Plan (PLP) (PDF 253KB) is the framework developed in partnership with NZEI, NZPF, PPTA, SPANZ, NZSTA, leadership researchers, and the Ministry of Education to deliver the goal of providing strong professional leadership in every school.

Overview

Every school student in New Zealand has the right to enjoy educational success. Strong professional school leadership is critical to all students enjoying that success.

We know that when leaders embed particular leadership practices into their work they are more likely to influence the improvement of outcomes for all students, especially when they focus on the core business of teaching and learning.

The PLP describes how the sector, in partnership with the Ministry, proposes to build on the best of what is already happening in New Zealand school leadership to ensure that we have a sustainable supply of highly skilled, high-quality professional leaders throughout the school system.

To achieve this, the PLP targets four key areas of school leadership for growth and professional learning support over 2009 and 2010: middle and senior leaders, and aspiring, first-time, and experienced principals. The results and priorities for action in each key area have been designed to:

  • develop and embed the particular leadership practices that lead to improved student outcomes
  • attract and develop leaders to ensure a pool of quality applicants at each level of school leadership, especially for hard-to-staff schools
  • assist leaders to meet the increasing complexity of their roles
  • retain leaders by offering a range of support and professional learning opportunities
  • evaluate the effectiveness of the programmes in improving leadership practices.

The PLP builds on the foundation provided by the educational leadership model described in Kiwi Leadership for Principals (KLP), and closely connects to these key leadership initiatives:

  • Educational Leadership Best Evidence Synthesis
  • kura kaupapa Māori-Medium leadership design work
  • development of professional standards
  • New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

The three foundation documents for New Zealand school leadership − Kiwi Leadership for Principals (published), Māori-Medium Leadership (in development), and Kiwi Leadership for Middle and Senior Leaders (in development) − provide the vision for leadership in each area of the PLP.

Current initiatives supporting school leaders

A number of leadership professional learning opportunities are already in place and contributing to the plan in each key area of school leadership:

Middle and senior leaders

  • Study leave, prestigious awards, and sabbaticals
  • Within-school funded professional development
  • Literacy and numeracy professional development
  • Management units, allowances, and release time
  • Leadership and Management advisers
  • Specialist classroom teachers
  • Curriculum professional development
  • Online tools and resources through the Educational Leaders website
  • Professional networks

Aspiring principals

  • Study leave, prestigious awards, and sabbaticals
  • Within-school funded professional development
  • Literacy and numeracy professional development
  • Management units, allowances, and release time
  • Leadership and Management advisers
  • Specialist classroom teachers
  • Curriculum professional development
  • Online tools and resources through the Educational Leaders website
  • Professional networks

First-time principals

  • First-time Principals Programme
  • Release days for U1 and U2
  • Regional office induction programme
  • Leadership and Management support
  • Within-school funded professional development
  • Schooling improvement
  • Support for schools at risk
  • Online tools and resources through the Educational Leaders website
  • Professional networks and management advice

Experienced principals

  • Sabbaticals and study awards
  • Within-school funded professional development
  • Schooling improvement
  • Support for schools at risk
  • Professional learning groups
  • Online tools and resources through the Educational Leaders website
  • Professional networks and management advice

Acknowledgments

The Ministry of Education would like to acknowledge the time, ideas, and feedback provided from the sector throughout this process. Contributions from principals, academics, Ministry of Education officials, and union and association representatives have been integral to the development of the PLP. In particular, the Ministry of Education would like to acknowledge the work of the External Policy Group: Ernie Buutveld (New Zealand Principals’ Federation), Carol Cardno (Unitec), Mary Chamberlain (Ministry of Education), Graham Collins (Ministry of Education), Colin Davies (New Zealand School Trustees Association), Julia Davidson (New Zealand Secondary Principals Council), Marion Fitchett (Ministry of Education), Paddy Ford (New Zealand Principals Federation), Kate Gainsford (Post-Primary Teachers Association), Peter Gall (Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand), Darren Gammie (Ministry of Education), Arthur Graves (New Zealand Secondary Principals Council), Tony Hamilton (New Zealand Educational Institute), Margie Hohepa (University of Auckland), Geoff Lane (Ministry of Education), Frances Nelson (New Zealand Educational Institute), Viviane Robinson (University of Auckland), Sue Watt (Ministry of Education), and Cathy Wylie (New Zealand Council for Educational Research).

References

Robinson, V M J (2008). Educational Leadership Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
Ministry of Education (2008). Kiwi Leadership for Principals. Wellington: Ministry of Education.

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