NSW Public School Leadership and Management Credential

The credential will help school leaders meet their accountabilities in regard to departmental policies, processes and procedures.

About the credential

Aspiring and new principals benefit from developing a set of consistent skills, knowledge and understanding in order to effectively lead and manage their schools. All newly appointed, first time principals in NSW public schools are required to attain the credential before applying for a principal position.

The course

The credential consists of 19 online modules with the following components. The modules have a minimum of 3 components with some having 4:

pre-reading
e-learning
assessment
recommended further reading (optional)

Candidates are required to read the pre-reading and e-learning material before attempting the assessment. After the pre-reading, each module will take up to 2 hours to complete. Upon completion of all 19 modules, candidates are eligible to receive a certificate of completion of the NSW Public School Leadership and Management Credential.

Assessment

Candidates are required to achieve 100 per cent in the assessment for every module in order to be awarded the credential. The assessment is open-book and the candidates may have multiple attempts at the assessment. The assessment must be completed individually. There is no lock-out period for multiple attempts at the assessment. The credential remains valid for 5 years from the date of completion of the first module. Candidates may be required to complete updates if warranted by policy changes.

Explore the credential (staff only)

External candidates

Candidates external to the department need to complete the credential before applying for a principal position in a NSW public school. To access the credential contact slicorrespondence@det.nsw.edu.au

Brief description of modules
Course	Outcomes
Module 1	School Infrastructure NSW Candidates will be familiar with essential information about managing school assets and service planning.
Module 2	Core legal issues Candidates will learn about common legal issues that are encountered by schools and principals.
Module 3	Developing self and others Candidates will engage with key learnings and reflect on how you will lead to deliver excellence in Developing Self and Others.
Module 4	Engaging and working with the community Candidates will develop a deeper understanding of the clear communication strategies which lead to improved parental and community engagement, enhanced staff morale and positive consultative decision-making.
Module 5	Ethical decision making Candidates will develop an understanding of ethical leadership and management practice.
Module 6	Industrial relations Candidates will develop an understanding of managing and responding to workplace issues, within an industrial context.
Module 7	Leading Aboriginal education Candidates will engage with key learnings and reflect on how you will lead to deliver excellence in Aboriginal education.
Module 8	Leading teaching and learning This e-learning module will provide aspiring principals with a clear understanding of which evidence-informed leadership and pedagogical practices are most effective in achieving sustainable improvements in student performance.
Module 9	Managing complaints Candidates will develop their knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a complaint, how to manage a complaint and what their responsibilities are so that complaints can be managed effectively.
Module 10	Performance and development Candidates will understand how to promote and lead a collaborative and supportive culture in their workplace. s.
Module 11	Performance improvement Candidates will understand performance management, procedures for implementing improvement programs and the leadership skills required to do so effectively.
Module 12	Implementation and monitoring of policy and curriculum Candidates will develop a clearer understanding of what the principal must know and do to align school procedures, processes and practices to ensure effective policy and curriculum implementation and monitoring.
Module 13	Procurement Candidates will learn information about procurement in NSW public schools.
Module 14	School excellence cycle This module provides candidates with information and practical advice as they implement the School Excellence Policy..
Module 15	Staffing in NSW Public Schools Candidates will be supported to better understand the fundamentals of workforce planning including their legal and ethical responsibilities in managing staffing entitlement including enrolment practices for staffing and the recruitment of permanent, temporary and casual staff.
Module 16	Strategic School Resourcing and Financial Management Candidates will receive information about strategic school resourcing and financial management responsibilities and effective practices in NSW public schools..
Module 17	Wellbeing for learning Candidates will build their knowledge of the NSW Department of Education Wellbeing Framework for Schools and be provided with information and advice about key related policies and good practice to support the wellbeing needs of all students in their school.
Module 18	Work health and safety Candidates will develop an understanding of the WHS policy and procedures and have knowledge of the key health and safety resources and services available to support principals, staff and students.
Module 19	Leading for Teacher Quality Candidates will develop their knowledge about the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers so that they recognise expert teachers. They will develop knowledge and understanding about how to connect with quality professional learning practices and resources and in-school action to support the development and growth of expert teachers.