School leaders
Our school leaders occupy a unique place in the public education system, building morale and nurturing a culture of pride and respect.
School leaders include principals, deputy and assistant principals, head teachers and more.
Inspire and manage
School leaders are responsible for educational programs and learning outcomes, the management and professional development of their staff, school finances and property, and the relationships between the school and its community. They understand education because they are accomplished teachers themselves.
Our school leaders are passionate about the role of public education in Australian society. By ensuring every child, regardless of their circumstances or background, has the opportunity to develop academically and socially, our public schools are a vital pillar of an inclusive democracy.
Opportunities to lead
We need candidates who can both inspire and manage and who understand how education policy and curriculum changes impact their people. Great school leaders empower both their teachers and their students.
We understand the value of leadership and offer generous salaries, supportive conditions and attractive benefits.
School leadership roles offer our teachers rewarding career pathways. We invite you to consider your future as an educational leader.
Which role is right for you?
These are just some of the school leadership roles available in the Department of Education.
Principals across the department's more than 2,200 schools – from small rural primary schools; schools for specific purposes; central schools through to large metropolitan secondary schools – are the leading educational professionals.
Each school sits within its own unique, localised community. Principals are required to lead these diverse, dynamic and sometimes challenging communities in ways that are inclusive, future-focussed and ensure opportunity and equity for all.
The deputy principal is accountable to the principal. They support the leadership, management and improvement of the school
Deputy principals perform their duties in collaboration with and as delegated by the principal. As part of the executive team, their responsibilities vary between schools and within schools across NSW, reflecting local contexts. Deputy principals are critical to the school’s executive team; their role characterised by the need to adapt to the specific circumstances of their school and communities.
Typically employed in secondary schools, head teachers are an integral part of the leadership team and are appointed to support the principal in leading and managing the school.
The role of the head teacher is an opportunity for the teacher to continue to grow their understandings about leadership, while simultaneously continuing to develop their teaching expertise.
With the department's commitment to equitable educational opportunities for all of our students, regional and remote NSW is dotted with small schools that often form the heart of their local communities. Teaching principals, who play a dual role of both teaching and administration, are employed at many of these schools.
Working in officers all over NSW, Principals, School Leadership support the professional learning, wellbeing and ongoing capabilities of school leaders.
They provide principals and school leaders with professional support that assists them in developing healthy and sustainable leadership practices and builds their leadership capabilities and organisational effectiveness.
Typically employed in primary schools, assistant principals play a key role supporting the principal and, as the leader of a group of teachers, leads the professional growth of their team.
The role of assistant principal is an opportunity for teachers to grow in their understandings about leadership and continue to develop their teaching expertise.