Leading Edge for middle leaders

Why Leading Edge?

If you're navigating the tension between classroom teaching and leadership responsibilities, Leading Edge offers the clarity and support you've been looking for. This year-long, job-embedded programme equips middle and senior leaders - especially those new to team or syndicate leadership - with the practical tools, coaching, and cultural capabilities needed to lead learning and lift outcomes for ākonga.

Designed specifically for our Aotearoa context, the programme coaches leaders to practically address real school-based curriculum improvement and is deeply embedded in what we know is vital for middle leaders’ work.

Job-embedded, tailored support

Following an initial two-day face to face workshop, you will work with a small group of fellow leaders and a coach, as you lead job-embedded specific leadership challenges directly aligned to your role and the annual plan and goals of your kura or school.

You'll gain insights into overcoming barriers and achieving progress in real-time, responding to the emerging needs of your team. Soon you'll be guiding collaborative teaching teams with the confidence and clarity of an experienced school leader 

This isn't just professional development; it's a collaborative journey designed to empower you to lead improvement, raise achievement, and reduce disparity for your ākonga.

What you will learn

 Over the course of the programme, you will learn to:

• use evidence-based tools to lead learning improvements for your ākonga

• troubleshoot and solve problems of practice in relation to curriculum and assessment goals 

• navigate important conversations and provide actionable feedback with your teams 

• tackle tough issues and make significant progress in leading your team to improve teaching and learning

• weave the leadership and cultural capabilities needed to help ākonga Māori thrive throughout.

Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa   

This whakataukī speaks to the tenacity of the hammerhead shark, symbolising resilience and determination. Just as the shark never gives up, we can draw inspiration for our mahi, mindsets, and drive to raise achievement and reduce disparity. Let your pursuits be guided by resilience, determination, and unwavering resolve. 

Build on your strengths and improve your ability to shape the transformation of teaching and learning in your kura.  

Join the Leading Edge programme to unlock your potential.  

Programme structure

You will be supported through:

• a brief online introductory webinar for you, with your school principal or supporting senior leader

• a two-day face-to-face workshop, facilitated by expert leadership consultants

• responsive coaching for you through the year via
  - up to three online sessions with a coach and a small group of fellow leaders
  - two regional coaching sessions to support learning and networks

• two online masterclasses to inspire you through the work of educational thought leaders.

• a final one-day regional wānanga to celebrate and evaluate your learning, and network with fellow leaders. 

Go deeper

Find out more about the under-pinning research on middle leadership behind Leading Edge:

Blog posts:

• How to retrain your brain for more effective conversations

• Ready to take the lead in curriculum implementation?

Research:

• Patuawa, J., Robinson, V., Sinnema, C., & Zhu, T. (2021). Addressing inequity and underachievement: Middle leaders’ effectiveness in problem solving. Leading & Managing, 27(1), 51–78.

• Patuawa, J. M., Sinnema, C., Robinson, V., & Zhu, T. (2023). Addressing inequity and underachievement: Intervening to improve middle leaders’ problem-solving conversations. Journal of Educational Change, 24(4), 661–697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-022-09449-3.

What leaders told us in 2025

These reflections below are from our 2025 cohort, captured mid-way through their year-long journey:

Your investment

• This programme is $1750 + GST per person.

A 15% discount applies for three or more educators from the same school or kura.

We require a minimum number of participants for each workshop to proceed. We’ll confirm viability with all registered participants ten business days beforehand.

Who is this for?

You might be new to your leadership role, or have not yet had leadership support in your senior position:

• Deputy Principals, Assistant Principals, Associate Principals

• Leaders of Learning (LOL), Heads of Faculty (HOF), Heads of Department (HOD)

• Team/syndicate leaders

• Deans 

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