Middle Leaders Online


Cost

Non Member - $1,815
ACEL Member - $1,705


Group Rates (3+)

Non Member - $1,705
ACEL Member - $1,595

Time
Each webinar will run for 1.5hrs
(3.30pm – 5.00pm AEDT)

Lead with impact. Perform with confidence. Step into your leadership identity. 

 

The ACEL Middle Leaders Program is a national, performance-driven leadership experience for middle leaders who want to lead with greater authority, influence beyond their role, and deliver measurable impact in their school. 

Rebooted for 2026, the program moves decisively beyond content-heavy online delivery. Instead, it focuses on connection, collective problem-solving, applied leadership practice, and leadership identity — supporting middle leaders to lead well now while building momentum for what’s next. 

Participants learn with others, not just about leadership — working in structured, cross-sector collegiate learning groups to tackle real leadership challenges drawn directly from their own context. 

What’s New in 2026 

This is not a refresh. It is a fundamental shift in how leadership development is experienced. 

Flipped, Collaborative Learning Model 
Core ideas and research are accessed before sessions, so live time is dedicated to discussion, problem-solving, reflection, and application. 

Collegiate Learning Groups 
Participants work in consistent cross-sector learning groups, building trust, shared language, and enduring professional networks across Australia. 

Leadership Challenge at the Core 
A real-world, school-aligned improvement initiative that evidences leadership impact and growth. 

Choice That Respects Your Time 
Nano, micro, and deep-dive learning options allow participants to engage at the depth that fits their week — without compromising participation. 

Clear Credentials and Recognition 
Explicit AITSL Middle Leaders standards alignment, a formal certificate, professional learning hours recorded, and a digital LinkedIn badge on completion.  

A Reimagined Focus

Who the Program Is For

  • Middle leaders who lead teams, projects, or improvement initiatives
  • Those wanting to move beyond task management into confident leadership
  • Time-poor but committed to meaningful growth
  • Value learning through collaboration and real-world application
  • Want to strengthen their leadership identity and influence
  • Considering future leadership opportunities without losing focus on current impact

How the Learning Works

The program uses an interactive, applied learning model designed for middle leadership realities:

  • Prepare → Collaborate → Apply → Reflect
  • Nano (10–15 mins): visual frameworks and key ideas
  • Micro (30–45 mins): research summaries and case examples
  • Deep Dive (optional): full research and extended readings
  • All pathways prepare participants to contribute meaningfully in live sessions

The Leadership Challenge (Central to the Program)

Participants design and lead a strategic school-based improvement initiative:

  • Introduce a new practice, strengthen team behaviours, or transform a process
  • Implement a leadership approach aligned with program learning
  • Align the initiative to school values, priorities, and improvement goals
  • Influence colleagues and stakeholders, build collective ownership
  • Apply leadership strategies in real time and lead change effectively
  • Share progress with supervisors or executive leaders throughout

Principal Partnership and Engagement

Schools are active partners in leadership development:

  • Principal Briefing: program structure, Leadership Challenge, and support guidance
  • Leadership Challenge Showcase: participants share initiatives, articulate growth, and reflect on outcomes
  • Strengthens alignment, visibility, and ROI for schools

What You Will Work On

Leadership themes applied directly to participants’ context:

  • Building a Dynamic Culture: leading beyond compliance
  • Vision, Values, and Decision-Making
  • Building Thriving Teams: Harvard 6 Team Conditions
  • Powerful Communication and Influence
  • Trust, Psychological Safety, and Psychosocial Risk Reduction
  • Necessary Conversations: productive disagreement
  • Leading with a Coaching Lens
  • Leading Change and Driving Improvement
  • Live Well, Lead Well: resilience, positivity, and wellbeing

360 Feedback and Coaching

  • 360-degree GENOS or LEADQ assessment
  • One-hour individual coaching debrief with ACEL coach
  • Robust, balanced view of strengths and growth areas
  • Personalised insight, reflection, and targeted guidance
  • Supports participants’ Leadership Challenge

Career Catalyst — Supporting Your Next Step

  • Exclusive access to ACEL’s career progression support
  • CV and leadership narrative development
  • Mindset and confidence support for career transitions
  • Interview preparation grounded in sector expectations
  • Insights from experienced principals and system leaders
  • Tools to articulate leadership impact clearly and credibly

Credentials, Standards and Recognition

  • Official ACEL Certificate of Completion
  • Alignment to AITSL Middle Leaders standards
  • Total professional learning hours recorded
  • Digital completion badge for LinkedIn and professional profiles
  • Principal-ready Leadership Impact Summary supporting performance conversations and career progression
Dropdown Tiles

WEBINAR 1

Tuesday 24th February

MODULE 1 – Leading with Vision & Values:

  • Aligning actions and decisions with core purpose and principles
  • Articulating a clear and compelling vision that inspires others to follow you

WEBINAR 2

Tuesday 10th March

MODULE 2 – Leading with Trust:

  • Fostering a positive work culture to enhance collaboration
  • Honesty, transparency + account-ability
  • Empowering others + building rapport

WEBINAR 3

Tuesday 24th March

MODULE 3 – Influence & Engagement:

  • Persuading others to follow your vision, goals, and values.
  • Creating a positive and productive work environment with high trust, commitment and results

WEBINAR 4

Tuesday 5th May

MODULE 4 – Leading Change:

  • Developing a clear + compelling goal + strategy
  • Measuring progress and outcomes
  • Communication
  • Input + feedback
  • Harnessing expertise + supports

WEBINAR 5

Tuesday 19th May

MODULE 5 – Difficult Conversation:

  • Mindset + attitude
  • Language + discussion structure
  • Making a commitment to change/action

WEBINAR 6

Tuesday 2nd June

MODULE 6 – Giving Feedback:

  • Processes + structures for effective feedback
  • Differentiating feedback for optimum results

WEBINAR 7

Tuesday 16th June

MODULE 7 – High Performing Teams:

  • Clarity, communication + collaboration
  • Fostering a culture of continual learning + improvement

WEBINAR 8

Tuesday 28th July

MODULE 8 – Resilience & Wellbeing:

  • Managing stress and adversity to enhance engagement, creativity + productivity

CERTIFICATE

PROGRAM COMPLETION

  • RECEIVE Certificate of completion email
  • Certificate with AITSL Teacher Standards and course hours identified