On the Balcony: AIP Strategy for School Leaders
About the program
School leaders often have limited time and space to think strategically while responding to the day-to-day demands of leading a school.
On the Balcony: Strategic Planning for School Leaders provides dedicated time to focus on your school's future direction. Drawing on evidence-informed approaches to strategy, organisational alignment and resource allocation, you'll explore practical leadership principles while developing your school's Annual Implementation Plan (AIP).
Supported by your Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), Academy facilitators and a network of peers, you'll strengthen your ability to set clear priorities, align resources and build commitment across your school community.
You'll leave with greater clarity, practical planning tools and a stronger foundation for leading sustained improvement.
What you'll learn
Build the knowledge and confidence to lead strategy with purpose and turn priorities into action.
- Strategic direction - develop a compelling strategy aligned to your school's vision, values and improvement priorities.
- Resource alignment - make informed decisions about how to balance competing priorities within finite time, staffing and funding resources.
- Collective commitment - build shared understanding and commitment across your school community to strengthen implementation success.
- Monitoring and improvement - track progress, evaluate impact and adapt your approach when needed.
- Sustaining momentum - recognise and celebrate success to maintain focus, engagement and continuous improvement.
Expert facilitators
Adam Hogan
Adam Hogan is Director at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and a strategic leader with more than 20 years' experience across education, government and the not-for-profit sector.
A former school principal and executive leader, Adam has led large-scale transformational initiatives focused on organisational improvement, leadership capability and system reform. His experience spans strategic planning, governance, resource management and educational leadership, providing participants with practical insights into leading improvement within complex environments.
Adam is also an Adjunct Senior Practitioner with Federation University and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Who should apply?
Who should apply?
Roles
- Principals
- Principal class leaders
- School leadership teams
School sectors
This program is available to Victorian Government schools.
Structure
Delivery
This professional learning program is delivered through a one-day, face-to-face workshop that combines strategic learning with guided planning time.
Participants will engage in:
- 2 facilitated sessions exploring evidence-informed strategy concepts and research
- A facilitated question and answer session
- Dedicated strategic planning time with support from SEILs and experienced Academy principals
- Peer discussion, collaboration and problem-solving
Key concepts explored include:
- Thinking strategically in complex environments
- Organisational alignment and strategic resourcing
- Human-centred strategy
- The 80/20 principle
- Starting with purpose
- Building commitment and accountability
- Monitoring impact and sustaining improvement
Learning outcomes
By the end of the program, you'll be able to:
- Develop a clear and powerful strategy aligned to your school's vision and values.
- Balance priorities within available resources and time.
- Align people, resources and effort to improvement priorities.
- Build school-wide commitment to strategic direction.
- Monitor impact and adjust implementation to maximise outcomes.
- Celebrate success to sustain momentum and continuous improvement.
Completion requirements
To complete the program, participants must attend the full-day workshop.
How to apply
Contact your Senior Education Improvement Leaders (SEIL) for upcoming intakes.
SEILs coordinate program intakes and registrations for schools within their network and will provide information about upcoming opportunities, availability and registration arrangements.
Fees and support
Government schools:
Catholic and independent schools:
Department of Education fully subsidises Victorian government schools.
