Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) overview
The Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) at a glance
- For: Aspiring and past principals in Victorian schools
- Duration: 5 weeks minimum (up to 3 months)
- Mode: Online & blended learning
- Cost: Fully subsidised for government schools (Catholic/Independent may apply)
- Outcome: Statement of Readiness and personalised feedback
Register for a VAPA Information SessionRegister for the VAPA
What is VAPA?
VAPA is a strengths-based assessment, designed and developed to be accessible and equitable in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Genos International. The VAPA evaluates your readiness for the Victorian principal role and provides detailed feedback on your leadership practice and, if successful, a Statement of Readiness that supports principal appointment.
Who is VAPA for?
- Aspiring principals – teachers or leaders preparing to step into a principal role.
- Past principals – leaders with previous experience returning to the role.
Eligibility Criteria
- Current teacher/leader in a Victorian school
- Nomination or support from your employer
- Ability to provide workplace evidence of leadership practice
How VAPA Works
For aspiring principals
Aspiring principal VAPA process
The VAPA uses two assessment frameworks to determine readiness:
- a developmental continuum aligned to the professional practice areas of the Australian Professional Standards for Principals
- emotionally intelligent leadership competencies.
Evidence of a candidate’s leadership capabilities are demonstrated through 360-degree feedback, a portfolio and an interview.
At the end of the assessment, candidates receive a report for the professional practice areas and emotionally intelligent leadership competencies. The VAPA assessors use the report to debrief and support candidates to identify their strengths and any areas for future development.
Three stages:
Stage 1 - Application:
- Complete a brief self-assessment
- Provide a short biography
- Submit a sample of practice against five professional practice areas.
Stage 2 - Assessment:
- 360-Degree feedback: Online surveys completed by your supervisor/principal plus three peers/community raters to collect multiple perspectives.
- Portfolio: A selection of artefacts (existing work) with annotations to show your role/contribution aligned to the professional practice areas.
- Behavioural Interview: To address gaps identified in portfolio and feedback and provide further evidence of leadership competence.
Stage 3 - Outcome:
- Receive report and Statement of Readiness if successful
For past principals
The VAPA has been streamlined for past principals and recognises their experience and expertise when considering suitability for the principal role.
Past principals are required to:
- provide a career map outlining their previous organisations and roles, including evidence of having held a substantive principal position
- be assessed using the emotionally intelligent leadership competency assessment framework.
At the end of the VAPA assessment process, candidates receive a report that is used as part of debrief with a VAPA assessor, and to identify their strengths and any areas for future development.
Two stages:
Stage 1 - Assessment and Career Map:
- 360-Degree feedback: an online survey that collects perspectives on your emotionally intelligent leadership competencies from a selection of nominated raters, as appropriate to your context.
- Career Map including your roles to date, including substantive principal roles
Stage 2 - Outcome:
- Interview and feedback including a detailed report that indicates your strengths and areas for development against the emotionally intelligent leadership competencies.
Great schools do not exist without great teachers
For more information about principal appointment requirements, see the Victorian Department of Education Policy and Advisory Library.
