The NSW Department of Education selected the Schools of Education at UOW and the University of Newcastle to work with the NSW School Leadership Institute to co-design and deliver the world class program.

UOW's Dr Kylie Lipscombe, academic program co-lead, said the program was evidence-based, accessible across different geographical locations and will cater to the different needs of diverse schools and middle leaders.

"We are both thrilled and privileged to work with the NSW Department of Education to co-design leadership development for up to 500 NSW public school middle leaders each year," Dr Lipscombe said.

"Partnerships between school systems and teacher educators at universities are such a powerful approach to working together on the moral purpose agenda of teacher and leadership support and development and ultimately improved student learning in schools."

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Middle leaders are usually teachers in positions of Assistant Principals and Heads of Curriculum.

Dr Lipscombe says middle leadership is a complex and increasingly important position in schools.

"Our own research highlights how middle leaders are usually excellent teachers who lead school improvement by focussing on the most important part of the school - the classroom," Dr Lipscombe said.

"They face many challenges including increased workloads and managing areas such as the performance of staff, because they are literally leading from the middle, positioned between the principal and their teacher colleagues.

"This dual relationship can prove very challenging."

University of Newcastle Associate Professor Jess Harris said one of the key roles of middle leaders was to support teaching practice within their schools.

"We will work with the Department to contribute the breadth of our research experience in leadership and improving teaching practice to support the work of middle leaders and enhance student learning across the state," she said.

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The first program will start in 2021.

The UOW researchers involved in the program are Dr Kylie Lipscombe, Professor Sue Bennett, Associate Professor Sharon Tindall-Ford, Associate Professor Jessica Mantei and Dr Kellie Buckley-Walker.

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