Overview
| Certificate in PDP for Deputy Heads in Secondary Schools | |
|---|---|
| Programme Code | BWP141 |
| Mode of Study | Full-time Block Release |
| Duration | 5 Weeks |
| Venue | Tai Po Campus |
| Programme Leader | Dr Ho Chun Sing Maxwell |
| Programme Enquiries | Miss Annie Wu 2948 7610 |
Programme Aims
On completion of this programme, participants are expected to:
- equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for mentoring others, enhancing leadership in school management and operations, and strengthening collegial support within schools;
- develop a refined capacity for self-reflection concerning their roles within the school, understand and apply the school's quality assurance framework. For example, deputy principals should coordinate and collaborate effectively, including tasks like formulating the school plan and executing school self-evaluation (SSE) processes;
- illustrate how Senior School Administrator addresses the prevailing concerns of schools;
- facilitate teachers’ engagement and networking with other school teachers and universities to gain experience and receive inspiration.
Programme Structure
The programme comprises the following three core courses of 3 credit points each:
Leadership for School Development and Change
As educational landscapes constantly evolve, the need for dynamic and effective school leadership becomes ever more important. This course is tailored for current and aspiring secondary school deputy heads determined to steer their schools towards sustainable development and excellence. This course delves into the heart of educational leadership, offering a deep exploration of various leadership models that are vital for today's school administrators. Participants will engage with the principles and practices of instructional leadership, transformational leadership, moral leadership, participative leadership, managerial leadership, contingent leadership, team leadership, and servant leadership. Each model is presented as a theory and a practical toolkit that deputy heads can adapt to their unique contexts.
Enhancing Participatory Capability of Secondary School Deputy Heads
In the context of schooling, some recent studies on the professional development needs of vice-principals in Hong Kong secondary schools found that deputy principals were taking on too much work in the areas of school management. Hence, they found difficulties in leading middle managers, teachers and minor staff. On the other hand, some deputy principals also need to support head teachers to oversee the curriculum tasks of the whole school. This course builds upon participants’ already rich experience as a middle manager of a school to deepen their knowledge and skills in leading other school professionals for continuous school improvement at a higher level, which includes developing and enriching sustainable school plans, mounting strategic resources in school, skills and techniques of solving problems, maintaining effecting community relationship and marketization of schools. This course also provides a platform for participants to enhance participatory capacity of deputy school heads in coordinating middle managers’ work, managing crisis, managing uncontrolled emotion of parents and minor staff, identifying of the responsibilities of vice-principals and middle leaders, and showing recognition to colleagues in support of the school head.
Contemporary Educational Development in Practice
Emerging issues in school development, quality assurance and accountability, and school leadership and management, in the new era and how these issues are transferred and sustained in schools will be critically examined and reflected. School leaders should foster the school's capacity to plan their work strategically and develop a culture of reflective practice which is fundamental to their continuous development and improvement. School leaders should base on the school's self-evaluation of its current state of performance, strengths, and areas for improvement, development priorities, and targets for improvement. The course will introduce some practical issues in school development to equip the participants with relevant knowledge and provide them with opportunities for professional reflection to facilitate school development.
To enrich participants’ educational perspectives and pedagogical practices, two Greater Bay Area school visits are designed to provide valuable insights into diverse teaching environments and foster cross-regional professional development
Medium of Instruction
The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese (Cantonese) and will be supplemented by English where appropriate.
Programme Duration
| Cohort(s) | Period of Study |
|---|---|
| 1 | 19 May to 20 June 2025 |
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants should be:
- in-service or potential secondary school deputy heads; and
- recommended by school principals.
Award
To be awarded a Certificate of Completion, participants must obtain a pass in all assessment tasks required and successfully fulfill the attendance requirements as stipulated by the programme.
Other Information
This Government-funded programme is supported by the Education Bureau (EDB). Schools which release teachers to take this programme are eligible for appointing supply teachers, if deemed necessary. Government and aided schools shall contact the EDB for detailed arrangements. Private and DSS schools shall make their own arrangements for the employment of supply teachers.
Participants who complete our PDPs are eligible to apply for credit transfer if they enroll in our postgraduate programmes. Their applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Participants may be responsible for covering the fees associated with the GBA visits.
Remarks: Each school can recommend more than one teacher.
