Policy
This policy sets out the requirement for schools to develop a 4-year School Strategic Plan.
Summary
- All Victorian government schools must develop a 4-year School Strategic Plan (SSP) in the term following a review. The SSP should be endorsed by the principal and school council president in the Strategic Planning Online Tool .
- Guidance for Developing the key directions for the SSP is available on the Guidance tab on this site.
Details
- Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and Ministerial Order all schools must prepare a 4 year School Strategic Plan (SSP) that sets out the school’s:
- philosophy
- goals
- targets to improve student outcomes
- strategies for achieving them.
- The recommended goals, targets and key improvement strategies (KIS) for the SSP are referred to as key directions and are developed through the school review process.
- These are shared with staff and the broader community to ensure collective ownership and support for the SSP over the next 4 years and to inform the vision, values and intent sections of the school’s SSP.
- Members of the school leadership team will lead the school in reviewing or updating the school’s philosophy, which is communicated through the vision, values and intent sections of the school’s SSP.
- Upon endorsement by the senior education improvement leader (SEIL) in , the goals, targets and KIS articulated in the SSP cascade into the Annual Implementation Plan, which operationalises the SSP over 4 years.
Related policies
- School Review
- Framework for Improving Student Outcomes
- Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)
- Annual Report to the School Community
Relevant legislation
Department policy setting out the requirement for schools to develop a four year School Strategic Plan.
Reviewed 24 October 2025
