The proposed study is an examination of the work of primary deputy principals in Western Australian government schools during their first year in the position and the professional socialisation that they undergo. It will adopt an interpretivist approach, using a longitudinal multiple case study design, to generate rich descriptions of the professional socialisation and experience of beginning deputy principals during a 12-month period. The proposed study intends to use a sample of twelve primary deputy principals in WA government schools that are in their first year in the position in 2006. The sample seeks to address maximum variability in participants’ backgrounds and work locations. In doing so, the study will seek to provide a full and rich understanding of the experience of beginning primary deputy principals in WA government schools. The proposed study will use multiple methods of data collection over a 12-month period. The researcher intends to collect data through in-depth interviews, non-participant workplace observations and reflective journals maintained by participants. The proposed study will make a contribution to knowledge in various ways. It aims to increase our understanding of the work of novice deputy principals in government primary schools. It aims to further our understanding of practitioners’ transitions to school management and leadership positions. It seeks to develop propositions about the initial phases of deputy principal socialisation and identify factors which enhance and inhibit the professional socialisation of deputy principals in primary schools. It also seeks to add to our knowledge about the ways in which primary school administration teams operate.