Register your Interest in NPQs
National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are DfE accredited qualifications designed to support the professional development of teachers and school leaders.
While applications for Spring 2025 are now closed, you can register your interest for future cohorts by selecting the relevant NPQ below.
NPQ Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
NPQLTD gives participants all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development.
The fully blended learning approach combined with performance coaching and enrichment activities make this an exciting and valuable opportunity for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school.
The NPQLTD qualification is worth 40 Master's credits and can act as a springboard onto Liverpool Hope University’s MA in Leading in Education or the MBA in Educational Leadership.
Find out more and register Interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQLTD, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
NPQ Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
NPQLT gives participants all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin the successful leadership of teaching.
Coupled with a comprehensive blend of learning methods, including Face-to-Face events, performance coaching, and enrichment activities, the NPQLT offers an invaluable learning experience.
NPQLT is designed for individuals who currently hold, or are harbouring aspirations to assume, leadership roles in teaching, whether it be in a particular subject, year group, key stage, or educational phase.
The NPQLT qualification is worth 40 Master's credits and can act as a springboard onto Liverpool Hope University’s MA in Leading in Education or the MBA in Educational Leadership.
Find out more and Register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQLT, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)
NPQLBC gives participants all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of culture and behaviour in a school.
The fully blended learning approach combined with performance coaching and enrichment activities make this an exciting and valuable opportunity for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development and improvement of behaviour management and culture across their school.
The NPQLBC qualification is worth 40 Master's credits and can act as a springboard onto Liverpool Hope University’s MA in Leading in Education or the MBA in Educational Leadership.
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQLBC, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
NPQ Leading Literacy (NPQLL)
NPQLL is for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase.
Participants develop the knowledge, skills and expertise to lead effective approaches to developing literacy and supporting children’s reading and writing at all stages. This will include leading and developing others to improve children’s literacy.
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQLL, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
NPQ Leading Primary Maths (NPQLPM)
NPQLPM is for teachers and leaders with responsibility for leading maths across a primary key-stage or school, or those who want to have this responsibility, teachers familiar with mastery approaches to teaching primary maths, who want to improve leadership skills in this area and subject leaders in a school already engaged in the primary Teaching for Mastery programme or similar programme.
This NPQ is delivered in partnership with the Berkshire Teaching School Hub, Astra Teaching School Hub and the BBO Maths Hub. The National Provider of the qualification is University College London.
NPQ Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
NPQEYL is for leaders qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification who are, or are aspiring to be:
- Managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries
- Headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries
- Childminders with leadership responsibilities
This NPQ is delivered in partnership with University College London. It is online and facilitated by UCL colleagues.
NPQ Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
NPQSL is suitable for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities.
Although the role varies, many senior leaders contribute to all aspects of the school through the leadership team as well as having a specific whole school responsibility of their own.
This means the role is often both operational and strategic and relies on working with and through colleagues (in particular, through middle leaders) to ensure every pupil gets an excellent education.
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQSL, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
NPQ Special Educational Needs Coordinator (NPQSENCO)
Marking a significant step in supporting exceptional outcomes for students with special educational needs (SEN), the new leadership-level National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs were launched in autumn 2024.
Replacing the NASENCO qualification, this programme promises to equip SENCOs with the cutting-edge expertise and leadership skills needed to navigate the evolving SEND landscape and champion inclusive practices within their schools.
Designed in collaboration with leading experts and informed by the latest evidence, the NPQ curriculum will delve into key areas such as:
- Strategic Leadership: Fostering a collaborative school culture that prioritises inclusive education and empowers all stakeholders
- Expert SEND Knowledge: Mastering the intricacies of the SEND framework, legislation, and best practices to ensure seamless support for students with diverse needs
- Effective Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with teachers, parents, and external agencies to create a network of support for students
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQ for SENCO, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
SENCOs who have already obtained the NASENCO will not need to complete the new NPQ. From September 2024, all SENCOs will:
- Need to take the NPQ if they have not completed or started the NASENCO
- Still need to complete training within 3 years of appointment – schools and SENCOs must ensure they enrol on training that will meet this requirement
- SENCOs appointed before 1 September 2009 will not be required to take the NPQ but will be expected to ensure compliance with the regulations
NPQ Headship (NPQH)
NPQH is suitable for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.
Although some headteachers and principals still teach, the role is primarily a strategic and operational one and relies on working with and through their colleagues (in particular, through the leadership team) to ensure every pupil gets an excellent education.
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A headteacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQH, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration / experience
- Be 18/36 months from applying for a headship role (if not already a headteacher)
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)
The Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) is an unassessed support package aimed at headteachers who are in their first five years of headship.
Participants will receive 1-2-1 coaching from a leadership coach who will help to address and overcome challenges, set new goals and prompt reflection on how to develop leadership skills. Our leadership coaches are experienced and well placed to offer insights into early headship.
NPQ Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
The NPQEL is for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, an executive headteacher with responsibility for leading several schools, academies or LA Virtual Schools and have a minimum of three years as a headteacher or head of school.
The content and processes used within the programme are subject to robust external quality assurance so that schools and participants may have confidence that the areas studied have direct relevance to their current needs.
Find out more and register interest
Requirements
Applicants must have full support from their school / organisation. A Chair of Governors, School Improvement Officer (or similar authoratative role) must confirm their support and that all the information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQEL, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- Leadership aspiration / experience
- 3 years experience as a headteacher
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact the Best Practice NPQ team who will be able to support your application.
