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Guidance

Senior leadership national professional qualification

A course to help teachers and leaders develop leadership knowledge and expertise to improve outcomes for teachers and pupils in their educational setting.

Applies to England

Who this course is for

This course is for teachers and leaders who are, or want to be, senior leaders with cross-setting responsibilities.

Overview

This 18-month course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:Ìý

  • leadership knowledge and the specialist expertise needed to tackle improvement prioritiesÌýin your educational setting
  • supporting the development of a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupilsÌý
  • contributing to your educational setting’s strategic direction and establishing an environment for learner successÌý
  • helping staff feel supported and valuedÌý

You will train alongside peers with similar responsibilities. The course content focuses on the key challenges teachers and leaders face in their role.Ìý

Teachers and education experts designed this course to fit around busy teaching timetables. There’s no project work and minimal time out of your setting is required.Ìý

This course will:Ìý

  • take 18 months to completeÌý
  • involve an average of 1 to 2 hours of study each weekÌý
  • be a mix of self-study and group sessionsÌý
  • involve a written assessmentÌý

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Teachers and educational leaders in many state-funded settings in England will be eligible forÌýfundingÌýto cover theirÌýNPQÌýcourse fees, subject to eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for funding does not guarantee a place on a funded NPQ course.

Course contentÌý

This course covers themes including:Ìý

  • cultureÌýin educational settings
  • effective teachingÌý
  • supporting curriculum and assessment developmentÌý
  • ²ú±ð³ó²¹±¹¾±´Ç³Ü°ùÌý
  • additional and special educational needsÌýand disabilities (SEND)
  • professional developmentÌý
  • organisational managementÌý

You’ll also learn about:Ìý

  • the latest evidence-based learning and approaches to teaching and leadershipÌýÌý
  • implementation strategiesÌý
  • working in partnership with parents and carersÌý
  • governance and accountability

Your training provider will give you models and examples that will help you translate theory into practical skills you can use in your setting.Ìý

You can focus on specific areas of leadership where you want to improve your knowledge.ÌýÌý

Course structureÌý

The course covers 10 topics, outlined in the course framework. Providers use this framework to design their course.Ìý

The course includes:Ìý

  • independent studyÌý
  • group coachingÌý
  • face-to-face sessions with other participantsÌý

You’ll need to spend 1 to 2 hours a week working on this NPQ.Ìý

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You can train for this NPQ with one of the following providers:Ìý

  • ÌýÌý
  • Ìý
  • Ìý
  • Ìý

They work with delivery partners, such as teaching school hubs, to provide training.Ìý

AssessmentÌý

To get your NPQ accreditation you’ll need to complete the course and pass a written assessment (between 1,500 and 2,500 words).Ìý

ApplyÌý

Learn how to apply for an NPQ.

Updates to this page

Published 20 September 2023
Last updated 16 December 2024 Show all updates
  1. Updated information about funding and removed one provider.

  2. Removed 'Education Development Trust' from the list of providers.

  3. Updated with details of the course due to start in autumn 2024.

  4. Updated NPQ start date to February 2024.

  5. First published.

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