National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
Further information about Autumn 2025 NPQs will be posted as soon as it's available. Please email [email protected] to be added to the expression of interest list.
Having delivered National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for many years, in partnership with various providers, since 2021 we have been a local delivery partner for Teach First. Teach First are one of a select group of national providers who have been designated to design, deliver and assess NPQs, in collaboration with delivery partners such as Teaching School Hubs.
Since Autumn 2024, we have also been partnering with Best Practice Network to deliver the new NPQ for SENCOs.
Accredited by the Department for Education (DfE), NPQs are the most widely recognised qualifications in the education sector for current and aspiring leaders and they provide training and support for teachers and school leaders at all levels. From those who want to develop expertise in high-quality teaching practice, such as behaviour management, to those leading multiple schools across trusts.
Prior to 2024, the DfE funded all NPQs for teachers in state-funded schools, but this funding was part of Covid recovery and eventually came to an end.
In Autumn 2024 and Spring 2025, the DfE made fully funded places available to all schools for NPQH, NPQLPM, NPQSENCO and for the EHCO. Funded places were available on other NPQs for selected schools, with eligibility based on pupil premium data.
We are currently awaiting confirmation of funding availability for Autumn 2025 cohorts.
Types of NPQ
There are five specialist NPQs for teachers and school leaders who want to broaden their expertise in particular areas. The following programmes are for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject or year, leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school, or leading the development of other teachers in their school. (Click on the links below for further information).
- NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) - developing teachers who are subject leads or responsible for improving teaching practice in a subject or phase.
- NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) - developing teachers who have responsibilities for leading behaviour and culture.
- NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) – supporting the training and development of others, including early career teachers.
- NPQ for Leading Literacy (NPQLL) - for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase
- NPQ for Leading Primary Maths (NPQLPM) - for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading primary mathematics teaching across a school, key stage or phase.
For those looking to progress into senior leadership and beyond, the following five NPQs build foundational knowledge to rapidly progress your school, education setting or trust’s key improvement priorities – all while creating and embedding a culture that allows your school/eduction setting, staff and pupils to thrive:
- NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) - 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 and maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities.
- NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) - for existing and aspiring leaders, who have cross-school responsibilities.
- NPQ for Headship (NPQH) - for both new and aspiring Headteachers.
- NPQ for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) - for leaders who are, or who are aspiring to be, an executive headteacher or have a Trust CEO role with responsibility for leading several schools.
- NPQ for SENCOs (NPQSENCO) - replacing the NASENCO award from Autumn 2024, for SENDCOs and other school leaders with an interest in SEND.
Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) - this is aimed at new headteachers taking the NPQH in their first five years of headship.
Costs and Scholarship Funding
We are currently awaiting confirmation of funding availability for Autumn 2025 cohorts.
For schools who are paying for places, the following fees will apply:
|
Programme |
Price |
|
Specialist NPQs |
TBC |
|
NPQSL |
TBC |
|
NPQEYL |
TBC |
|
NPQSENCO (BPN) |
TBC |
|
NPQH |
TBC |
|
NPQEL |
TBC |
Application Process and Deadlines
Applications for all NPQs involve a two-stage process and both stages must be completed:
1. Complete an application form. (All applications will be screened to assess applicants’ suitability before being accepted onto a programme)
2. Register for an NPQ on the DfE portal. (When completing this stage please ensure that you specify you wish to undertake the programme with the Leicester & Leicestershire Teaching School Hub & Teach First, or BPN for NPQSENCO).
Guidance on completing your application, and the questions that will be asked, can be found in the application guidance PDF below (PLEASE READ before starting your application).