National Professional Qualifications Overview
Our suite of NPQs offers the best possible support to teachers and leaders to help them become more effective teachers and leaders inside and outside the classroom.
LEADERSHIP NPQs
Senior Leadership (NPQSL) for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities.
Headship (NPQH) for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.
Executive Leadership (NPQEL) for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, an executive headteacher or have a school trust CEO role with responsibility for leading several schools.
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 or maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities.
Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) This NPQ will be the mandatory qualification for SENCOs from September 2024. The 3-year window to complete the mandatory qualification on taking up a SENCO post will remain following the introduction of the NPQ for SENCOs. It is also open to Senior and other leaders with responsibility for SEND.
SPECIALIST NPQs
Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. They may have responsibilities for the development of all teachers across a school or specifically trainees or teachers who are early in their career.
Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school.
Leading Teaching (NPQLT) for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.
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.
Leading Primary Maths (NPQLPM) NPQ in Leading Primary Maths now launched for from February 2024 with the National Institute of Teaching. This is an innovative new programme, providing the opportunity for Maths Leads and aspiring leaders of Maths to learn how to embed Maths Mastery effectively across their setting. This programme builds on participants’ knowledge of Maths Mastery, for example through prior participation in the Maths Hubs’ Teaching for Mastery programme.
Watch the webinar below for more details on the Specialist NPQs:
You can access the content frameworks for NPQs at National professional qualification frameworks or read our EBook.
Early Headship Coaching Offer (Previously known as the ‘Additional Support Offer for New Headteachers’)
This DfE fully funded, unassessed support programme, provides a great opportunity for new headteachers within their first two years of headship who have done an NPQH or are currently doing NPQH to follow a personalised pathway of support activities. Options include one to one leadership coaching, learning networks, access to a library of latest research and ‘core business’ recordings about practical aspects of headship. Attached you will find a programme overview, alternatively visit the Best Practice webpage or contact headshipsupport@bestpracticenet.co.uk for more information.
