NPQ Programmes

Become an expert leader of special educational needs.

This is a new course designed for SENCOs. It launched in Autumn 2024 and replaces the NASENCO qualification. It is a mandatory course for Special Educational Needs co-ordinators.

Our NPQ SENCO course will support you as you develop your leadership of special educational needs and equip you to build an inclusive culture in your school where every child can flourish.

Hear more about the course from previous participants below.

Who this course is for?

This course is for:

• Special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs).

• Teachers interested in developing expertise in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or undertaking a SENCO role in future.

• School leaders.

What will my NPQSENCO cover?

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

• Co-ordinating special educational needs (SEN) provision throughout your school

• Working alongside other leaders to build a school culture in which pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can:

  • Participate meaningfully in the full life of the school

  • Achieve ambitious outcomes

  • Make successful transitions to their next steps
     

This course covers the following topics:

• School culture

• Statutory framework

• Identification of need

• Teaching

• Behaviour

• Leading and managing provision

• Professional development

• Implementation

How much will it cost?

NPQ Senco is fully funded for all teachers and leaders in state-funded schools, places remain limited, so early application is advised.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQSL is the nationally recognised, professional qualification for Senior Leaders. Validated by the DFE and EEF, our evidence-based, rigorous NPQSL gives all aspiring or new Senior Leaders the firm foundation you’ll need to take your career to the next step.

A video explaining how the programme is being delivered in Cohort 8 can be found below.

What will I learn on NPQSL?

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

• Leadership knowledge and the specialist expertise needed to tackle school improvement priorities o supporting the development of a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils.

• Contributing to your school’s strategic direction and establishing an environment for pupil success.

• Helping ensure staff feel supported and valued.

This course covers themes including:

• School culture.

• Effective teaching.

• Supporting curriculum and assessment development.

• Behaviour.

• Additional and special educational needs.

• Professional development.

• Organisational management.

You’ll also learn about:

• Implementation strategies.

• Working in partnership with parents and carers.

• Governance and accountability.

Completing this NPQ has been a very enlightening and uplifting experience. The content of the course is very detailed and comprehensive, and I have been very fortunate in having exceptional facilitators and coaches for the sessions.

- Helen Levey, St Peter and St Paul's, Lincs

How much will it cost?

NPQ Senior Leadership is fully funded for all teachers and leaders in state-funded schools, places remain limited, so early application is advised.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQH (Headship) is the nationally recognised, professional qualification for Headteachers. Validated by the DFE and EEF, this evidence-based, rigorous NPQH gives all aspiring or new headteachers the firm foundation you’ll need to take your career to the next step.

This programme is for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to become, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.

A video explaining how the programme is being delivered in Cohort 8 can be found below.

What will I learn on NPQH?

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

• Curriculum and assessment.

• Behaviour.

• Professional development.

• Governance and accountability.

• Implementing school improvements.

This course covers themes including:

• School culture.

• Effective teaching.

• Supporting curriculum and assessment development.

• Establishing and sustaining a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils.

• Additional and special educational needs.

• Professional development.

• Organisational management.

You’ll also learn about:

• Implementation strategies.

• Working in partnership with parents and carers.

• Governance and accountability.

I decided to complete NPQH because I have aspirations to become a Headteacher, and felt that this would be a good development opportunity. On the whole I found the experience insightful, interesting and valuable.

My advice to anyone considering NPQH would be to do the reading and research, as it expands your thinking as a prospective Headteacher.

- Stephanie Spence, Deputy Headteacher, The Bolsover School

How much will it cost?

NPQ Headship is fully funded for all teachers and leaders in state-funded schools, places remain limited, so early application is advised.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQEL (Executive Leadership) is an 18-month NPQ is 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.  NPQEL is designed to provide development for aspiring and current Executive Leaders, MAT leads, CEOs, Trust Improvement Directors, Executive Heads and Federation Leads.

Why study the NPQEL with the Church of England?
 

Gemma’s story

Matthew’s story

Why complete an NPQ in Executive Leadership

During the NPQEL, we cover a range of themes pertinent to Executive Leaders. We support leaders to consider the complexity, challenges and opportunities of developing these key areas in multi-school settings.

The themes we explore are:

• Trust Culture

• Teaching

• Organisational Management (including Finance, HR, Risk, Safeguarding)

• Professional Development

• Curriculum and Assessment

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

• Behaviour

• Working in Partnership

• Governance and Accountability

• Implementation at scale

A national NPQEL cohort

We deliver our NPQEL cohort nationally, meaning that participants will have the opportunity to work with and meet colleagues from different contexts across the country. Delivering the course nationally enables us to draw nationally renowned specialists, speakers and trust leaders. To facilitate this learning, we hold three, 2-day residentials during the programme at convenient locations across the country. The video below gives a flavour of one of our recent residentials in Manchester.

How much will it cost?

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost is available to teachers and leaders from eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings that have high levels of disadvantage.

To see if you are eligible for funding, look at the DfE eligibility lists here: eligible schools.

For paying schools, the cost for NPQEL is £4085 plus VAT.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes and EHCO offer.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

Why complete the Early Headship Coaching Offer

The Early Headship Coaching Offer for New Headteachers, (formerly known as the ASO) is a targeted package of support for Headteachers in their first five years of Headship. 

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

A video explaining how the EHCO is being delivered in Cohort 9 can be found here EHCO Offer Cohort 9 Vimeo.

Are you eligible?

You are eligible for this targeted support package if you meet the following criteria:

• You in your first five years of headship

• You work in a state-funded school in England upon starting the training

• You have either completed an NPQH before taking up your first headship post or are currently taking the NPQH

• You have not withdrawn from the ASO previously.

Who is this for?

To take the early headship coaching offer, you need to be doing or have done the headship NPQ and be in your first five years of headship.

This targeted one-year support package has been tailored to the needs of new headteachers. It provides structured, unassessed support and networking based on the best available evidence about what makes an effective headteacher. You can complete it alongside the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, or recently after taking the NPQ in headship.

The support you receive will differ depending on your chosen provider. It may include:

• group coaching
• one-to-one support
• peer networking

NPQLPM (Leading Primary Maths) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for teachers who lead on maths in primary schools. This course builds on the ‘Teaching for Mastery’ programme delivered by local maths hubs and on this 12-month programme, you’ll learn how to lead the development of high-quality mastery approaches to improve the quality of maths teaching and improve outcomes in your school. This programme has been developed in conjunction with Maths Mastery experts from Maths Hubs across the UK.

You can read more about this programme and the framework via Gov.uk here.

This programme is being delivered fully online.

Why study NPQLPM?

NPQLPM is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or April. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence based practice, in the following key areas. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school.

This course covers themes including:

Develop a school culture with a positive attitude to maths.

1. You’ll learn how pupils learn maths, so you can develop systems which help children:

• Overcome maths anxiety

• Build resilience

• Develop problem-solving strategies
   

2. You’ll learn how to create a culture of high expectations where teachers:

• Challenge and motivate pupils

• Give pupils high quality feedback

3. You’ll learn how to design maths curriculums and develop the leadership skills to help you introduce them, including how to:

• Identify the maths knowledge that pupils need

• Help pupils make connections between maths facts and concepts

• Identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and make changes accordingly

• Plan curriculum changes so that teachers are supported

• Support maths teachers in your school
   

4. You’ll learn techniques to help you support the teaching of maths, including techniques to help teachers:

• Plan and sequence lessons so that pupils can build their knowledge

• Support inclusion of pupils, for example by ensuring that the starting point is accessible to all

• Manage their workload, for example by sharing approaches to marking work

• Understand and use consistent maths vocabulary

• Design and introduce maths curriculums

Who is this for?

NPQLPM is designed 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
• Subject leaders in a school already engaged in the primary Teaching for Mastery programme or similar programme examples.

How much will it cost?

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost is available to teachers and leaders from eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings that have high levels of disadvantage.

To see if you are eligible for funding, look at the DfE eligibility lists here: eligible schools.

For paying schools, the cost for NPQLPM is £890 plus VAT.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQLT (Leading Teaching): supports improvements in the quality of teaching and learning.  

This course is for teachers and middle leaders who have, or want to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase. 

What will my NPQ in Leading Teaching cover?

This one-year course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

• Helping create a culture of high expectations

• Supporting colleagues with all aspects of their teaching

• Contributing to effective professional development linked to teaching, curriculum and assessment

This course covers themes including:

• Understanding what good teaching practice is and how to implement it

• Supporting colleagues to design a broad and coherent curriculum

• Planning effective lessons and stimulate your pupils’ thinking

• Helping colleagues adapt their teaching to different needs

• Contributing to the design of school assessment systems

• Aligning your professional development with wider school improvement priorities

You can read more about this programme and framework via Gov.uk here.

NPQLT will support you to:

• Develop as a specialist in areas related to your phase or subject.

• Work with serving school leaders and subject matter experts to turn new learning into changes in your own, and others practice.

• Access a blended learning programme that’s full of practical and tangible examples, flexible and tailored to your needs and areas of development and focus.

How much will it cost?

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost is available to teachers and leaders from eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings that have high levels of disadvantage.

To see if you are eligible for funding, look at the DfE eligibility lists here: eligible schools.

For paying schools, the cost for NPQLT is £890 plus VAT.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for Teachers, Support Staff and anyone working in a relevant role in a school. 

Do you want to learn how a thriving school culture can support excellent behaviour? NPQLBC is designed for teachers, Support Staff and anyone working in a relevant role in a school. It’s great for those who are leading behaviour, working in a pastoral role, or are working to lead inclusion – whether you work in a primary, secondary school or an FE college.

You can read more about this programme and framework via Gov.uk here.

What will my NPQLBC cover?

NPQLBC is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or February. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence-based practice. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school.

This course covers:

• Teaching

• School Culture

• Enabling Conditions for Good Behaviour

• Complex Behavioural Needs

• Professional Development

• Implementation

NPQLBC will support you to:

• Gain expertise and drive meaningful change

• Create a positive school culture

• Support complex behavioural needs

• Improve pupil outcomes

How much will it cost?

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost is available to teachers and leaders from eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings that have high levels of disadvantage.

To see if you are eligible for funding, look at the DfE eligibility lists here: eligible schools.

For paying schools, the cost for NPQLBC is £890 plus VAT.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.

NPQLTD (Leading Teacher Development) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for Teachers.

Are you committed to seeing your colleagues thrive? Do you get a buzz out of training and developing new and experienced teachers? If so NPQLTD is for you.

This programme is perfect for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. or those who are or would like to mentor Early Careers Teachers.

Why complete an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development?

NPQLTD is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or April. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence based practice, in 4 key areas. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school.

This course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

• Implementing evidence-based professional development programmes focused on

  • Improving classroom teaching

  • Promoting a strong professional development culture across their school

This course covers themes including:

• Designing and delivering effective professional development

• How to make informed evidence

• Based professional development decisions

• Techniques for tailoring and adapting support based on individual development needs

• Effective implementation

NPQLTD will support you to:

• Gain confidence and develop skills in implementing evidence-based professional development programmes focused on improving classroom teaching.
• Promote a strong professional development culture across your school.

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

I decided to complete NPQLTD because I am interested in developing my own pedagogical practice, and supporting other colleagues to develop their personal practice. It's a really worthwhile programme, I found the whole experience really interesting.

- Libby Hale, Hall Park Academy

How much will it cost?

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost is available to teachers and leaders from eligible schools and 16 to 19 settings that have high levels of disadvantage.

To see if you are eligible for funding, look at the DfE eligibility lists here: eligible schools.

For paying schools, the cost for NPQLTD is £890 plus VAT.

How to apply?

Apply now and express your interest by completing the early bird form below.