Embarking on the NPQH course in September 2019 was a daunting prospect. Having said that, the NPQH has proved to be the best CPD I have received during my time as a teacher and leader in school. The three online courses (which form part of the study towards the qualification), have been rooted in theory and research. Course leaders have gone to extraordinary lengths to provide the highest quality resources from a multitude of sources such as the DfE, Ofsted and the EEF, to name just a few. The extracts think pieces and case studies of practice have really strengthened my knowledge base and allowed me to apply theory to practice. In addition, the research has provided me with useful templates to use in my own leadership in my school setting. The face-to-face days have provided opportunities to network with other leaders and work together in high order tasks. Course leaders, such as Yvonne and Vanessa, really challenged my thinking whilst providing a supportive, confidence-building environment to develop in. Completing the NPQH gave me the self-assurance to apply for, and subsequently be accepted to study for, a PhD in Education and Psychology. Without going through the NPQH process, I doubt I would have thought it possible that my future career could be rooted in educational research. Thank you unreservedly to the Best Practice Network/Outstanding Leaders Partnership team for delivering an inspirational NPQH programme.

“I completed my NPQH with Best Practice Network (BPN) this year. I was very well supported by my tutor Vanessa over the last 12 months. I cannot thank her enough for her responses to my questions, feedback and promptings to reflect on the tasks. Her challenging questions forced me to deeply explore topics for which I am grateful. My NPQH year was very hard; I was juggling school responsibilities, teaching, staying on top of the demands of a busy job in a super busy school, and working on the NPQH tasks and assignments. It was also a challenge splitting my days at my placement school over 18 half days and using my free periods to offset them while keeping up with the reading demands of the course. It was more than worth it though! I was delighted to hear that I had passed and over the moon to see my scores. I would not have come this far without the help of my tutor and the support of BPN. I have started a new role in a new school as a Vice Principal and I am settling in well, however, I have had a brutal baptism of fire. I can only say that the NPQH has helped me thus far and got me through the toughest times. Over the last few weeks, I have reviewed most of the modules we covered and used them to help me navigate tricky matters. I am so grateful I did the NPQH and pleased I chose BPN. Thank you for your support Vanessa and Best Practice Network.”

After only a term on NPQH, I secured Headship post at my current school after quite a grilling interview! I have to say the Strategy and Improvement module online tasks and the associated reading really helped me prepare for the interview. I could plan how to discuss issues from a strategic perspective, as well as frame plans I had for the school, and how I would establish myself as the new Head Teacher. It gave me a language and a confidence boost so that when I was speaking, I could communicate like a Head Teacher in waiting. Thank you for everything that everyone is doing (especially my Online Tutor and my Coach) to help support me.

I would just like to say a huge thank you to Best Practice Network for all the support and guidance given throughout the NPQSL course. My online tutor helped me immensely with her constructive feedback during all the online assessment courses. From speaking to other candidates at the face-to-face days, I realise how lucky I was to have had a tutor who really challenged me to think about each of my leadership behaviours. I would also like to say a huge thank you to my two event day facilitators, who again taught me so much and challenged me to become a better leader. Thank you both for sharing all your invaluable leadership knowledge.

I genuinely feel like a more confident leader within a school community. The NPQSL course has provided me with practical tools to effectively evaluate my own performance and the impact of my team on the education & enrichment of the students. I feel like I can lead change and challenge the status quo, and in a manner that is sensitive and in partnership with stakeholders.

"I didn’t have enough self-discipline to fully utilise the online modules but the contact days and the prep work, prior to each contact day, helped hugely in keeping me on track (and better aware of the course expectations). At times when it was tricky to balance & prioritise the demands of the course within a busy working week, I drew real motivation from the facilitators and valued the time to refocus and become re-enthused! A lot of that was about the delivery, as well as the content delivered. I found the facilitators to be interesting, informed and inspirational!
Although the online learning modules were very rich in content and substance, without doubt, the greatest opportunities for my own professional growth and reflection were provided during those contact days. The time, vision, energy and ‘golden nuggets’ of experience & wisdom that both of my facilitators (Sally Bishop & Des Taylor) readily imparted were hugely important and a significant motivating factor in keeping me on track with the NPQH projects, reflection and learning. I always felt rejuvenated and refocused after a day with you both in lovely Luton."

I'm so glad I did my NPQH with OLP, rather than another provider. Made it so real and prepared me so well.

I got the headship! There were 19 applicants, 6 on the day and 4 for face-to-face interviews. The course was absolutely instrumental in my success at interview - I used my vision, talked about leadership behaviours, used Watkins model for the first 100 days and more. I felt so confident because of my reading and the work we’ve done on the tasks, face-to-face days and my projects. Thank you for your support and encouragement- it really helped.

I highly recommend Best Practice Network. My personal learning and CPD has had a significant impact on the understanding of how to lead a school. Support network through tutors and forums was fantastic, the level of challenge was spot on and provision for distant learners was particularly helpful. Thank you to all who helped me on this journey.

It has had a huge impact! I now have greater knowledge of whole-school leadership and how to manage change. I now also feel confident in managing whole-school finances/budgets!

"The EYITT programme gives you opportunities to develop professionally through conversations with other colleagues in different settings, through research and study packs. For childcare practitioners who are looking to progress, this is the ideal course because you get a chance to work for a good amount of time in other age groups and into school to see transitions."

This course has been very useful to me as a leader as it is the area of leadership with which I have the least experience. I feel that I have gained a much more secure understanding of identifying possible risks and how these can be addressed to reduce the possibility and impact on my project and the children’s learning. Following the completion of my project, I will continue to apply these skills throughout my journey as a leader and feel that they will be very valuable to my progression.

HLTA Status consolidates and creates recognition for the contribution TAs make to supporting their classes and school. It provides a positive development step and a sense of personal achievement.

I work together with another Assistant Principal at my school. I explained the positive impact the NPQ course was having on my work, so he also decided to undertake the course. Another aspiring leader at the school is also beginning the qualification after having a discussion with me to see if I thought it was purposeful, which I believe it is.

"As a graduate entrant, the EYITT is a great way of quickly understanding the sector and getting to grips with the role, with good support from personal tutors along the way."

Without this qualification, I would certainly not have been able to navigate through my first year of headship and all the challenges that were thrown at me. This helped me develop a strategic plan to sure up rapid improvement whilst deeply evaluating all aspects of provision modelling am an evidence-based approach to all leaders. I have also developed resilience, self-awareness and resourcefulness through the partnerships I have created.

I have really enjoyed this course. The leading professional development has been my significant leadership learning from this course. This has been a big eye opener, and reading what others are doing also was very helpful as I was able to see new ways in which we could improve our professional development.

Firstly, I would like to say I have enjoyed engaging with the resources and working group with my peers whilst learning more about ‘Teaching and curriculum Excellence. Using the NPQEL learning resources and joining the group discussions has supported my own growth mind set. I can now see the bigger picture of a changing educational landscape.

I feel that the course has given me new skills, knowledge, confidence and resilience to work in my role, share best practice and engage in genuine and meaningful collaboration with other schools. I know that I have the strong skills and drive to confidently move to a systemic leadership position within a federation or MAT.

I have now been able to secure a promotion to Deputy Head for September 2019!

HLTA Status has increased my own personal learning and given me greater confidence in delivering information to children in a fun and positive way. Also, receiving feedback from the class afterwards on how much they have enjoyed my lessons has helped to improve my ability to teach in any given learning environment.

I cannot even begin to tell you how beneficial and relevant this unit has been to me personally. It has helped me to get through certain situations far better than I ever would have had I had not done this course, and it has given me much time to reflect on the way I’ve dealt with situations too.

An outstanding day. The perfect balance between presentation, reflection and activities…Our facilitator is inspirational and manages to get people who don’t know each other working, thinking and learning together very effectively.

Today was really refreshing – to spend the time with aspiring leaders with such a range of attributes and understanding was very inspirational. The environment was set up beautifully so that we understood what was required of us and could see the benefit of the tasks to our staff and students.

Achieving HLTA Status has allowed me to gain so many more skills and get a place on a teacher training course after a few months.

It’s a recognition of going the extra mile and being able to take extra responsibility within the school. I’m so glad I gained HLTA status. I am now MFL subject leader and I also teach whole class RE, French, Cookery as well as covering short term absences.

"100% affirmed my ambitions to progress within the education sector. EYITT inspired and motivated me to learn as much as possible to effectively support, nurture and teach children in my care and I have discovered a passion for working with children with SEN. "

The online learning has been really thought-provoking and has enabled me to speak with more confidence when meeting my CEO and Trustees. Enjoying the structure and weekly tasks, which is keeping me on track. Impacting positively on my work - I have used some of the research activities in leadership meetings at school.