National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

How is NPQLT delivered?

NPQLT makes use of a blended delivery model consisting of face-to-face events, online study, webinars and coaching

Face-to-Face

NPQLT participants will attend 3 face-to-face events via the blended delivery model. Our nationwide delivery partnership network allows us to bring face-to-face training to a training centre in your region, facilitated by experienced school leaders and facilitators.

Online Learning

Participants access online learning and support via our virtual learning environment (VLE) Canvas. Through Canvas, participants are able to engage with their learning communities of peers and access multimedia content. They can also access research and expert-led school practice aligned to the curriculum content for the qualification and receive high-quality feedback from experienced performance coaches.

NPQLT Qualification Structure

The leadership mentor is a participant’s main point of contact for the duration of the NPQLT. Their role is to support a participant's progress and development through the programme. They will respond to practice task activities completed for each online course and provide challenge and feedback on each of the formative assessment tasks following their completion. At the end of the programme, in conjunction with their mentor and in-school performance coach, participants will evaluate the impact of the programme on their leadership development and the benefits to their school.

The in-school performance coach, nominated by the participant’s school, will offer support, guidance and challenge to a participant through six planned coaching sessions. They will provide feedback following their completion of formative assessment tasks and monitor and support participant progress through the programme. At the end of the programme, in conjunction with their mentor and in-school performance coach, participants will evaluate the impact of the programme on their leadership development and the benefits to their school. See the In-School Performance Coach (ISPC) Handbook for more information.

The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) costs £895 plus VAT if applicable.

• VAT will not be applied to DfE funded candidates or state-funded schools
• Candidates from international schools should visit our NPQLT international page

Scholarships

Scholarships have been confirmed for the Autumn NPQ intake as part of the government's long-term education recovery plan.

From Autumn 2022, organisations eligible to access scholarships include:

• State-funded schools
• State-funded 16 to 19 organisations
• Independent special schools
• Virtual schools (local authority run organisations that support the education of children in care)
• Hospital schools not already included in other categories of eligible organisations
• Young offender institutions

Local authority employed supply teachers will also be able to access scholarships.

Targeted Support Funding

The department has updated the Targeted Support Fund offer for the 2023 to 2024 academic year to further incentivise state-funded schools and state-funded 16-19 educational settings in England to participate in NPQs.

For each teacher or leader they employ who takes an NPQ in the 2023 to 2024 academic year:

• State-funded primary schools with one to 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £800
• State-funded primary schools with more than 150 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200
• State-funded secondary schools and state-funded 16 to 19 educational settings with one to 600 pupils will receive a grant payment of £200

Targeted support funding is not available for participants taking the Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) unless they're also taking another NPQ course.

If you work in a school, you can search the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) database to check how many pupils are recorded for your school.

If you work in a 16 to 19 education setting, you can check the list of 16 to 19 organisations eligible for targeted support funding in the academic year 2023 to 2024.

Applicants must have full support from their school/organisation. A head teacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoritative role) must confirm their support and that all information submitted is true and correct. This is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.

To apply for NPQLT, applicants must have the following:

• Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
• 2 years teaching experience
• Leadership aspiration/experience

If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact our team who will be able to support your application.

The DfE’s NPQLT framework is based on a robust method of design and development, building on the evidence base and expert guidance already established in the ECF and the ITT Core Content Framework. The NPQ frameworks reflect the Teachers’ Standards and Headteachers' Standards to ensure coherency with the requirements already used by the teaching profession.

Please see the NPQLT Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf here.