National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
NPQLTD gives participants all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development.
Apply for Autumn 2025Download Course Guide
.png)
At a glance
Course duration
12 Months
Face-to-face Events
3
Online learning
34 hours
Coaching
5 hours
Total Learning Hours
74 hours
What are the benefits?
The fully blended learning approach combined with performance coaching and enrichment activities make this an exciting and valuable opportunity for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school.
The NPQLTD qualification is worth 40 Master's credits and can act as a springboard onto Liverpool Hope University’s MA in Leading in Education or the MBA in Educational Leadership.
.gif)
Benefits for participants
- Become adept in supporting initial teacher training, early career teachers as well as the wider development of all colleagues across the school
- Develop expertise across a number of specialist areas related to their role (e.g. designing professional development)
- Purpose-built virtual learning environment enabled for mobiles and tablets
- Support to pass the final assessment
- Content contextualised for your locality and updated to reflect national developments and legislation
- Facilitation and support from serving school leaders in outstanding schools and delivery at local venues
Benefits for Schools
- A leader with the ability to plan the effective delivery of in-house professional development activities targeted specifically at the school’s identified needs thus securing greater impact on staff, potential cost savings and better value for money
- Regular progress updates for mentors and headteachers
- Support succession of school leaders and build a cohesive, impact-focused school leadership team
- A professionally aware and informed leader who can make evidence-based decisions and approach leading teacher development in an effective and efficient manner
- The ability to review and evaluate practice in order to bring about change and get the best outcomes for young people and staff within the organisation
Who is it for?
The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) is suitable 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 in the first two years of their career.
Leading the development of other teachers is complex. Although the role varies, many of those leading teacher development who will take this qualification are considered to be part of the middle leadership team.
They may indirectly manage a team of mentors or coaches and their work is focussed on supporting initial teacher training, early career teachers as well as the wider development of all colleagues across the school.
NPQLTD Qualification Structure
How is NPQLTD delivered?
NPQLTD makes use of a blended delivery model consisting of face-to-face events, online study, webinars and coaching
Face-to-Face
NPQLTD 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.
The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) costs £895 plus VAT if applicable.
- Candidates from international schools should visit our NPQLTD international page
Scholarships
Future funding to support delivery of a move to a single annual cohort will be confirmed in due course following the Spending Review.
Any scholarship eligibility criteria for future NPQ cohorts will be confirmed on gov.uk.
The leadership mentor is a participant’s main point of contact for the duration of the NPQLTD. Our leadership mentors are experienced teachers and leaders who are experts in our programme curriculum. They understand first-hand the challenges teachers experience in work life. Their role is to support a participant's progress and development through the programme. They support you by:
- Providing advice and feedback throughout the programme
- Marking and responding to all of your practice task activities completed for each online course
- Providing you with feedback on each of the Formative Assessment Tasks following their completion
Our Leadership Mentors apply flexibility and are accountable to ensure success on your programme. With the above responsibilities, their main role and purpose is to help you manage your workload and ensure work life balance as much as possible whilst studying with us.
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.
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 NPQLTD, 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 NPQLTD 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 NPQLTD Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf NPQLTD Framework.
How to apply
Applications are now open for Autumn 2025. Apply below and start studying in November.
Related Courses and Content