NPQs for UK Schools
Watch the video to learn more about National Professional Qualifications with Best Practice Network the home of Outstanding Leaders Partnership.
 of Untitled design.png)
 of Untitled design(1).png)
Still completing your NPQ application? Contact us and we'll guide you through it.
Full NPQ scholarships are available for candidates from eligible schools - see NPQ Scholarship Update for more information.
What are National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)?
National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are trusted, transferable qualifications accredited by the Department for Education. They are designed to help you hone and develop the skills you already have, helping you become a more effective leader inside and outside the classroom.
How are NPQs being reformed?
From September 2021, reformed National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) will offer teachers and leaders clearer development opportunities and career progression. These qualifications will build on key areas of the Early Career Framework (ECF), allowing for further specialisation and development of expertise and help prepare teachers and leaders the next step in their careers.
The reformed qualifications aim to:
- help teachers hone and develop the skills they already have, helping them to become more effective leaders inside and outside the classroom and improving overall teaching quality
- retain high-calibre teachers by offering clearer development opportunities and career progression
To best address the broad range of responsibilities of current and aspiring middle leaders the Middle Leadership NPQ has been replaced with three new specialist NPQs. These specialist areas cover:
- supporting the training and development of others, including early career teachers
- developing teachers who are subject leads or responsible for improving teaching practice in a subject or phase
- developing teachers who have responsibilities for leading behaviour and culture
These new and updated NPQs will ensure these qualifications continue to offer the best possible support to teachers and leaders wanting to expand their knowledge and skills, and can help them in taking the next step in their careers.
Which NPQs do you offer?
As the leading NPQ provider, Best Practice Network is able to offer all 6 of the available NPQs. See the tables below for details.
| NPQLT | NPQLBC | NPQLTD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who's it for? |
For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase. |
For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school. |
For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. |
| Duration | 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
|
Face-to-face events |
18 hours |
18 hours |
18 hours |
|
Online course study |
34 hours |
34 hours |
34 hours |
|
Performance coaching |
6 hours |
6 hours |
6 hours |
|
FATs (In-school Practice Application of learning) |
18 hours |
18 hours |
18 hours |
|
Summative assessment stage |
Case Study scenario |
Case Study scenario |
Case Study scenario |
| Leadership NPQs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NPQSL | NPQH | NPQEL | |
| Who's it for? |
For those who are, or aspire to be, senior leaders leading across a school |
Aspiring or current headteachers leading a school |
For those who are, or aspire to be, executive leaders with responsibility across more than one school (for example within a MAT or diocese |
| Duration | 18 months | 18 months | 18 months |
|
Face-to-face events |
24 hours |
30 hours |
36 hours |
|
Online course study |
38 hours |
38 hours |
38 hours |
|
Performance coaching |
10 hours |
10 hours |
10 hours |
|
FATs (In-school Practice Application of learning) |
20 hours |
28 hours |
34 hours |
|
Summative assessment stage |
Case Study scenario |
Case Study scenario |
Case Study scenario |
| Learn More | |||
Why take an NPQ?
NPQs can have a measurable impact on schools and pupils.
NPQs are suitable for school leaders at each stage of their career, starting with Middle Leadership and progressing to Senior Leadership, Headship and Executive Leadership. Benefits for schools include:
- Increased workforce capacity, capability and confidence
- Staff retention and succession
- Research-based improvement activity addressing priority needs
Why choose OLP?
.png){kind=small}
Best Practice Network is a national, school-led partnership recently rated as ‘exceptional’ by the DfE Quality Assurance Agent.
The quality review was based on the DfE National Professional Qualification (NPQ) Quality Framework. The reviewers examined leadership and governance, face-to-face delivery, online courses, candidate, facilitator and tutor support, assessment, organisation, quality control, marketing and recruitment, as well as the DfE metrics and impact. The reviewers identified exceptional performance in most areas of the Quality Framework.
Read the full summary of our DfE Quality Review results here.
"I got the headship! The course was absolutely instrumental in my success at interview – I felt so confident because of my reading and the work we’ve done on the face-to-face days and projects. Thank you for your support and encouragement – it really helped.”"