National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
Empowering you to excel as a teacher and a school leader
The National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are designed to support the professional development of school colleagues and leaders at all levels and stages of their careers. They are perfect if you are looking to improve your skills and knowledge in your current role, take the next step in your career, move into a leadership role or develop your skills and knowledge in key areas of education pedagogy.
Specialist NPQs
* This course is also available to anyone employed:
- In a maintained nursery school in England.
- In a preschool class that’s part of a school in England.
- In a nursery that is registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.
- As a childminder registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.
The Coaching in Education Apprenticeship Level 5
We are excited to be offering The Coaching in Education Apprenticeship Level 5 in partnership with Best Practice Network! The Coaching in Education Level 5 is designed for professionals across the education sector who are involved in supporting and developing others and is fully funded by your apprenticeship levy.
To find out more, visit: Coaching in Education | Best Practice Network
What are the benefits of studying an NPQ?
- Designed for immediate impact, NPQs improve your teaching and leadership.
- Unlocks your confidence and skills to implement initiatives that will generate lasting positive change in your setting.
- They are flexible and focus on accessible bite-sized learning.
- Nationally recognised qualifications that support your professional development.
- They champion quality teaching and reflection to elevate outcomes for your pupils.
- With a culture of continuous improvement, your investment in professional development will be pivotal in supporting, nurturing and retaining teaching talent.
- You will develop evidence-based strategies, enabling you to make informed decisions and lead with confidence.
See the DfE website for more information.
There will be only one NPQ cohort next academic year, starting in Autumn 2025!
Don't miss your chance to apply for the only and only cohort of NPQs in 2025-26. If you're interested in applying for an NPQ, complete our expression of interest form today to maximise your chances of securing a funded place and be amongst the first to hear when applications go live. Details about when applications will officially open will be shared in due course.
Our providers
We deliver the full suite of NPQs on behalf of Teach First. Our programmes are tailored to our local context and needs. Our local facilitators and the Hub NPQ team will support you every step of the way. From the course introduction to the online seminars, conference days, and optional regular tutor catch-ups. We are here for you throughout the entire course and beyond.
In order to further support regional choice, we also deliver the NPQs on behalf of Best Practice Network. Our local facilitators deliver the face-to-face days and all the online content including any online learning and coaching sessions, are delivered by the Best Practice Network team.
Our NPQ offer
Committed to quality and timely delivery, we ensure that national and international research and evidence are tailored to meet our local needs, priorities, and aspirations. We offer the complete range of NPQs to colleagues at every stage of their career.
When you join our NPQ programmes, you become part of a dedicated community offering a dynamic learning experience within a collaborative professional network committed to improving outcomes for young people in our region.
There are two suites of NPQs available:
- Specialist NPQs - Designed for teachers, leaders, and support staff looking to deepen their expertise in a specific area.
- Leadership NPQ - Tailored for current and aspiring senior leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills and knowledge.
How long do courses take?
Courses last between 12 and 18 months, depending on your chosen NPQ.
How to apply?
Visit our how to apply page for further details.