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.

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.

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 focused on enhancing the educational outcomes of young people in our region. With a 100% pass rate for all our courses, our network is truly exceptional.

There are two suites of NPQs available. The specialist suite is for teachers, leaders and support colleagues who would like to increase their knowledge and skills in a specialist area. The leadership suite is for current or aspiring senior leaders.

Specialist NPQs

Leadership NPQs

Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
Headship (NPQH)
Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)*
NPQ for SENCOs
Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)

* 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.
Ina a nursery that is registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.
As a childminder registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.

How long do courses take?

Courses last between 12 and 18 months, depending on your chosen NPQ.

Applications for Autumn 2024

Applications are now open for our NPQ programmes starting autumn 2024.

How to apply?

Visit our how to apply page for further details.