NPQ Headship
Headship national professional qualification - GOV.UK
Who is this programme suitable for:
Department for Education NPQ scholarship funding is available to all
DfE-funded scholarships are available for this NPQ for all participants who are in a publicly funded school and/or 16 to 19 educational organisations in England who meets the following criteria:
-
Aspiring to be headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.
-
headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.
If you do not work in an eligible school, the NPQ in Headship costs £1,949 plus VAT.
Develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership expertise to make a lasting impact.
This 18-month National Professional Qualification (NPQ) programme is designed to strengthen leadership capability and support meaningful, sustainable improvement across educational settings.
Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise or take the next step in your leadership journey, this programme will equip you with the knowledge, confidence and practical strategies to lead with impact.
Throughout the programme, you will develop expertise in key areas including:
-
Curriculum and assessment
-
Behaviour and culture
-
Professional development
-
Governance and accountability
-
Leading and implementing improvement across educational settings
Designed with busy professionals in mind, the programme combines flexible, evidence-informed learning with practical application to ensure your development has an immediate and lasting impact in your setting.
The Programme at a Glance:
-
Duration: 18 months
-
Study commitment: Approximately 1–2 hours per week
-
Delivery model: A blend of self-directed study, collaborative group sessions and facilitated learning
-
Assessment: A written assessment at the end of the programme
Funding Opportunities:
Funding is available for teachers and educational leaders working in many state-funded settings across England, subject to eligibility criteria.
Please note that while many participants may be eligible for funded places, eligibility does not guarantee access to a funded NPQ programme.
What You Will Learn:
The programme explores a broad range of leadership themes, enabling participants to strengthen both strategic understanding and day-to-day practice.
Key areas of study include:
-
Developing a positive and purposeful culture within educational settings
-
Effective teaching and learning approaches
-
Curriculum development and assessment design
-
Establishing safe, consistent and supportive environments for pupils
-
Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
-
Professional development and staff growth
-
Organisational leadership and management
You will also deepen your understanding of:
-
Effective implementation strategies
-
Working in partnership with parents and carers
-
Governance, accountability and organisational improvement
Course Structure:
The course is designed so you can engage in live, facilitated sessions alongside modules that you can complete at any time.
The programme covers ten core topics outlined within the national NPQ framework, ensuring consistency, quality and relevance.
Training includes:
-
Independent study
-
Face-to-face learning sessions with peers and facilitators
-
Group collaborative discussions
-
Virtual clinics facilitated by experts
In addition to this: NPQH participants arrange and spend a day visiting another school/setting.
The goals of the school visits are to help leaders:
-
Gain insights into what effective application of the NPQ framework can look like in an authentic setting, beyond their own in-school experience.
-
Develop their expertise in an identified problem area of school leadership.
-
Be inspired to make improvements within their own school setting.
Commitment to the programme:
Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 1–2 hours per week to study and programme activities.