NPQ Leading Literacy
NPQ Leading Literacy (NPQLL):
National professional qualification (NPQ) courses - 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 meet the following criteria:
• Teachers with responsibility for leading literacy across an educational setting, year group, key stage or phase
• Middle leaders with responsibility for literacy development within their educational setting
• Teachers and middle leaders aspiring to take on literacy leadership responsibilities
If you do not work in an eligible school, the NPQ in Leading Literacy costs £899 plus VAT.
Develop the knowledge, confidence and leadership expertise to make a lasting impact
This 12-month National Professional Qualification (NPQ) programme is designed to strengthen literacy leadership and support meaningful, sustainable improvement in reading, writing and language outcomes across educational settings.
Whether you are currently leading literacy initiatives or aspiring to take on a literacy leadership role, this programme will equip you with the knowledge, confidence and practical strategies to drive improvement and support colleagues in developing pupils’ literacy skills.
Throughout the programme, you will develop expertise in key areas including:
• Running effective literacy improvement strategies
• Supporting colleagues to develop pupils’ reading skills
• Building a culture that promotes literacy and reading for pleasure
• Leading evidence-informed approaches to literacy development
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: 12 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'll learn
The programme explores a broad range of literacy leadership themes, enabling participants to strengthen both strategic understanding and day-to-day practice.
Key areas of study include supporting colleagues to develop all pupils’:
• Language capability and wider understanding of language
• Word reading
• Reading comprehension
• Writing skills
You will also deepen your understanding of:
• Effective professional development linked to teaching, curriculum and assessment across the school
• Designing and implementing literacy improvement strategies
• Evidence-informed approaches to literacy leadership and improvement
Throughout the programme, you will gain practical models and approaches to help translate research and theory into effective literacy practice within your setting.
Benefits for You and Your Setting:
The programme is designed to strengthen both leadership confidence and literacy practice, supporting improved outcomes for staff and pupils.
Following completion of the programme, participants will be better equipped to:
• Support the development of pupils’ language and vocabulary across the curriculum
• Build a setting-wide culture that promotes reading for pleasure
• Make effective use of existing resources without creating unnecessary workload
• Support colleagues to develop pupils’ word reading through systematic synthetic phonics approaches
• Strengthen literacy outcomes through evidence-informed leadership and teaching practices
By applying effective literacy strategies, participants will be able to improve pupils’ access to learning and support success across the curriculum.
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 six core topics outlined within the national NPQ framework, ensuring consistency, quality and relevance.
Training includes:
• Independent study
• Group coaching and collaborative discussions
• Face-to-face learning sessions with peers and facilitators
Commitment to the programme:
Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 1–2 hours per week to study and programme activities.