NPQ Leading Literacy
National professional qualification (NPQ) courses - GOV.UK
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Who is this programme suitable for:
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Department for Education NPQ scholarship funding is available to all.
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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
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If you do not work in an eligible school, the NPQ in Leading Literacy costs £899 plus VAT.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Key areas of study include supporting colleagues to develop all pupils’:
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• Language capability and wider understanding of language
• Word reading
• Reading comprehension
• Writing skills
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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
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Throughout the programme, you will gain practical models and approaches to help translate research and theory into effective literacy practice within your setting.
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Benefits for You and Your Setting:
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The programme is designed to strengthen both leadership confidence and literacy practice, supporting improved outcomes for staff and pupils.
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Following completion of the programme, participants will be better equipped to:
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• 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
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By applying effective literacy strategies, participants will be able to improve pupils’ access to learning and support success across the curriculum.
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Course Structure:
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The course is designed so you can engage in live, facilitated sessions alongside modules that you can complete at any time.
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The programme covers six core topics outlined within the national NPQ framework, ensuring consistency, quality and relevance.
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Training includes:
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• Independent study
• Group coaching and collaborative discussions
• Face-to-face learning sessions with peers and facilitators
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Commitment to the programme:
Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 1–2 hours per week to study and programme activities.