NPQ Programmes

Since the launch of the NPQ programme in 2021 we have supported over 900 participants through their NPQ journey.

We are proud to stand out as a provider committed to delivering high quality learning experiences. To do this, we select the very best facilitators and coaches from across our partnership to facilitate our programmes, and have created an offer we are confident meets the needs of existing aspirant leaders. 

 

Who are NPQs designed for?

Whether you are a teacher looking to deepen your expertise or a school leader wanting to stretch yourself to the next transition in your career, we offer an NPQ programme which is suitable for you. NPQs are a nationally recognised, DfE accredited suite of qualifications for teachers and school leaders. The NPQ offer covers all levels of leadership from middle to executive leadership.

 

Julie Wardle,

Primary Director Redhill Academy Trust

As the Redhill Trust Director for Primary Schools, I have seen enormous value of staff undertaking high quality NPQs to strengthen both their areas of expertise in primary education and also their leadership skills. This has been clearly evident in recent Ofsted inspections where staff who have taken NPQs have talked more eloquently and confidently about the subjects or areas they lead, to inspectors. NPQs have also helped to retain talented professionals within our organisations, who have found career opportunities through facilitation and coaching.

Paul Crossley,

Director of Teaching Redhill Academy Trust

The NPQs have had a hugely positive impact on our trust staff. The range of the offer and the role-specific nature of each programme has really allowed our leaders and prospective leaders to experience high quality training that directly links with their work in schools.

Headteachers and other leaders have commented on the increase in confidence, understanding and skills of their staff and the greater impact this is having on the children in their schools

 

Specialist NPQ Programmes

There are five specialist NPQs for teachers and leaders who want to broaden their expertise in one of the following areas:

Leading Primary Mathematics

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education – Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.


NPQLPM (Leading Primary Maths) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for teachers who lead on maths in primary schools. This course builds on the ‘Teaching for Mastery’ programme delivered by local maths hubs and on this 12-month programme, you’ll learn how to lead the development of high-quality mastery approaches to improve the quality of maths teaching and improve outcomes in your school. This programme has been developed in conjunction with Maths Mastery experts from Maths Hubs across the UK.

You can read more about this programme and the framework via Gov.uk here.

This programme is being delivered fully online.

 

Why study NPQLPM?

NPQLPM is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or April. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence based practice, in the following key areas. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school.

This course covers themes including:

Develop a school culture with a positive attitude to maths.

  • You’ll learn how pupils learn maths, so you can develop systems which help children:

  • overcome maths anxiety

  • build resilience

  • develop problem-solving strategies
     

You’ll learn how to create a culture of high expectations where teachers:

  • challenge and motivate pupils

  • give pupils high quality feedback


You’ll learn how to design maths curriculums and develop the leadership skills to help you introduce them, including how to:

  • identify the maths knowledge that pupils need

  • help pupils make connections between maths facts and concepts

  • identify gaps in pupils’ knowledge and make changes accordingly

  • plan curriculum changes so that teachers are supported

  • Support maths teachers in your school
     

You’ll learn techniques to help you support the teaching of maths, including techniques to help teachers:

  • plan and sequence lessons so that pupils can build their knowledge

  • support inclusion of pupils, for example by ensuring that the starting point is accessible to all

  • manage their workload, for example by sharing approaches to marking work

  • understand and use consistent maths vocabulary

  • Design and introduce maths curriculums

 

Who is this for?

NPQLPM is designed for teachers and leaders with responsibility for leading maths across a primary key-stage or school, or those who want to have this responsibility.

  • Teachers familiar with mastery approaches to teaching primary maths, who want to improve leadership skills in this area
  • Subject leaders in a school already engaged in the primary Teaching for Mastery programme or similar programme examples.

 

Leading Teaching

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

NPQLT (Leading Teaching): supports improvements in the quality of teaching and learning.  This course is for teachers and middle leaders who have, or want to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.

 

What will my NPQ in Leading Teaching cover?

This one-year course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

  • Helping create a culture of high expectations

  • Supporting colleagues with all aspects of their teaching

  • Contributing to effective professional development linked to teaching, curriculum and assessment

 

This course covers themes including:

  • Understanding what good teaching practice is and how to implement it

  • Supporting colleagues to design a broad and coherent curriculum

  • Planning effective lessons and stimulate your pupils’ thinking

  • Helping colleagues adapt their teaching to different needs

  • Contributing to the design of school assessment systems

  • Aligning your professional development with wider school improvement priorities

 

You can read more about this programme and framework via Gov.uk here.

 

NPQLT will support you to:

  • Develop as a specialist in areas related to your phase or subject.

  • Work with serving school leaders and subject matter experts to turn new learning into changes in your own, and others practice.

  • Access a blended learning programme that’s full of practical and tangible examples, flexible and tailored to your needs and areas of development and focus.

 

Who is this for?

The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) is designed for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibility for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.

 

Leading Behaviour and Culture

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

NPQ Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for Teachers, Support Staff and anyone working in a relevant role in a school. It’s great for those who are leading behaviour, working in a pastoral role or are working to lead inclusion whether you work in a primary or secondary school or an FE college.


 

You can read more about this programme and framework via Gov.uk here.

 

What will my NPQLBC cover?

NPQLBC is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or February. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence-based practice. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school.

This course covers units including:

  • Teaching

  • School Culture

  • Enabling Conditions for Good Behaviour

  • Complex Behavioural Needs

  • Professional Development

  • Implementation

 

 

NPQLBC will support you to:

  • Gain expertise and drive meaningful change

  • Create a positive school culture

  • Support complex behavioural needs

  • Improve pupil outcomes


Who is this for?

Do you want to learn how a thriving school culture can support excellent behaviour? NPQLBC is designed for teachers, Support Staff and anyone working in a relevant role in a school. It’s great for those who are leading behaviour, working in a pastoral role, or are working to lead inclusion – whether you work in a primary, secondary school or an FE college.

 

Leading Teacher Development

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

NPQLTD (Leading Teacher Development) is a nationally recognised, professional qualification for Teachers. It’s perfect for those who are or would like to mentor Early Careers Teachers or those who are interested in Leading Professional Development in their schools.

This programme is being delivered nationally and not lead directly by Redhill Teaching Hub.

 

Why complete an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development?

NPQLTD is a 12 month, evidence informed course. You can start in November or April. During the programme you’ll be introduced to the latest research and evidence based practice, in 4 key areas. You’ll also focus on how you can, practically, apply this research in your own school. This course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

  • implementing evidence-based professional development programmes focused on

    • improving classroom teaching

    • promoting a strong professional development culture across their school


This course covers themes including:

  • designing and delivering effective professional development

  • how to make informed evidence

  • based professional development decisions

  • techniques for tailoring and adapting support based on individual development needs

  • effective implementation

 

NPQLTD will support you to:

  • Gain confidence and develop skills in implementing evidence-based professional development programmes focused on improving classroom teaching.
  • Promote a strong professional development culture across your school.

 

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

 

Who is this for?

Are you committed to seeing your colleagues thrive? Do you get a buzz out of training and developing new and experienced teachers? If so NPQLTD is for you.

This programme is perfect for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. (e.g., CPD Leads or ECF mentors).

 

Leading Literacy

If you are interested in applying for NPQLL, please get in touch with us to discuss your options.

 

Why complete an NPQ in Leading Literacy

The National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy (NPQLL) will help attendees to develop as a specialist in areas related to their role, including developing reading, writing, language and developing others. 

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

NPQLL will support you to:

  • Gain an understanding of the core principles behind developing language, reading, and writing. Get practical tools and guidance to lead your school’s approach to literacy and collaborate with other leaders in similar roles.
  • Work with serving school leaders and subject-matter experts to turn new learning into changes in your own, and others’ practice.
  • Access a blended learning programme that is full of practical and tangible examples, flexible and tailored to your needs and areas of development and focus.

 

Who is this for?

NPQLL is designed for teachers and school leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage, or phase.

Leadership NPQ Programmes

For those looking to deepen their knowledge in, or progress into senior leadership and beyond, the following NPQs build foundational knowledge to rapidly progress your setting’s or trust’s key improvement priorities – all while creating and embedding a culture that allows your staff and children to thrive:

Special Educational Needs Coordinator

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

Become an expert leader of special educational needs.

This is a new course designed for SENCOs. It launched in Autumn 2024 and replaces the NASENCO qualification. It is a mandatory course for Special Educational Needs co-ordinators.

Our NPQ SENCO course will support you as you develop your leadership of special educational needs and equip you to build an inclusive culture in your school where every child can flourish.

A video explaining how the programme is being delivered in Cohort 9 can be found here NPQSENCO Cohort 9 Vimeo.

You can also hear more about the course from some previous participants here Why NPQSENCO?.

 

What will my NPQ SENCO cover?

The National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Coordinators will help attendees to co-ordinate special educational needs (SEN) provision throughout your school, and work alongside other leaders to build a school culture in which pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can participate meaningfully in the full life of the school, achieve ambitious outcomes and make successful transitions to their next steps.

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

This 18-month course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

  • co-ordinating special educational needs (SEN) provision throughout your school

  • working alongside other leaders to build a school culture in which pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can:

    • participate meaningfully in the full life of the school

    • achieve ambitious outcomes

    • make successful transitions to their next steps

This course covers the following topics:

  • School culture

  • Statutory framework

  • Identification of need

  • Teaching

  • Behaviour

  • Leading and managing provision

  • Professional development

  • Implementation

 

Who is this for?

All mainstream schools (including academies and free schools) must have a SENCO. The SENCO must be a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, working at the school.

This NPQ will be the mandatory qualification for SENCOs from September 2024, with teaching beginning in autumn 2024. The 3-year window to complete the mandatory qualification on taking up a SENCO post will remain following the introduction of the NPQ for SENCOs. Refer to transition to national professional qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators for further information.

This course is for:

  • special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs)

  • teachers interested in developing expertise in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or undertaking a SENCO role in future

  • school leaders

 

Senior Leadership

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

The National Professional for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) is the nationally recognised, professional qualification for Senior Leaders. Validated by the DFE and EEF, our evidence-based, rigorous NPQSL gives all aspiring or new Senior Leaders the firm foundation you’ll need to take your career to the next step.

A video explaining how the programme is being delivered in Cohort 8 can be found here NPQSL Cohort 9 Vimeo.

 

What will I learn on NPQSL?

This 18-month course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:

  • leadership knowledge and the specialist expertise needed to tackle school improvement priorities o supporting the development of a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils

  • contributing to your school’s strategic direction and establishing an environment for pupil success

  • helping ensure staff feel supported and valued


This course covers themes including:

  • school culture

  • effective teaching

  • supporting curriculum and assessment development

  • behaviour

  • additional and special educational needs

  • professional development

  • organisational management


You’ll also learn about:

  • implementation strategies

  • working in partnership with parents and carers

  • governance and accountability

 

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

 

NPQSL will support you to:

  • Develop as a leader, with some area of cross-school and whole-school responsibility.
  • Access content across a breadth of area, such as teaching, behaviour and professional development.
  • Be supported to effectively implement change and improvement in an area related to your role.

 

Who is this for?

The National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) is designed for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities.

 

Headship

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

NPQH (Headship) is the nationally recognised, professional qualification for Headteachers. Validated by the DFE and EEF, this evidence-based, rigorous NPQH gives all aspiring or new headteachers the firm foundation you’ll need to take your career to the next step.

A video explaining how the programme is being delivered in Cohort 8 can be found here NPQH Cohort 9 Vimeo

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

 

What will I learn?

​​​​​This 18-month course will help you gain confidence and develop skills in:
  • curriculum and assessment

  • behaviour

  • professional development

  • governance and accountability

  • implementing school improvements


This course covers themes including:

  • school culture

  • effective teaching

  • supporting curriculum and assessment development

  • establishing and sustaining a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils

  • additional and special educational needs

  • professional development

  • organisational management


You’ll also learn about:

  • implementation strategies

  • working in partnership with parents and carers

  • governance and accountability

 

Who is this for?

This programme is for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to become, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.

 

Early Years Leadership

If you are interested in applying for NPQEYL, please get in touch with us to discuss your options.

 

Why complete an NPQ in Early Years Leadership

The National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) is designed to deliver meaningful change in your setting.

With NPQEYL you will become part of a community of leaders across Early Years settings and contexts who share a passion for addressing educational disadvantages. Build valuable connections with other leaders from across the country and learn how they faced and overcame similar challenges. You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

 

NPQEYL will support you to:

  • Deliver a high-quality and ambitious curriculum.

  • Smooth the admissions, exclusions and appeals process.

  • Manage resources effectively.

  • Know what approach to use.

  • Ensure all children experience success.

 

Who is this for?

This NPQ is designed for all leaders in early years settings, qualified to at least Level 3 who are, or are aspiring to be; a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities, managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries, Headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities.

 

Executive Leadership

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

NPQEL (Executive Leadership) is an 18-month NPQ is for those who are, or aspiring to be, an executive headteacher, trust director or chief executive, with responsibility for leading several schools.

 

Why study the NPQEL with the Church of England?

Gemma’s story

Matthew’s story

 

Why complete an NPQ in Executive Leadership

During the NPQEL, we cover a range of themes pertinent to Executive Leaders. We support leaders to consider the complexity, challenges and opportunities of developing these key areas in multi-school settings.

The themes we explore are:

  • Trust Culture

  • Teaching

  • Organisational Management (including Finance, HR, Risk, Safeguarding)

  • Professional Development

  • Curriculum and Assessment

  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

  • Behaviour

  • Working in Partnership

  • Governance and Accountability

  • Implementation at scale


A national NPQEL cohort

We deliver our NPQEL cohort nationally, meaning that participants will have the opportunity to work with and meet colleagues from different contexts across the country. Delivering the course nationally enables us to draw nationally renowned specialists, speakers and trust leaders. To facilitate this learning, we hold three, 2-day residentials during the programme at convenient locations across the country.

 

NPQEL will support you to:

  • Improve executive leadership

  • Tailor expert advice and coaching

  • Focus on your specific needs

 

Who is this for?

For school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, an executive headteacher or have a school trust CEO role with responsibility for leading several schools.  NPQEL is designed to provide development for aspiring and current Executive Leaders, MAT leads, CEOs, Trust Improvement Directors, Executive Heads and Federation Leads.

 

Early Headship Coaching Offer

We are working in partnership with lead provider National Society for Education - Church of England (NSE) to deliver our NPQ programmes and EHCO offer.  You can find more information about NSE here - NPQ — National Society for Education.

 

Why complete the Early Headship Coaching Offer

The Early Headship Coaching Offer for New Headteachers, (formerly known as the ASO) is a targeted package of support for Headteachers in their first five years of Headship. 

 

You can read more about this programme via Gov.uk here.

A video explaining how the EHCO is being delivered in Cohort 9 can be found here EHCO Offer Cohort 9 Vimeo.

 

Are you eligible?

You are eligible for this targeted support package if you meet the following criteria:

  • You in your first five years of headship

  • You work in a state-funded school in England upon starting the training

  • You have either completed an NPQH before taking up your first headship post or are currently taking the NPQH

  • You have not withdrawn from the ASO previously.

 

Who is this for?

To take the early headship coaching offer, you need to be doing or have done the headship NPQ and be in your first five years of headship.

This targeted one-year support package has been tailored to the needs of new headteachers. It provides structured, unassessed support and networking based on the best available evidence about what makes an effective headteacher. You can complete it alongside the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, or recently after taking the NPQ in headship.

The support you receive will differ depending on your chosen provider. It may include:

  • group coaching
  • one-to-one support
  • peer networking

 

 

 

Why complete an NPQ?

The revised suite of NPQs has been refreshed to reduce the workload burden on teachers 

 

The NPQ programmes provide opportunity for applicants to gain a nationally recognised qualification 

 

Learn from a rich curriculum based on evidence-based practice 

 

Build a transferable knowledge and skill base which you can take with you if you change schools. 

 

Access training and development in a flexible way, both virtually and in regional face to face groups 

 

Network with like-minded teachers and leaders who are at a similar career stage 

 

Work alongside facilitators and coaches who have experience and expertise in the area of leadership addressed by the programme 

 

NPQ Early Bird registration now open for Cohort 9 Autumn 2025

 

 

The dynamic new NPQ frameworks are built from a rich, evidence-informed understanding of what works in school leadership, and they create a clear and exciting pathway for teachers’ progression throughout their whole careers.

- Revd Canon Nigel Genders (Chief Education Officer, Church of England)

- Paul Barber (Director, Catholic Education Service)

 

Join Us

We would love the opportunity to talk to you about any of our programmes. Please feel free to get in touch for a formal or informal conversation, to find out how we can help you progress in your career.