NPQ in Headship (NPQH)

Who is it for?

This programme is for school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school.

An Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) is also available for all Headteachers who are participating in the NPQH and who are in their first five years of headship. This offer is an unassessed support package and is based on the latest available evidence on what makes an effective headteacher. The offer is designed for those early on in their headship role and will include structured support elements such as group coaching and networking opportunities.

Funding

Teachers and leaders employed in state-funded schools, as well as those employed in state-funded organisations in England that offer education to 16–19-year-olds, will be able to access DfE funded training scholarships for all NPQs. This funding will be available for the next two years, to support participants undertaking NPQs in 22/23 and 23/24.

Organisations eligible to access funded training scholarships include:

• independent special schools.
• virtual schools (Local Authority run organisations that support the education of children in care).
• hospital schools not already included in other categories of eligible organisations.
• young offender institutions.

In addition, the DfE are introducing additional payments to small schools, to enable them to support their teachers and leaders to undertake NPQs. This Targeted Support Fund will give a grant payment of £200 per participant to settings with 1-600 pupils, for every teacher or leader they employ who participates in an NPQ. Organisations that are eligible for NPQ scholarships will also be eligible for targeted support funding, with the exception of non-school based early years settings (group-based providers and childminders), virtual schools, hospital schools not already included in other categories of eligible organisations, and young offender institutions.

An Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) is also available for all Headteachers who are participating in the NPQH and who are in their first five years of headship. This offer is an unassessed support package and is based on the latest available evidence on what makes an effective headteacher. The offer is designed for those early on in their headship role and will include structured support elements such as group coaching and networking opportunities.

If your school is not eligible for DfE scholarship funding, the cost for the NPQ in Headship (NPQH) is £1,690.

Programme objectives

The programme aims to help you and your school by:

• Supporting your professional development through evidence-informed seminars and workshops
• Working alongside other aspiring headteachers to support the development of peer learning
• Developing you as a leader with whole school responsibility and to provide the tools to establish and sustain your school’s strategic direction
• Learning how to create an effective school culture and align staff in supporting and delivering your school’s mission
• Supporting the succession of school leaders and build a cohesive, impact-focused school leadership team.

Programme content and structure

This is a 21-month programme involving 18 months’ delivery through seminar workshops and self-directed on-line learning and up to three months for assessment. The programme will give participants the essential knowledge, skills and concepts underpinning the successful headship. It will do so through exploring the following content modules based on the DfE’s NPQ frameworks:

• Teaching
• School culture
• Curriculum and assessment
• Behaviour
• Additional and special needs
• Professional development
• Organisational management
• Governance and accountability.
• Implementation