National Professional Qualification
for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
For teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.
Deepen your understanding of pedagogy and the science of learning
Awards 30 Master's Credits
Develop the skills to help colleagues plan effective lessons
Free to Access for State Funded Schools in England
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National Professional Qualification (NPQ): Leading Teaching
NPQLT gives participants all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin the successful leadership of teaching. Participants will cover ‘learn that’ and ‘learn how to’ statements in nine areas:
- 1 – Teaching
- 2 – School Culture
- 3 – How Pupils Learn
- 4 – Subject and Curriculum
- 5 – Classroom Practice
- 6 – Adaptive Teaching
- 7 – Assessment
- 8 – Professional Development
- 9 – Implementation
- See NPQLT Framework tab for full programme content.
What are the benefits?
The fully blended learning approach combined with performance coaching and enrichment activities make this an exciting and valuable opportunity for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.
The NPQLT qualification is aligned to Masters credits and can act as a springboard on to Liverpool Hope University’s MA in Leading in Education or the MBA in Educational Leadership.
Benefits for Participants
- Become adept at supporting effective teaching across school
- Develop expertise across a number of specialist areas related to their role (e.g. curriculum and assessment)
- Purpose-built virtual learning environment enabled for mobiles and tablets
- Guaranteed support to pass the final assessment
- Content contextualised for your locality and updated to reflect national developments and legislation
- Facilitation and support from serving school leaders in outstanding schools and delivery at local venues
Benefits for Schools
- Regular progress updates for mentors and headteachers
- Support succession of school leaders and build a cohesive, impact-focused school leadership team
- A professionally aware and informed leader who can make evidence-based decisions and approach the leading of teaching in an effective and efficient manner
- The ability to review and evaluate practice in order to bring about change and get the best outcomes for young people and staff within the organisation
How is NPQLT delivered?
NPQLT makes use of a blended delivery model consisting of face-to-face events, online study, webinars and coaching.
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NPQLT participants will attend 3 face-to-face events via the blended delivery model. Our nationwide partnership delivery network allows us to bring face-to-face training to a school near you and facilitated by local school leaders.
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Participants access online learning and support via our virtual learning environment (VLE) Canvas. Through Canvas, participants are able to engage with learning communities of peers and access multimedia content. They can also access research and expert school-led practice aligned to the curriculum content for the qualification and receive high-quality feedback from experienced online mentors and in-school coaches.
NPQLT Qualification Structure
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In-School Performance Coach
Participants will need to nominate an In-School Performance Coach who will undertake a minimum of 6 hours in-school performance coaching throughout the 12 month development stage of the programme.
It is the role of the In-School Performance Coach to set specific goals to support the completion of the NPQ and to support with programme study, direction and learning development. Professional training and development is provided to the coach before the NPQ commences. See the In-School Performance Coach guide for more information.
Who is this for?
The National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) – is for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase.
Leading teaching is complex. Although the role varies, many phase leaders, key stage leaders, heads of department (or similar titles) are considered to be part of the middle leadership team. They often directly manage a team of teachers and their work is focussed on supporting effective teaching across the school.
Requirements
Applicants must have completed 2 full years of teaching.
All applicants must have either QTS, QTLS, a Level 5 (or higher) qualification (any subject), or an international equivalent (see below). You must be able to evidence this with a copy of your certificate.
For those with QTS, you can download a copy of your certificate here https://teacherservices.education.gov.uk/SelfService/Login.
For those with QTLS, you can download a copy of your certificate here https://set.et-foundation.co.uk/my-set/my-profile. If for any reason you are unable to provide a copy of your certificate, you will need to ask a representative from the school where you are teaching to contact Capita Teachers' Pensions. Your employer should know how to do this via the Capita employer portal https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/.
If do not have QTS or QTLS, you will need evidence completion of a Level 5 qualification (any subject). For International applicants, you will need to apply for a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability https://enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx to demonstrate your Level 5 qualification is comparable to UK qualifications.
What does it cost?
Scholarships
Teachers and leaders employed in state-funded schools as well as those employed in state-funded organisations that offer 16-19 places in England will be able to access fully-funded DfE NPQ scholarships for the Spring 2022 NPQ Intake. The scholarships cover the full cost of the qualification and there is no limit to how many scholarships can be awarded to a single school. Simply apply for NPQLT and we will apply for the scholarship on your behalf.
To view the full range of NPQ scholarships and funding pathways available please visit NPQ Funding 2021
Access to funding remains conditional on successful verification of participants’ registration information against Teaching Regulation Agency records, so you must ensure that the information supplied to your NPQ provider matches your teacher record. You can check and update your record via the Teaching Regulation Agency’ Teacher Self-Service Portal.
NPQLT Framework
Please see the NPQLTD Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf here.
Next Steps
When you are ready to apply please visit the Online Application Form.
You will need to identify and nominate a sponsor. This should be someone with a detailed and professional knowledge of the applicant’s work, impact, professional characteristics, and leadership behaviours.
You will also need to identify an in-school performance coach who might be the same person as your sponsor. Please see In-School Performance Coach for more information about the role.
