National professional qualifications

We are proud to be offering both specialist and leadership National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) to our schools in Kent. NPQs are a suite of DfE-accredited qualifications for school leaders, designed to support professional development.

We offer three Specialist NPQs for teachers and leaders who want to develop their knowledge and skills in specialist areas of school practice. In addition to this, we offer four Leadership NPQs for teachers and leaders who want to become senior leaders (NPQSL), headteachers (NPQH), executive headteachers (NPQEL) or early years leaders (NPQEYL).

Being partnered with Best Practice Network, we are able to offer a unique approach to NPQ delivery which means participants access individualised training based on areas they have identified as needing improvement. Our cyclical programme structure uses face-to-face training, online learning and 1:1 coaching to deliver a comprehensive learning experience that fits around busy teacher timetables.

• All NPQ programmes (including Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs) will only have one intake for 2025, beginning this Spring! There will not be an Autumn 2025 intake. 
  
  
• All state-maintained schools and academies are eligible to access scholarships for: 
  Select the links below to apply for your chosen programme.
  National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH)
  NPQ for SENCOs
  
  
• The 50% of schools with the highest % pupil premium enrolment will be eligible for full scholarship funding for the wide suite of NPQs:
  Select the links below to apply for your chosen programme and check if your school is eligible for a scholarship: NPQ scholarship school eligibility checker.
  National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)
  National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
  National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
  National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
  National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
  Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)
  
  
• The Education People have been allocated a significant proportion of the scholarship funded places available. Due to high demand, the final deadline for applications has been extended until Sunday 6 April 2025. Schools should apply asap for the best chance of receiving scholarship funding.
  
  
• Those schools not eligible for scholarship funding for the wider suite of NPQs, can still access the fully funded Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs. The Education People are working with Best Practice Network to provide the Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs across Kent. Fully funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, these programmes combine the NPQSL, NPQH or NPQEL with a Level 5 or Level 7 apprenticeship standard.

More information on Leadership Apprenticeships with NPQs - Apply now!

This will be the final cohort with full funding available for the Level 7 programmes, due to changes being implemented in late 2025. By applying now, you can secure your fully funded place.

Don't miss out on:

• gaining two prestigious awards concurrently
• Apprenticeship Levy funded NPQSL, NPQH and NPQEL pathways
• extended leadership training that goes beyond the standard NPQ curriculum
• expert support and monthly coaching sessions from seasoned tutors and coaches.

Choose the right pathway for you:
Select the links below to apply for your chosen programme.

• School Leadership Programme with NPQSL (Level 5)
• Headteacher Programme with NPQH (Level 7)
• Executive Leader Programme with NPQEL (Level 7)

If you would like to find out more, please contact us (details below) or email Best Practice Network or call: 01179 209 428.