National Professional Qualifications

National Professional Qualifications

The next round of NPQs begins in November 2026. Applications are likely to open in the summer term in 2026 – dates and funding arrangements will be confirmed by national providers and the DfE prior to the application window opening. To express an interest and to be notified when the next round of applications is opening, please complete our expression of interest form

Find out more about funding

Please note our other previous lead provider, Education Development Trust, (EDT) no longer offer NPQs so we will continue working with one lead provider: Ambition Institute.

Early Years Children

National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

In 18 months, you will develop your leadership knowledge and expertise to grow as a leader in our diverse early years sector.

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)

In 18 months, you will develop your leadership knowledge and expertise to improve outcomes for teachers and pupils in your school.

National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH)

Within 18 months, you will develop the knowledge that underpins expert school leadership and apply it to become an effective headteacher.

Early headship Coaching Offer (EHCO)

Are you a new headteacher in your first 5 years of the role? Available alongside the NPQH, our EHCO partners you with an experienced Headteacher coach to provide you with personalised support and guidance so you can solve problems relevant to your school's context.

National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL)

In 18 months, and delivered centrally by Ambition Institute, you will develop your leadership knowledge and expertise to become an effective executive leader, leading change and improvement across a group of schools or multi-academy trust.

National Professional Qualification in Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

In 12 months this programme will help you to discover what outstanding teaching looks like and use this knowledge to become a high performing leader of teaching.

National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)

In 12 months, this programme will support you to develop expertise in behaviour management and discover how to create a culture where staff and pupils can thrive.

National Professional Qualification in Leading Literacy (NPQLL)

In 12 months this programme will help you become a true champion of literacy. You’ll develop a thorough understanding of how you can improve literacy in your subject, phase and school, using the latest evidence-based research.

National Professional Qualification for Leading Primary Maths (NPQLPM)

In this 12-month programme, you’ll benefit from our evidence-informed curriculum to help you build your knowledge as a leader of mathematics.

National Professional Qualification for SENCOs – NPQ for SENCOs

In 18 months, you will develop your leadership knowledge and expertise to grow as a leader of SEND. This is a new course designed for SENCOs. It begins in autumn 2024 and replaces the NASENCO qualification.

National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)

In 12 months this programme will support you to gain knowledge to become a teacher educator and successfully support teachers in your school to expand their skills.