National Professional Qualifications
National Professional Qualifications 2024-25
What are NPQs?
NPQ’s are an accredited qualification by the Department for Education (DfE) which provide training and support for teachers and leaders at all levels. Not only do they support the individual in developing their skills and knowledge to progress through their career but they also offer impact on the school/setting too. NPQ’s are the most widely recognised qualifications in the education sector.
The overall NPQ programme offer is part of the teacher development reforms from the DfE. These reforms are aimed at creating a ‘golden thread’ of high-quality training, development and support throughout a teachers career which are researched based and evidence informed.
They have been designed to offer flexibility to be completed around existing teaching/leadership commitments and using the latest evidence to inform them. The programmes last between 12 and 18 months, depending on the NPQ chosen.
There are 2 types of NPQ’s;
Specialist NPQs
The specialist NPQs are designed for teachers and school leaders who want to broaden their expertise in particular areas in teaching:
- Leading teaching
- Leading teacher development
- Leading behaviour and culture
- Leading literacy
- Leading Primary Mathematics
These programmes are for those who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibility in these areas of the school.
Leadership NPQs
The leadership NPQ’s are designed for those who are aspiring to progress into senior leadership and beyond;
These NPQ’s build foundational knowledge in these areas which in term rapidly progresses a trust or schools improvement priorities.
Why consider an NPQ?
There are multiple benefits to you as the induvial undertaking the NPQ programme, but there are also many benefits to your school/setting or Trust:
For the individual:
- The NPQ programmes offers great development opportunities and ongoing support for teaching and leaders which support individuals to thrive.
- They provide individuals, regardless of their daily role, with a network of other, like- minded individuals to gain experience and support from.
- The programmes will ensure your teachers/leaders develop the core knowledge and skills to prepare them for long term goals while also learning the tools needed to have an immediate positive impact in the school/setting.
- They ensure teachers/leaders are equipped with the current, up to date expertise to make a difference to the children in their class and across the school.
For the school/setting:
- NPQ’s help to retain talented teachers and leaders in your setting/school or Trust for the long term.
- NPQ’s support the ambition of the teachers/leaders in schools to ensure they are motivated for the next step in their career, ensuring succession planning for the school/setting.
- They provide opportunity for wider strategic work and improvement which is tailored to your context and children.
GLF and West Sussex Teaching School Hub have selected best Practice Network (BPN) and Teach First as their Lead Providers for NPQ’s.