National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are a national, voluntary suite of qualifications designed to support the professional development of teachers and school leaders. They equip teachers with the expertise to lead sustainable improvement across their schools.

NPQs are designed to:

• provide training and support for teachers and leaders at all levels
• be completed flexibly around existing commitments
• deliver improved outcomes for children and young people

If you’re a teacher or leader, an NPQ can help you:

• improve your skills
• progress in your career

Funding

Scholarship funding for autumn 2024

Funding for autumn 2024 will target those teachers and leaders who work in the most challenging schools or educational settings, serving more disadvantaged communities.

Scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost will be available to teachers and leaders from:

• the 50% of schools with the highest proportion of students who attract pupil premium funding
• 16 to 19 educational settings identified as having high disadvantage
• For the early years leadership NPQ, highly disadvantaged early years settings will also be eligible.   

Scholarships will continue to be available to all teachers and leaders from publicly funded schools and 16 to 19 educational organisations for the following NPQs:

• Leading primary maths
• SENCO  (NPQSEN)
• Headship (NPQH)

For the early headship coaching offer, funding to cover the course fees will be available if you are in your first 5 years of headship in England in a state-funded school or state-funded 16 to 19 organisation. You should also be doing or have done the headship NPQ. 

For more information, follow the link below.

NPQ Programmes

NPQs can be divided into two groups:

• Leadership programmes, covering senior leadership; headship; executive leadership; SENCO and early years leadership.
• Specialist programmes, covering the leadership of teaching; behaviour and culture; teacher development; primary mathematics and literacy.

How to Apply:

The Department for Education (DfE) are currently accepting registrations for the Autumn 2024 cohort. Use the link below to access the portal and register today!

Leadership NPQs:

Specialist NPQs: