1. Who should attend the Leading from the Middle (LftM) programme?
LftM is available to a wide range of middle leaders in subject-based and pastoral roles and with different levels of experience. The online materials and experience of tutors reflect this variation. Experience has shown that participants with between two and six years' experience in a middle-leader role gain maximum benefit from participating in LftM.
Examples of eligible middle leader roles include:
2. Will Fast Track teachers have access to LftM?
Yes. Fast Track teachers are eligible to apply for the programme. Please read our eligibility criteria.
3. Do applicants need Qualified Teacher Status?
Applicants do not have to have Qualified Teacher Status.
4. Does my headteacher have to recommend me for this programme?
It is important to have the permission and support of your headteacher, especially concerning funding. Please refer to the Leading from the Middle partnership statement 
(73kb, 3 pages) for further information.
5. Currently I do not work in a school. Can my application be considered?
Yes, your application may be considered. Please contact your regional provider for more information about applying.
6. I do not quite meet 100 per cent of the eligibility criteria – will you still consider my application?
If you are unsure about your eligibility to embark on the programme, please contact your regional provider for guidance and advice.
7. Are there any pre-requisite programmes I must complete before I can do the LftM programme?
No. Please refer to our eligibility criteria.
8. Is the LftM programme a pre-requisite for any other programmes?
No. Completing LftM does not provide automatic access to other programmes, but does enable you to gather evidence for future applications. Please refer to the eligibility criteria for the other NCSL programmes.
9. I’m not sure this is the right programme for me. Who can advise me?
Please refer to your regional provider for guidance.
10. How ICT literate do I need to be?
You will need to be able to navigate a web page.
1. Do I need to know who my leadership coach will be before I apply?
Yes. It is the leadership coach for your group who should submit the online application.
2. Who should be my coach and who decides this?
The leadership coach role is usually undertaken by an effective, experienced leader who is committed to making the programme work for the good of the participants and the school. The coach should be decided within your school.
3. I cannot identify a coach in my school. What should I do?
If you are able to locate a coach, it may be possible to become part of an application from a school in your area. Alternatively you should seek guidance from your regional provider.
4. What does the role of the in-school coach involve?
The purpose of the leadership coach is to facilitate participants' in-school learning by supporting them and challenging them to extend their practice in a number of ways:
Coaching sessions will be a combination of one-to-one and a whole learning set.
5. What is the level of participation by my coach? Is there any training or development for my coach?
Potential coaches need to be aware of the continuous commitment needed to fulfil the role to its full extent. At a basic level, leadership coaches need to:
The face-to-face commitment of the leadership coach involves attending:
Please see Leadership coach - role and skill development 
(58kb, 7 pages) for further information.
1. How do I apply?
Please go to our How to apply section for more information.
2. Can I apply by submitting a printed copy of the application form?
No. Our application process is entirely online.
3. Does this programme accept applications from both groups and individuals?
Applications are only accepted on behalf of groups of two to four middle leaders, plus one coach. The programme is designed around the model of a learning set in school; therefore you will need to identify other middle leaders willing to work with you. If you are in a small school of 100 pupils or fewer, or are unable to identify another middle leader within your school, you can form a group across two, three or four local schools with one leadership coach. For further guidance on applying in this way as a small school - please contact your regional provider.
4. Do I have to use my local provider, or can I apply to use a provider in another area?
Yes. NCSL has a strong network of regional providers who are best suited to delivering LftM in your area.
5. When does the next application round begin?
Please visit the news section of the LftM web pages for details of the latest application round.
6. Will there be any briefings or taster sessions for LftM prior to application?
Please refer to the regional providers of LftM for details of taster sessions in your area.
1. What is the overall time commitment for this programme?
The programme takes place over a 10 to 12 month period. As LftM is a blended-learning programme, learning will take place through a combination of face-to-face sessions, online activities and school-based activity. On average we advise a minimum of one to two hours online activity per week for middle leader participants. As a self-directed development programme, you will find that the more energy and commitment invested in the programme, the greater the rewards.
2. How many out of school days are there?
During the programme each participant will attend three full days of face-to-face training and two twilight sessions.
3. Do I have to attend all sessions in order to be recognised as having completed the programme?
Yes. It is important that the group of participants attend the face-to-face events together in order to gain maximum benefit from the programme. This means that the group of middle leaders will be out of school on the same day. Where a school has two groups involved it may be possible that they attend two separate dates, subject to availability.
4. What support is available throughout the programme?
You will have your in-school coach to support you throughout your learning in addition to a facilitator and a regional talk2learn community.
5. Are there any assessed activities or pieces
Although there are no formally assessed pieces of work as part of the programme, the opportunity exists for professional recognition for participants as a result of completing the programme. Further details can be found in the Professional development frequently asked questions.
6. Where will the face-to-face training take place?
Training is delivered locally within the nine government regions. Venues are organised by regional providers in order to be as convenient as possible. Please contact your regional provider for further information.
1. What are the online programme materials?
LftM participants and leadership coaches will access online resources such as Learn to Lead and the Virtual School. The online diagnostic activities will help participants understand their leadership strengths, team effectiveness and personal style preferences. Online learning is also a social activity whereby participants can engage with other participants in their region in online communities.
2. How do I access the online communities and materials?
All online materials can be accessed through the NCSL Learning Gateway. Upon successful registration to the programme you will be issued with a welcome pack which includes full details of resources available and information on how to access them.
3. Do I have to use the online facilities?
Yes. The online tools are a core element of the programme. They form part of a blended approach to learning that includes both online and face-to-face elements as well as practical school-based activities.
4. Where can I get technical support for problems with online materials/access?
You can contact the NCSL help desk on 0845 609 0009.
5. Do I have to pay for materials?
Currently, there is no extra cost for the materials used on LftM.
1. How much does this programme cost?
The school contribution for participants can be found on the Cost page.
Small schools with up to 100 pupils are entitled to a full subsidy from NCSL.
2. What is the charging policy for non-state school employees, independent and overseas schools?
Non-state school employee applicants, including local authority employees and independent schools, are eligible for LftM at a cost determined by the provider of the programme. Please contact your regional provider for details.
For independent schools, the cost for participation on LftM is determined by the provider of the programme. Please contact your regional provider for further information.
3. What is the policy for charging, supply cover and travel for small schools?
Small schools with up to 100 pupils are entitled to a subsidy from NCSL towards supply and travel costs. Please contact your regional provider for details.
If you are currently enrolled on the programme and from a small school, but haven't received guidance from NCSL, please email lftm@ncsl.org.uk to request an information pack and claim forms.
1. Is there a qualification?
There is no formal assessment within LftM so you will not receive a qualification. However, all participants who complete the programme receive a certificate of completion.
2. Will I receive any form of accreditation for completing the programme?
Participants, with Qualified Teacher Status, may enrol with the Teacher Learning Academy and submit evidence of learning for professional recognition: Accreditation of LftM 
(32kb, 3 pages)
3. Can the LftM programme contribute any credit towards an MA?
If you are a participant on LtmM and are also undertaking, or planning to undertake, a relevant Master's degree, you may be able to receive accreditation for your work. More information can be found in this document: Master's level accreditation (61kb, 8 pages).
find us | press office | vacancies | learning and conference centre | about this site | legal | site map
© National College for School Leadership
