The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is a personalised programme based on individual development needs, taking between 4 and 12 months, depending on closeness to headship. NPQH trainee headteachers can access a range of opportunities including national learning materials, placements, coaching, online resources and local leadership development activities.
The structure of the provision is as follows.
Pre-entry stage
Access resources to help you consider your readiness for NPQH and headship.
Entry stage
1. Application: Complete an online applicationwith evidence of your expertise and experience across the six key areas of the National Standards for Headteachers. You will also need a supporting statement from your headteacher or line manager.
2. Entry assessment and development event: If your online application is successful, complete online self-assessment activities and a 360° diagnostic before attending a two-day entry event. At the event, undertake a range of assessment and development activities designed to reflect the role of a headteacher, finishing with a one-to-one feedback session to agree your individual strengths and areas for development.
Once you have successfully completed both entry stages, you become an NPQH trainee headteacher.
Development stage (4-12 months)
Attend a regional introductory day to meet other trainee headteachers, find out more about the provision and consider what actions you will take to meet your individual development needs. You will then determine your own personalised pathway, including:
- undertaking a placement in another context (5-20 days)
- peer learning with other trainee headteachers
- work-based learning in your current school or organisation
- attending national, regional and local development events, such as conferences, seminars and master classes
You will be supported by one-to-one coaching (up to seven hours), NCSL learning materials, research and online activities, and access to NCSL's online communities, where you can engage in professional dialogue with other school leaders.
As you progress through NPQH, you will build up a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your learning in relation to your identified development needs.
Graduation
When you feel you are ready, you will present your portfolio of evidence for graduation assessment. The assessment will take the form of a panel interview with assessors including serving headteachers.
If successful at graduation assessment, you will be awarded NPQH on behalf of the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
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