What can NPQs do for your school?
National Professional Qualifications have a positive impact on participants and their schools, emerging studies suggest.
With the move to a single cohort (in November 2025) and with funding available (particularly for participants serving pupils living in disadvantaged communities) now is the time to consider which colleagues should be taking one. There are 10 courses to choose from and there are benefits of having multiple colleagues on multiple courses. Whether that’s leadership or specialist qualifications, participants will bring back insights from other schools' practice and shared understanding of the evidence base.
For example, a colleague undertaking the NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture will have much to discuss with an NPQ in Senior Leadership colleague. They could share approaches to improving behaviour and discuss the evidence base to determine the right approach for their school context.
School leaders reviewing their school improvement plan would benefit from considering which areas of improvement might be linked to multiple NPQs, and consider leaders and aspiring leaders at multiple levels undertaking this learning, as well as making time for them to come together in school and share their learning with the wider school community.
Although the school year has only just begun, it’s never too early to consider succession planning.
Are there any colleagues aspiring to their next role? Or any new to post who might benefit from professional development tailored to their role, needs and context? By this time next year, it may be that some of those aspirant colleagues are preparing to step into post, armed with almost a year of high-quality learning to guide and prepare them.
Why should you choose the NIoT for your NPQ provision?
Our organisation was founded for schools, by schools. Our programmes are led by leaders serving in exceptional settings right now.
Our regional teams will ensure NPQ in-person attendance is staggered to be mindful of schools needing to cover colleagues requiring release, and most of their qualification can be done flexibly and outside of school hours to reduce the burden on schools.
Make the most of the highest quality professional development this year by encouraging colleagues to apply for an NPQ today.
The scholarship priority deadline for applications is Friday 3 October. Funding is limited so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.