NPQs in 2025/26 explained

There are a few changes to how National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) will happen over the next academic year, so we’ve put together this handy guide to make sure you don’t miss out on continuing professional development (CPD) that changes lives.

What are the changes, and what do they mean?

There is now a single autumn NPQ cohort, starting in November 2025, giving schools a clear window for strategic planning.

Although this is a significant change, it’s a positive one. This academic year, headteachers will be able to take control and map their school priorities onto professional development opportunities knowing there is only one annual NPQ cohort.

As before, NPQ for Headship (NPQH) and NPQ for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQSENCO) are fully-funded NPQs for all schools. The single Autumn cohort will impact SENCOs who need to gain the mandatory SENCO qualification within three years, as this will be the only opportunity this academic year.

At the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) we’re sensitive to the needs of schools and consciously and deliberately balance time out of school. We schedule our programmes to minimise disruption and, with the single cohort this year, we’re giving participants multiple opportunities to attend training, so they aren’t all absent from school on the same day.

There’ll also be more scholarships available for this single Autumn cohort.  

What funding is available?

For those of you working in schools serving more disadvantaged pupils, full scholarship funding is available, so the qualifications won’t cost you (or your school) a penny.

Schools eligible to receive funding across all NPQs are:

• State schools with the top 50% of Pupil Premium pupils.
• Further Education (FE) colleges with the top 50% of settings and the highest proportion of disadvantage funding.
• NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL), including private, voluntary, and independent settings, Ofsted-registered early years childminders and maintained nursery schools with the top 50%, receiving early years pupil premium or disadvantaged 2-year-old entitlement funding.

As with the previous cohort, all state schools regardless of the above criteria are eligible to receive full funding for the NPQH, the NPQSENCO, and the Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO).

Additional funding is available for:

• Ofsted-registered childminders are entitled to receive full scholarship funding for the NPQEYL.
• Lead mentors for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) for an accredited provider (September 2024 onwards) are eligible for a fully funded NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD).

Funding is available for all NPQs for colleagues working in the following settings:

• Schools eligible for targeted regional improvement (RISE) intervention.
• Hospital schools .
• Young offender institutions.
• Local authority virtual school heads, deputy heads, and direct teachers.
• Local authority staff in direct teaching roles e.g. Local authority (LA) supply or peripatetic teachers.

Funding for the NPQLTD is available if you are taking on the role of lead mentor for an ITT provider accredited to deliver ITT from September 2024.

There is a national cap on scholarship funding, so we advise you to apply early to make sure you can benefit. Check your eligibility.

Why choose the NIoT?

The NIoT is an organisation founded by four large Multi-Academy Trusts and therefore keeps schools and school leaders at the heart of our programme design and delivery.

With the NIoT, you will be receiving school leadership training from serving school leaders who will support you through current and future challenges in your career as you advance to leadership roles.

Our programmes are carefully designed to enable you to see research in the context of exceptional school practice, creating complex mental models of what makes great school leadership.

Looking ahead: the future of NPQs

The government has committed to the sustainability of NPQs on an annual basis.

That means that your next opportunity to take an NPQ will be in November 2026.

Take your next step with confidence. Apply now.