NPQs in 2026/27 explained
The Department for Education (DfE) has now confirmed funding arrangements for the November 2026 National Professional Qualification (NPQ) cohort, including expanded scholarship funding across a number of programmes.
Here is what schools and teachers need to know.
What has changed for 2026/27?
The next NPQ cohort will begin in November 2026, with registration opening on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at 10:00.
The DfE has confirmed continued and expanded scholarship funding for several NPQs.
For the November 2026 cohort:
- NPQ for Headship (NPQH) will remain fully funded for all eligible participants, regardless of pupil premium eligibility.
- NPQ for SENCO (NPQSENCO) will remain fully funded for all eligible participants, regardless of pupil premium eligibility.
- NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) will now also be fully funded regardless of pupil premium eligibility.
- NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) will now also be fully funded regardless of pupil premium eligibility.
Scholarship funding will also continue to be available for participants working in disadvantaged settings through the pupil premium 50 (PP50) eligibility criteria.
This means more teachers and leaders will be able to access professional development at no cost to themselves or their school.
Which schools and settings are eligible for scholarship funding?
Scholarship funding remains available across all NPQs for:
- State-funded schools in the top 50% of settings by pupil premium.
- Eligible further education settings.
- Eligible early years settings receiving disadvantage-related funding.
Funding is also available for teachers and leaders working in:
- Schools receiving targeted Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) intervention.
- Hospital schools.
- Young offender institutions.
- Virtual schools.
- Local authority teaching roles.
Additional funding arrangements continue for:
- Lead mentors working with accredited Initial Teacher Training providers.
- Eligible early years childminders undertaking the NPQEYL.
Full eligibility guidance is available on gov.uk.
What does this mean for schools?
The expanded funding offer gives schools greater flexibility to plan professional development across leadership teams and specialist roles.
The inclusion of fully funded places for NPQSL and NPQEYL means schools can now access funded development across a broader range of leadership pathways.
For SENCOs, the NPQSENCO continues to provide an important funded route towards the mandatory qualification requirement.
Why choose the National Institute of Teaching?
At the National Institute of Teaching, our programmes are informed by research and shaped by the realities of schools.
We work with serving teachers and leaders to deliver professional development that is practical, evidence-informed and designed to support improvement in real classroom and school contexts.
Our NPQs combine:
- Expertise from experienced teachers and leaders.
- Local knowledge and national insights.
- Opportunities to see practice in real schools.
- Structured support to help participants apply learning in their own setting.
We consciously design our programmes to balance professional development with the demands of school life.
Looking ahead
The DfE has confirmed that NPQs will continue for the November 2026 cohort, providing schools with the opportunity to plan leadership development and specialist training for the academic year ahead.
With expanded scholarship funding now available across additional programmes, 2026/27 provides an important opportunity for schools to invest in professional development that supports teachers, leaders and children alike.
Register your interest to be reminded the minute applications open.