That feeling when...you register for an NPQ
Build your expertise and confidence to have an even bigger impact with our NPQs. To express your interest, fill out this form and we'll get in touch with more information.
Why should you choose our NPQs?
Truly school-led
The National Institute was founded by schools for schools, putting schools at the heart of everything we do.
Join a network of like-minded leaders
Our NPQs are designed around what works best for schools and gives participants access to a local network of like-minded leaders
Evidence-based programmes
Our in-house research function feeds into our programmes, ensuring participants access the latest evidence on what works in education.
Fit with busy workloads
We design our programmes to balance with existing teacher workloads, ensuring the reading and assessments are manageable and complement day-to-day roles.
Designed for impact
Our NPQs have a positive, lasting impact on participants, schools and most importantly, the children they serve.
Amin Ahmad, Blackburn College
"The National Institute’s NPQs have allowed me to create an educational context where I can have more impact in terms of progress. Working in one of the most deprived areas of the country, that improves children’s life chances, their opportunities and their employability."
Nicola Owen, ICS Milan
"As a result of the NPQ, I no longer have imposter syndrome, because I was doing the job anyway and I feel like now I can actually say I'm qualified for this job. I just feel so much more confident in what I'm doing."
Ryan West, The Valley Leadership Academy
"I think it's really important to be research informed, and the national institute’s NPQs have great research underpinning them all. I’m a firm believer that we should be lifelong learners. I considered doing a masters, but an NPQ is more rooted in practice and is benefitting my career every day."
Umaira Rizvi, Oasis Academy Media City
"The National Institute of Teaching really provided a very flexible programme that would complement my job role as well as developing my leadership skills.Location
We can confirm that we will be delivering NPQs in schools near the following locations:
- North and West: Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford, Leyland, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, and Skelmersdale
- South, East and London: Hertfordshire, North East London, Norwich, South East London, South Essex, and Suffolk
- North and East: Doncaster, Gateshead, Grimsby, Halifax, Leicestershire, Newcastle, Peterlee, Redcar, Tyne and Wear, and Washington
- South and West: Birmingham, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dudley, Gloucestershire, Sandwell, Somerset, South Staffordshire, Swindon, Walsall, and Worcester
Assessment
Typically, participants will need to complete the programme and achieve a pass mark in a written, ‘open book’ style, structured assessment of up to 2,500 words.
The assessment itself takes place over an eight-day window. There are two assessment windows per year and participants have two opportunities to take part.
Cost/Funding
For the November 2026 cohort, all state schools are eligible to receive full funding for:
- NPQ for Headship (NPQH)
- NPQ for SENCOs (NPQSENCO)
- NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)
- NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
- Early Headship Coaching
Scholarship funding will continue to be available for participants working in disadvantaged settings through the pupil premium 50 (PP50) eligibility criteria. You can read more on the DfE website here.
If you are not eligible for scholarship funding, prices are on each of our programme pages.