Pay onlineNational Professional Qualification for Headship
The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is the first qualification for aspiring Headteachers.
Following the Schools White Paper in 2010, NPQH is being redeveloped. Recruitment for Teesside University cohorts has now closed.
For more information visit the National College website.
The programme provides a practical, professional training programme firmly founded on school improvement which enables participants to thoroughly prepare for headship.
The programme concentrates on the fundamental areas outlined within the National Standards for Headteachers and enables you to create your own flexible, individual development pathway, building on personal development needs.
NPQH is delivered using a combination of work based learning, self-study material, face-to-face sessions, research and online debates via communities. You will be supported by up to seven hours of one-to-one coaching and be required to apply your skills on a school based placement.
To help you develop your leadership abilities as a trainee headteacher the provision enables you to:
- further understand your individual strengths and areas for development
- receive individual support from your verified NPQH coach
- access a range of National College leadership and management materials to support your study
- engage in peer learning with other aspiring Headteachers
- attend appropriate conferences, master's classes and seminars
- experience leadership in a different contexts through a 5-20 day personalised placement.
NPQH has been redesigned to reflect the changing role of headship. All first time Headteachers must hold or have a place on NPQH in order to apply for a headship in the maintained sector.
NPQH is open to people with experience of leadership at whole-school level. Applicants are usually members of the school's leadership group or senior management team. It is for those who aspire to headship, not for those seeking professional development and candidates should be highly motivated to be a headteacher and no more than 12-18 months from applying for headship posts.
