National Professional Qualification (NPQs) for International Schools

Accredited by the UK Department for Education, the Outstanding Leaders Partnership is the leading provider of the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) globally. The NPQs are a suite of four leadership qualifications for aspirant middle leaders through to executive leads and equip candidates with the skills, knowledge and understanding to lead sustainable improvement across their schools.

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership - International

The National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) is accredited by the UK Department for Education (DfE). NPQSL is for those who are or are aspiring to become, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities such as an experienced middle leader, a deputy headteacher, a SEN coordinator, an assistant headteacher, or other senior staff.

National Professional Qualification for Headship - International

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is accredited by the UK Department for Education (DfE). The NPQH is for those who are or are aspiring to become, a Headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school. This includes those with cross-school responsibilities such as a National Leader of Education (NLE).

National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership - International

The National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) is accredited by the UK Department for Education (DfE). NPQEL is suitable for colleagues aspiring to, or already in, leadership roles across more than one school. For example, headteachers, executive headteachers, directors of school improvement, teaching school directors or heads of school.

National Professional Qualification for Headship - Singapore

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for UK Schools

Meet your leadership challenges with National Professional Qualifications

Our qualifications are all designed by serving school leaders and subject matter experts to form a coherent learning pathway. The combination of online courses, face-to-face events and enrichment practice activity create a truly blended learning experience.

The qualifications are structured in such a way as to give candidates the option of moving on to the next qualification after completing their first, or simply completing one qualification if preferred.

Which NPQ is right for me?

	NPQML	NPQSL	NPQH	NPQEL
Who's it for?	Aspiring or current middle leaders leading across a team	Aspiring or current senior leaders leading across a school	Aspiring or current headteachers leading a school	Aspiring or current executive leaders with responsibility across more than one school
Who can apply?	Key Stage leader Curriculum leader Subject leader Head of Department Any similar leadership role	Deputy Headteacher SEN Coordinator Assistant Headteacher Any similar leadership role	NLE Deputy Headteacher Assistant Headteacher Headteacher Any similar leadership role	Headteachers Executive Headteachers School Improvement Directors Any similar leadership role
Intakes	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring	Autumn & Spring
Duration	12–15 months	12–15 months	12–15 months	12–15 months
DfE funding available	✓ *	✓ *	✓ *	✓ *
DfE accredited	✓	✓	✓	✓
No. of face-to-face days	3	3	5	6 incl two 2-day residentials
No. of online courses	3	3	3	3
Personal online tutor	✓	✓	✓	✓
Coaching	✗	✗	✓	✓
Guided learning hours	84	84	106	115
Assessment	School improvement project across a team - see examples	School improvement project across whole school - see examples	Two school improvement projects in own school and placement school - see examples	Design improvement strategy for own school and lead a project to improve progress and attainment across several schools - see examples
Master's credits	Up to 40**	Up to 60**	Up to 100**	Up to 60**

* applicable for schools in category 5 & 6 areas and MATs or Dioceses with 1 school in category 5 or 6 area

** number of credits awarded is at the discretion of universities

Why take an NPQ?

NPQs can have a measurable impact on schools and pupils.

As part of their final assessment, NPQ candidates complete a School Improvement Project. These projects have a real and lasting impact on pupils, schools and colleagues. Take a look at our School Improvement Library and see how completing an NPQ will impact on you and those around you.

NPQs are suitable for school leaders at each stage of their career, starting with Middle Leadership and progressing to Senior Leadership, Headship and Executive Leadership. Benefits for schools include:

Increased workforce capacity, capability and confidence
Staff retention and succession
Research-based improvement activity addressing priority needs

Why choose OLP?

The Outstanding Leaders Partnership is a national, school-led partnership recently rated as ‘exceptional’ by the DfE Quality Assurance Agent.

The quality review was based on the DfE National Professional Qualification (NPQ) Quality Framework. The reviewers examined leadership and governance, face-to-face delivery, online courses, candidate, facilitator and tutor support, assessment, organisation, quality control, marketing and recruitment, as well as the DfE metrics and impact. The reviewers identified exceptional performance in most areas of the Quality Framework.

Read the full summary of our DfE Quality Review results here.

"I got the headship! The course was absolutely instrumental in my success at interview – I felt so confident because of my reading and the work we’ve done on the face-to-face days and projects. Thank you for your support and encouragement – it really helped.”"

Gaynor Jones NPQH candidate

Take a Qualification

NPQML

Our National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML) programme is flexible and modular to enable candidates to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to lead high-performing teams and improve classroom practice.

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NPQSL

The National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) provides recognition of leadership development and professional achievement for senior school leaders.

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NPQH

The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is the first choice qualification for anyone aspiring to be a headteacher.

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NPQEL

The National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) provides an opportunity for headteachers taking the next step to executive leadership with responsibility for more than one school.

Find out more

Watch the video below to learn more about Outstanding Leaders Partnership and hear how our qualifications have impacted the careers of teachers and the attainment of pupils.