National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).
At Leicestershire and Rutland Teaching School Hub, we are proud to offer NPQs in partnership with Ambition Institute. The NPQs offer both pedagogical knowledge grounded in the most up-to-date research and a platform where teachers and leaders can come together to ensure maximum impact on their pupils.
We are passionate about great teachers and leaders opening doors for pupils they didn't know existed and giving them choices they didn't have before stepping into your school or classroom. By joining us on an NPQ you will be starting on a journey to do just that and really thrive in your school.
Your dedicated NPQ team is on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the programme, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. Email: NPQ@lrtshub.org.uk Tel: 0116 3033744
NPQs can be divided into two groups:
- Leadership programmes, covering senior leadership; headship; executive leadership; early years leadership and special educational needs.
- Specialist programme, covering the leadership of teaching; behaviour and culture; teacher development; literacy and leading primary maths.
Specialist NPQs
The Specialist NPQs provide teachers and leaders with more options to keep getting better.
There are four NPQs which are specialist qualifications:
- NPQ in Leading Teaching (NPQLT)
- NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)
- NPQ in Leading Literacy (NPQLL)
- NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)
Leadership NPQs
The leadership NPQs are designed to look at what best practice means for school leadership. They attend to the knowledge and skills school leaders need to help them tackle the persistent problems of their daily roles.
There are four NPQs which cater to teachers in leadership, or aspiring towards leadership:
- NPQ in Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
- NPQ in Headship (NPQH).
- NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).
- NPQ in Special Education Needs (SENCO)
2025/26 School Funding
NPQ scholarships are determined by the Department for Education (DfE). Scholarship funding for any future NPQ cohort has not yet been confirmed by the DfE and is subject to change. The scholarship eligibility criteria for future NPQ cohorts will be confirmed on this page in due course.
Scholarships are only confirmed after you complete both:
• An application (open now)
• DfE registration (not yet open)
How will I learn?
You will be supported by our team of Visiting Fellows. They are the best local and national leaders, who will bring the content to life through engaging delivery.
Each NPQ is broken down into modules which can be spread across the timetable, whether that is in between lessons, after school, on a commute or at home. And with our ‘little and often’ approach, you will get better faster.
✅ Flexible learning to suit your teachers and leaders’ timetable.
✅ Focused on what they need to know in their role.
✅ Delivered ‘little and often’ so they get better faster.
Our hybrid delivery model includes face-to-face and online delivery.
How flexible are the NPQs?
Our NPQs are designed with flexibility in mind. Every NPQ is delivered through a blend of online sessions, face-to-face workshops, and self-guided learning accessed through Ambition Institute's learning portal, StepLab. This allows you to structure your learning flexibly and to suit your lifestyle.
How are NPQs assessed?
At the end of your course, you will sit an open-book assessment in which you respond to a short case study. You will have an eight-day window in which to complete the assessment.
You need to complete the course to qualify for the NPQ accreditation.
NPQs: Your questions answered
How do I apply?
The next NPQ cohort will start during the 2025/26 academic year.
Applications are now open.