Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL)
We are delighted to be partnering with Teach First to deliver this programme.
We deliver this programme as part of a consortium with Bright Futures, Leicester & Leicestershire, One Cumbria, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and Red Kite Teaching School Hubs.
For Cohort 5 (Autumn 2025), national conferences will be held in London.
- Target Audience: school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, an Executive Headteacher or have a school trust CEO role with responsibility for leading several schools.
- Course Length: 18 months, plus 3 months for assessment period
- Brochure: Teach First
Programme cost
£3,890 (Autumn 2025 cohort); to be confirmed for Autumn 2026.
Scholarship funding
You may be able to get your NPQ course fees paid for by the Department for Education (DfE). This is called scholarship funding. The DfE will confirm scholarship details for Autumn 2026 in due course.
What will I learn?
You’ll develop expertise in the knowledge, skills and concepts for areas of trust-level responsibility related to your role.
Modules include:
- Trust culture
- Teaching
- Curriculum and assessment
- Behaviour
- Additional and special educational needs
- Professional development
- Organisational management
- Implementation
- Working in partnership
- Governance and accountability
Programme breakdown
Your Learning Journey
Designed with busy school leaders in mind, the NPQEL is delivered over 18 months using a blend of online seminars, flexible online learning and conferences.
How will I benefit?
Over 18 months, you will:
- Develop specialist expertise in running a multi-school organisation, gaining practical skills in effectively managing resources and establishing sustainable policies.
- Effectively implement change and improvement in an area you identify as a trust priority.
- Connect with and learn from other executive leaders in the field.
- Build and expand your network across the country.