Senior Leadership (NPQSL)


National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL)

We are delighted to be partnering with Teach First to deliver this programme.

  • Target Audience: school leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities
  • Course Length: 18 months, plus 3 months for assessment period
  • Next Programme Start Date: Spring 2025
  • Brochure: Teach First

Programme cost

The cost of the NPQ in Senior Leadership is £1,090.

Funding for Target Scholarships

The DfE has agreed funding for schools serving the most disadvantaged pupils within our region. This means that all NPQs are fully funded for those settings.

These settings are:

  • In the top 50% of schools with the highest proportion of pupils who attract pupil premium funding;
  • A 16 to 19 setting identified as having high disadvantage; or
  • A highly disadvantaged early years setting

Eligibility: Saffron Teaching School Hub has alerted all eligible schools within our Hub area. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact us.

Further details about NPQ funding can be found here: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-national-professional-qualifications-npqs


What will I learn?

You’ll develop expertise in the knowledge, skills and concepts for areas of cross- and whole-school responsibility related to your role. Teach First's content is informed by the best and most recent evidence and developed with input from serving school leaders and subject-matter experts.

Modules include:

  • School 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 teachers in mind, the NPQSL is delivered using a blend of online seminars, flexible online learning and conferences.

How will I benefit?

Over 18 months, you will:

  • Grow your expertise as a senior school leader, broadening your leadership knowledge and gaining the specialist expertise needed to tackle your school improvement priorities.
  • Learn how to support the development of a positive, predictable and safe environment for pupils.
  • Learn how to build a supportive environment for colleagues and school leaders.
  • Share experiences with other school leaders, learn how they've faced similar challenges and build a professional network that will support you throughout your career.
  • Be supported to effectively implement change and improvement in an area related to your role.