National Professional Qualifications

NPQ Programmes


Saffron Teaching School Hub offers the following NPQ programmes with Teach First:


How do I apply for an NPQ programme?

Applications for our Autumn 2024 NPQ cohort will open later this year.

Please complete the Expression of Interest form below if you would like to be kept up to date; we will contact you when the application window opens.

Find out more about NPQ funding from September 2024 here


Find out more

For an overview of our NPQ programmes, see our NPQ Programmes Brochure

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We are committed to working with schools in our area to build effective CPD pathways into their professional development programmes, continuing the 'golden thread' of teacher development from the early career years.

Expand the headings below to find out more about our NPQs.

What are NPQs?

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are the most widely recognised qualifications in the education sector for current and aspiring leaders.

Accredited by the Department for Education (DfE), NPQs provide training and support for teachers and school leaders at all levels. From those who want to develop expertise in high-quality teaching practice, such as behaviour management, to those leading multiple schools across trusts.

We’re delighted to be one of a select group of national providers to design, deliver and assess the reformed NPQs in collaboration with several delivery partners (Teaching School Hubs and multi-academy trusts working with us to deliver the NPQs).

A closer look at each NPQ programme

NPQ in Leading Primary Mathematics (NPQLPM) Teachers and school leaders with responsibility for maths within a primary setting or for those leading support groups in KS3. Some maths mastery experience essential.

NPQ in Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

Teachers and school leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject or year. For example, head of subject, key stage head or head of department.

NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQBC)

Teachers and school leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school. For example, head of year or roles with other pastoral responsibilities.

NPQ in Leading Teacher Development

(NPQLTD)

Teachers and school leaders who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school, for example CPD lead or ITT lead.

NPQ in Leading Literacy (NPQLL)

Teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase.

NPQ in Senior Leadership (NPQSL)

School leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities.

NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

Leaders qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification who are, or are aspiring to be: · managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries · headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries · childminders with leadership responsibilities.

NPQ in Headship (NPQH)

School leaders who are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.

Early Headship Coaching Offer

(formerly the NPQH Additional

Support Offer)

Headteachers new to the role of headship who: · work in a state-funded school · are in the first five years of headship · have previously done an NPQH / are applying for an NPQH / are currently doing an NPQH – with us or another provider.

NPQ in Executive Leadership

(NPQEL)

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.

How will the NPQs be assessed?

The assessment process for all NPQs has been refreshed to reduce the workload burden on teachers while still providing an opportunity to apply their knowledge. To pass the programme, you’ll need to engage with at least 90% of the module and pass one assessment.

Assessment takes place within three months of you completing your NPQ programme. Detailed dates will be shared with you before the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, you will participate in formative assessment tasks, so you can track your progress and understanding. This will also support you to demonstrate 90% engagement with the course.

At the start of your training, we’ll also provide you with the dates of the Summative Assessment so you can plan for this with your school. This will take the form of a case study which is a minimum of 1500 words in length and will cover content referred to in the relevant NPQ Content Framework. It will represent a likely situation to be faced by a teacher at the relevant NPQ qualification level or role and will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the relevant NPQ Content Framework and offer you an opportunity to demonstrate that you can successfully apply this.

You will have an eight-day window to provide a written response of a maximum of 1500 words for the case study (unless adjustments are required on an individual basis) in an ‘open book’ setting. You will receive the unseen case study question at the start of the eight-day window; and submit your response by midnight of the eighth day.

Is my school eligible to apply for a Saffron TS Hub Teach First NPQ?

If your school is affiliated to our multi-academy trust/Teaching School Hub, any member of your staff is eligible to apply to do a Teach First NPQ through us.

Schools that are not affiliated to any of the Delivery Partners working with Teach First can apply directly with Teach First to do an NPQ.

Funding for NPQs

Find out more about NPQ funding from September 2024 here


NPQs - what are the benefits?

Find out about the positive impact an NPQ can have on your career here.

In January 2023 the Saffron Teaching School Hub's first cohort received their specialist NPQ results. Our programme members undertook online learning, face to face conferences and online monthly seminars over that time, working on developing their knowledge and skills on their chosen specialism.

They worked in a group of peers from across phases, along with a pair of expert local facilitators, and made valuable connections and new networks including becoming part of both the Saffron TS Hub and Teach First communities.

Over that time, a lot changed. Some programme members took on new roles, or changed schools and others are now looking towards the next step of their career, all supported by the evidence of what great leadership looks like in their specialism. 

We asked some of the programme members from our original cohort to reflect on the benefits their chosen Teach First NPQ has had for them. Here's what they said: