NPQ

Alliance of Leading Learning (ALL) continues to work in partnership with previous local NPQ deliverers Salop and Severn to deliver the full suite of NPQs across Shropshire and Telford.

BENEFITS FOR SCHOOLS

The headline benefits for schools using NPQs in their PD plans are that they:

• support the development of your teams in specialist areas (ie Literacy, Behaviour and Culture)
• support the development of leadership skills in your teams
• support school improvement - giving your staff access to the best research and the key terminology of the Golden Thread movement.

Ultimately NPQs provide an effective route to improved outcomes for your work-based practice and your Children and Young People.

“The course is enabling me to understand how projects, changes and training should be implemented. With this knowledge I have been able to assess the training that our school is providing … and the course is helping me to hone my knowledge and become more confident. I value what the course is teaching me… not just for delivering CPD or projects.” Participant on NPQLTD 2023

To find further information on programmes please click here 

Which NPQ?

The reformed suite of NPQs is available for teachers and leaders in Shropshire and Telford who want to develop their knowledge and skills in specialist areas of teaching practice. There are:

• 5 leadership NPQs in Senior Leadership, Headship,Executive Leadership, Early Years Leadership and SEND
• 5 NPQs for teachers and leaders who want to develop their expertise in specialist areas of teaching practice (Leading Primary Maths, Leading Literacy, Leading Behaviour and Culture, Leading Teaching and Leading Teacher Development)

LENGTH AND CONTENT

• All programmes last between 12 and 18 months.

Assessment

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment takes place throughout the programme, helping you to understand the progress you are making, and facilitators to adapt your learning experiences.

There are two success criteria for the successful completion of your course:

• Participation in at least 90% of the course

• Successfully pass the summative case study assessment

The summative assessment requires you to answer three questions in response to a case study.  The assessment will give you the opportunity to demonstrate how you would deploy the knowledge, skills and understanding gained through the NPQ to lead and implement a specific aspect of change. The assessment windows are set at the start of your course and there is an 8-day period to complete the assessment.

Length of the Summative Assessments

Specialist Programmes (NPQLTD, NPQLT, NPQLBC, NPQLL) – 1500 words

NPQSL and NPQEYL – 2000 words

NPQH and NPQEL – 2500 words

For further information on programmes please click here 

NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) 

The NPQLTD is available for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading the development of other teachers in their school. This may be responsibility for the development of all teachers across a school or specifically trainees or ECTs.  

The aim of the NPQLTD is to provide teachers with essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development. 

Following completion of the NPQLTD, participants will have covered the four areas:  

• Teaching 
• Designing Effective Professional Development 
• Delivering Effective Professional Development 
• Implementation 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say - click here.

NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)

The NPQLBC is available for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading behaviour and/or supporting pupil wellbeing in their school. 

The aim of the NPQLBC is to provide evidence which underpins successful leadership of behaviour and culture and provides participants with an understanding of how to put new approaches into practice.  

Following completion of the NPQLBC, participants will have covered the following six areas: 

• Teaching 
• School Culture 
• Enabling Conditions for Good Behaviour 
• Complex Behavioural Needs 
• Professional Development 
• Implementation 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here.

NPQ in Leading Teaching (NPQLT)

The NPQLT is available for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading teaching in a subject, year group, key stage or phase. 

The aim of the NPQLT is to provide the participant with expertise and approaches that, through working with their colleagues, enable their school to keep improving, and contribute to a culture in which staff and pupils are all able to thrive.  

Following completion of the NPQLT, participants will have covered the following nine areas: 

• Teaching 
• School Culture 
• How Pupils Learn 
• Subject and Curriculum 
• Classroom Practice 
• Adaptive Teaching 
• Assessment 
• Professional Development 
• Implementation 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Leading Literacy (NPQLL)

Leading Literacy for teachers who have, or are aspiring to have, responsibilities for leading literacy across a school, year group, key stage or phase in their school.

The aim of the NPQLL is to provide teachers with essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of Literacy.

Following completion of the NPQLL, participants will have covered the following areas:

• Teaching
• Developing language
• Developing reading
• Developing writing
• Professional development
• Implementation

This programme is delivered in Partnership with Teach First to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Leading Primary Maths (NPQLPM)

Leading Primary Mathematics for school leaders and teachers to support the effective teaching of mathematics and learn how to use mastery approaches and teach maths effectively.

The aim of the NPQLPM is to provide teachers with essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of primary maths.

Following completion of the NPQLPM, participants will have covered the following areas:

• Developing primary mathematics
• Teaching
• School culture
• How pupils learn
• Subject and curriculum
• Classroom practice
• Adaptive teaching
• Assessment
• Professional Development
• Effective implementation

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ for SENCO’s

We will deliver the  NPQ for SENCOs across Shropshire and Telford in partnership with Best Practice Network from Autumn 2024.

Replacing the NASENCO qualification, this programme promises to equip SENCOs and Senior Leaders with the cutting-edge expertise and leadership skills needed to navigate the evolving SEND landscape and champion inclusive practices within their schools.

Designed in collaboration with leading experts and informed by the latest evidence, the NPQ curriculum will delve into key areas such as:

• Strategic Leadership: Fostering a collaborative school culture that prioritises inclusive education and empowers all stakeholders
• Expert SEND Knowledge: Mastering the intricacies of the SEND framework, legislation, and best practices to ensure seamless support for students with diverse needs
• Effective Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with teachers, parents, and external agencies to create a network of support for students

This programme is delivered in Partnership with Best Practice Networks to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

The NPQEYL is available for 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 and maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities.

The aim of the NPQEYL is to provide teachers with essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of Early Years Leadership.

Following completion of the NPQEYL, participants will have covered the following areas:

• Culture
• Child development, curriculum and assessment
• Additional and special educational needs
• Professional development
• Organisational management
• Working in partnership
• Implementation

This programme is delivered in Partnership with Teach First to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Senior Leadership (NPQSL)

The NPQSL is available for teachers who are, or are aspiring to be, a senior leader with cross-school responsibilities. 

The aim of the NPQSL is to enable participants to develop the relevant expertise and provide approaches to enable continuous improvement across the school.  

Following completion of the NPQSL, participants will have covered the following ten areas: 

• School Culture 
• Teaching 
• Curriculum and Assessment 
• Behaviour 
• Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 
• Professional Development 
• Organisation Management 
• Implementation 
• Working in Partnership 
• Governance and Accountability 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Headship 

The NPQH is available for those who are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school; or for those who are a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school and are in the first 24 months of headship. 

The aim of the NPQH is to enable participants to gain an understanding of the expertise and approaches required to set an ambitious vision for their school, as well as learning how to establish a culture where staff and pupils can thrive. 

Following completion of the NPQSL, participants will have covered the following ten areas: 

• School Culture 
• Teaching 
• Curriculum and Assessment 
• Behaviour 
• Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 
• Professional Development 
• Organisational Management 
• Implementation 
• Working in Partnership 
• Governance and Accountability 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

NPQ in Executive Leadership 

The NPQEL is available for those who are, or are aspiring to be, and executive headteacher or have a school trust CEO role with responsibility for leading several schools.  

The aim of the NPQEL is to develop flexible expertise than participants can use to respond to challenges in a range of contexts, as well as being able to identify and address persistent and common school leadership challenges.

Following completion of the NPQEL, participants will have covered the following ten areas: 

• Trust Culture 
• Teaching 
• Curriculum and Assessment 
• Behaviour 
• Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities 
• Professional Development 
• Organisation Management 
• Implementation 
• Working in Partnership 
• Governance and Accountability 

This programme is delivered in Partnership with LLSE to find out more about the programme and what participants say – click here

Scholarship funding

SPRING 2025

Great news! The DfE has announced there will be 10,000 scholarship funded places made available nationally for the Spring 2025 intake of NPQs.

There will be no change to the eligibility criteria for this Spring intake.

• All state-maintained schools and academies in England will be eligible for full scholarship funding for the NPQH and NPQ SENCO
• The 50% of schools with the highest % pupil premium enrolment will be eligible for full scholarship funding for the wider suite of NPQs (DfE will share an update list of eligible schools with providers shortly)

All of our NPQ Providers are currently accepting applications for programmes in April 2025.

Please start an application if you are interested in starting a programme in April 2025 so that we can ensure you receive updates.  Apply HERE

The latest updates from the Department for Education can be found here.

You can also request email updates from the DfE to tell you when registration reopens here.

To make an informed choice you need to ask:

• Is this led by an established current licence provider with a tangible record of success both nationally and internationally?
• Is this supported by the robust infrastructure of the new Teaching School Hub for Shropshire and Telford?
• Are the facilitators delivering the programme exemplary school leaders who are highly skilled and quality assured in the advanced facilitation competencies?
• Do they work with an extended partnership beyond the school network to ensure the training is world class?
• Will they provide a credible professional learning journey beyond the NPQ through a range of programmes available at every level?
• Will they deliver cutting edge leadership programmes underpinned by national and international research?
• Will they provide value for money and invest in quality face to face training, on line support and additional support sessions?
• Have they got evidence of real impact back in the workplace?     
• Do they invest in the learning experience of the individual through flexible opportunities to access training locally, with the NPQH and NPQEL being delivered through quality hotel residentials?
• Do they have an excellent reputation for customer care and treat you as an individual –supporting and tracking your progress and offering support and guidance when needed?
• Does feedback bear testament to a high quality professional learning experience and one that past and present participants  would recommend to a professional colleague.

At the “Alliance of Leading Learning” we are confident the answer to these questions is a resounding “YES”!

Still not sure?

• We bring you local delivery by exemplary local leaders
• We have a highly experienced expert facilitation team who bring the content to life through engaging face-to-face delivery
• Our delivery is monitored by Quality assurance processes ensuring that participants receive excellent support and guidance
• We have a dedicated team who are on hand to respond to phone calls and emails

Don’t take our word for it…

Here is what participants say about the impact these programmes are having:

NPQLBC – ‘I have seen a remarkable improvement in behaviour throughout year 11. They have been more compliant and more focused on work. I have led the tutors and staff in supporting students into the exam period. We have received good feedback from students and parents/carers 

NPQLTD – ‘I believe that I have grown as a leader in terms of confidence and self-efficacy. My knowledge of science of learning has enabled me to voice the rationale behind my strategy confidently to my department, who seem to be very positive about the implementation of retrieval practice.’

Delivery in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin

NPQLT/ NPQBC / NPQLTD / NPQLL / NPQEYL / NPQSL  programmes will be delivered locally in Shropshire and Telford with sessions being no further than an hour from your school.  We may expand delivery subject to demand.

The NPQH and NPQEL will continue to be delivered centrally as residentials at a quality 4 – star hotel in Nantwich – with easy access from both the M6 and Crewe station.

Whole Trust NPQ Delivery

The Alliance of Leading Learning is proud to have been working with the Empower Multi-Academy Trust to roll out a Trust-wide NPQ programme.

In February 2024,  101 members of staff from the Trust’s 8 schools which are located in the Shrewsbury and Whitchurch area of Shropshire join two cohorts of the NPQLT.

Find out more about this here:  Whole Trust NPQ Delivery - Alliance of Leading Learning

Applications for our October 2024 window are now closed.  

We will be launching our next tranche of NPQ programmes in April 2025. Whilst we wait the outcome from the Department of Education with regards to the funding of the programmes, you can start an application to secure a place - please click here .