National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are a national suite of qualifications designed to support the professional development of teachers and school leaders. They equip teachers with the expertise to lead sustainable improvement across their schools.

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.

Details about each of these programme is available via the links on the right-hand side of this page.

NPQ DFE Scholarship Funding Update

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that scholarship funding for the Spring (April) 2025 cohort will follow the same format as the Autumn 2024 cohort. This funding aims to support teachers and leaders in schools and educational settings serving disadvantaged communities.

Scholarships to cover the full cost of NPQs will be available to:

• The 50% of schools with the highest proportion of Pupil Premium funding.
• 16-19 education settings identified as having high disadvantage.
• Early Years practitioners in highly disadvantaged settings for the NPQEYL.

Additionally, scholarships will remain available for all teachers and leaders in publicly funded schools and 16-19 educational settings for the following NPQs:

• NPQLPM
• NPQSENCo
• NPQH (including EHCO for eligible participants)

Note: For those intending to access the NPQSENCo, the qualification must begin by April 2025 to ensure prioritisation. Further information regarding recruitment and the allocation of NPQ places will be shared by late January.

Apply to undertake a National Professional Qualification

Please visit the dedicated web page (see 'In this section' on the right-hand-side of this page) for the NPQ you are considering applying for. Check your eligibility and then follow the instruction in the 'Apply' section of the web page.