We are pleased to be working in partnership with Ambition Institute to offer the full suite of the new National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).
For colleagues also looking SEND specific leadership training, we can also signpost two SENDCo Award providers in our area.
Read responses to our most frequently asked questions below;
They been designed to ensure they support all pupils to succeed in both mainstream and specialist settings, across the full age range. There is a particular focus on ‘learn how to’ and “learn that”.
Yes, the assessment process for NPQs has been refreshed to reduce the workload burden on participants while still providing an opportunity for them to apply their knowledge. To pass the courses, participants will need to engage with at least 90% of the course and pass one summative assessment. The summative assessment will take the form of a case study, which is a minimum of 2,000 words in length. This assessment will represent a likely situation to be faced by a participant at the relevant NPQ qualification level or role.
This is for new head teachers who are in their first two years in role. This is a targeted package of support tailored to the needs of participants new to the role of headship when they are at their least experienced and most at risk of leaving the profession. This support may include structured, unassessed face to face support based on the best available evidence about what makes an effective head teacher. This may include but is not limited to group coaching and expert-led one to one conversations.
The duration of the Leadership NPQs is 18 months.
The duration of the Specialist NPQs is 12 months, this includes the EHCO.
Each of the NPQs will then have one summative assessment which must be marked and moderated within the 3-month window.
Please click the relevant link above for your preferred qualification to find out about the course structure on Ambition’s website.
Summative assessments must be delivered during three month windows and currently these are outlined to:
Participants are allowed an eight-calendar day window to provide a written response of a maximum of 2,000 words for the case study in an open book setting. Moderated outcomes will be communicated within three months of submission.
From autumn 2022, the organisations eligible to access scholarships are:
Local authority employed supply teachers will also be able to access scholarships.
Participants will only be eligible for funding for each NPQ once.
From autumn 2022, state-funded schools and state-funded 16 to 19 educational settings with 1 to 600 pupils will be paid £200 for each teacher or leader they employ who takes an NPQ. This is to help teachers and leaders in smaller settings who may find it harder to engage with professional development.
Funding is not available for participants taking the early headship coaching offer unless they are also taking another NPQ course.
Teachers and leaders can now apply through the DfE Portal and Spencer Teaching School Hub expression of interest form as stated in the ‘How to Apply?’ section above.
We have two cohorts for the academic year 2022-23, in October 2022 and February 2023.