National professional qualifications
We have teamed up with the Ambition Institute to deliver NPQs across the South West.
The Department for Education has announced updated funding eligibility criteria for the reformed suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) and published new frameworks for qualifications in Leading Literacy (NPQLL) and Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).
In Autumn 2021 the Department of Education introduced a new and updated suite of NPQs to offer the best possible support to teachers and leaders to help them become more effective teachers and leaders inside and outside the classroom.
There are 4 specialist NPQs which take 12 months to complete:
There are 2 leadership NPQs which take 18 months to complete:
All these courses are fully funded through the DfE for most schools.
The frameworks have been developed in consultation with an expert advisory group with specialists from across the education system and clearly sets out the content that participants should know and be able to do after completing an NPQ. Providers of NPQs will use these frameworks to design their courses. For further information about the content/curriculum please read through the relevant NPQ frameworks.
Frequently asked questions
- Which NPQs are fully funded? Each qualification in the updated suite will be fully funded if the applicant meets the eligibility criteria outlined below.
- Who is eligible for funding? Teachers and leaders employed in state funded schools and state funded organisations that offer 16-19 places in England will be able to access a fully funded NPQ from Autumn 2021, to support teachers and pupils following the disruption to learning faced as a result of COVID-19. Applicants who are not eligible for scholarship funding, will still be able to undertake an NPQ and should contact their local teaching school hub, lead provider or other delivery partners directly.
- I have already registered to self-fund for an NPQ starting in November and am now eligible for funding, what happens? For participants who have already registered for an NPQ on the DfE system, and are currently self-funding, there will be an automatic check against the new funding criteria. Where participants become eligible under the new criteria, funding status will be updated automatically and an email will be sent to inform participants they are now eligible for DfE NPQ scholarship funding. The relevant provider will be informed of this change, and those participants do not need to take any further action.
- Why did the DfE develop a Leading Literacy NPQ? The NPQLL has been developed to aid the teaching of literacy in primary and secondary schools and support the catch up of children whose literacy development has been impacted by the pandemic. The qualification will explore the development of literacy skills including oral language, word reading, reading comprehension, spelling, and writing composition through effective teaching and monitoring. The role of strong literacy leadership and high-quality training in primary and secondary settings, as well as managing transition between key stages and into secondary school will also be examined.
- Why did the DfE develop an Early Years Leadership NPQ? The NPQEYL has been developed to underpin and increase early years-specific pedagogical leadership in early years settings, strengthen staff pedagogy, and support children whose development has been impacted by the pandemic. The qualification will investigate early education and child development, with a focus on communication, language, and physical development as well as personal, social and emotional growth, in line with the EYSF reforms? The setting of strategic direction and organisational culture, as well as pedagogical leadership, including evidence-based learning will also be explored.
- Who are the NPQs for? The specialist and leadership 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. They are part of a wider set of teacher development reforms which together will create a ‘golden thread’ of high-quality evidence underpinning the support, training and development available through the entirety of a teacher’s career. NPQs have been designed with teachers and leaders in mind using the latest evidence and can be completed flexibly around existing commitments.
Time commitment and assessment
Time Commitment
If you are concerned about the time commitment then please be assured that the approach that Ambition has designed keeps time requirements to a minimum and makes them as flexible as possible so you can fit it in with your busy working week.
The programme runs over 4.5 terms and will finish in July 2024. Each half term of study is structured into 6 week blocks so there will be weeks when there is no study focus.
Each week you will need to complete 1 hour of self-study using an online platform – it is all set up for you and takes you through the programme in 6 week blocks. You can do this at any time that suits you.
In addition to this there are some opportunities to come together as a cohort. You will be able to attend 2 full day conferences over the 4.5 term programme. One at the beginning and one half way through. Currently we are running these online and there will be recordings so you can catch up if you cannot attend.
Each half term there is an opportunity for you to join a 2 hour ‘clinic’ (9 in total) which act as networks and opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of each half terms learning. These are optional and you can attend as many of these as you want to.
Assessment
Finally in terms of assessment there is no requirement to complete assignments, write essays or collate a portfolio – this is often something that can put people off. Assessment is completed at the end of the programme using a case study approach which is released and there is an 8 day window for you complete your response. This is the only written submission you will need to complete.
