National Professional Qualifications

a partnership with UCL Centre for Educational Leadership

The Specialist and Leadership National Professional Qualifications are accredited by the Department for Education (DfE). The qualifications are delivered in collaborative partnership with UCL Centre for Educational Leadership.

The design of these programmes specifically takes workload pressures into account for leaders to embed their learning directly into their practice and apply the evidence-based principles of the course. The aim of these programmes is to challenge thinking and extend leadership capabilities and competence for Leaders to advance their organisation for the benefit of all stakeholders and the communities they serve.

The Glass House Leadership Lab partners on the following courses:

EHCO

The Early Headship Coaching Offer is a bespoke programme comprised of tailored resources, coaching and peer networking opportunities to support ongoing professional development and wellbeing for those new to the role of Headteacher or are within their first 5 years of Headship.

The Programme aims for you to develop the following:

  • Develop criticality

  • Deepen learning

  • Nurture collaboration

  • Activate knowledge

  • Enhance equity

NPQEL

Designed for school leaders who are or aspirate to be an Executive Headteacher or a school trust CEO with leadership responsibility across multiple schools.

Our role is to support you to deepen your knowledge, understanding and skill within Executive Leadership within a collaborative, professionally challenging and open learning environment and then put your learning into practice within your daily work .

The programme aims to give you professional confidence, time and space to reflect on your leadership journey so far, consider where you want to go in the future and have increase expertise within your chosen area of study.

The course comprises of a range of topics including:

  • Trust culture

  • Teaching and Learning

  • Curriculum and Assessment

  • Operational Management

  • Behaviour and Support

  • Implementation

  • Governance

Why learn with UCL - Centre for Educational Leadership?

UCL Institute of Education (IoE)  is a world-leading centre for research and teaching in education. The development programmes are built on a consistent, evidence informed understanding of what works and are delivered by experienced leaders from across the school system who put you and your professional context at the centre of the programme.

If you have any specific questions you would like to discuss either contact us or email UCLCEL@ucl.ac.uk

What do you gain?

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For yourself:

  • Access to world-leading research and evidence informed practice

  • Deeper awareness and understanding of yourself as a leader and your leadership practices

  • Increased professional confidence and expertise to lead effectively within your context

  • Time and space to reflect on your own development

  • Access to a wide network of professionals and school leaders

  • An advanced leadership lens

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Benefits for your organisation:

  • Professionally confident and capable leaders

  • Modelling of sustainable and ethical leadership practices across the organisation

  • Retention of talented leaders who know how to lead effectively to create sustainable change

  • Professionals who are competent to lead at scale

  • A strong, enhanced and achievable strategy

  • Deeper understanding and connection with the wider context and community

  • Robust and sustainable processes with accountable staff

How to join

Register: Complete the DfE registration portal, select UCL as your chosen provider. Once registration is complete the DFE will send the details to UCL Institute of Education.

1.

Apply: UCL will send registrants an application form to complete and return

2.

Start: Enroled participants will receive programme details once the registration deadline has been reached.

3.

Scholarship Funding

The DfE have changed the scholarship criteria for the Autumn 2024 cohort. Whilst all NPQs were previously funded, from the Autumn, scholarships are available to all teachers and leaders from state-funded schools and settings for the Early Headship Coaching Offer (EHCO) amongst some other NPQs (also offered through UCL CEL).

Scholarships are also available for all NPQs for teachers and leaders working in the “top 50% of schools as defined by the proportion of students that attract pupil premium funding”.  Comparative disadvantage criteria will also be applied to both Further Education and Early Years settings. Specific funding information can be found here.

The DfE are committed to providing a set number of scholarships nationally for which we highly recommend completing an application as early as possible (choose UCL as your provider) to secure a place as charges will apply for applicants who are either not eligible for scholarships or who miss out on funding available.

If you would like more information, or would like to confirm your scholarship eligibility, please visit the DfE Funding Information page.