NPQH programme details

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The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is a redesigned programme, taking between 6 and 18 months to complete.

Programme element Details
Induction

Seven hours of face-to-face learning, during which you will:

  • have the opportunity to use our 360 degree diagnostic tool
  • plan your activities for NPQH
  • select a placement school
  • decide whether you would like the support of a coach throughout NPQH
  • reflect on the desired leadership development outcomes for whole-school learning in both your home and placement school
  • gain an understanding of the assessment process
  • learn with peers
Development phase A number of integrated activities including work at a placement school and in your home school driven by essential and elective modules.
Placement school

A placement of a minimum of nine days at a selected school, during which you will:

  • lead on a strategically challenging project
  • participate in agreed activity alongside the headteacher of your placement school
  • learn from an effective role model
  • practise and develop your leadership in a different context
  • reflect on key leadership behaviours of highly effective leaders, and identify how to develop your own leadership
Home school

Engage in day-to-day leadership development in your current school, during which you will:

  • lead on a strategically challenging project
  • engage in challenge and support from your headteacher
  • integrate learning from NPQH into your leadership practice
  • negotiate and tackle specific school improvement priorities

Those not currently working in a school will undertake these activities in the school that you have identified, and who has committed to support you.
Modules

NPQH modules contain a blend of work-based, online, reflective and facilitated learning. The balance of each module will vary, however typically at least half of the module activity will be work-based.

You will complete three essential modules, built from outstanding practice, and will be able to chose two elective modules to complete. Find out more about the modules available.
Coaching

Optional coaching for leadership improvement will be available through licensees. Coaching will give you the opportunity to:

  • draw together, synthesise and integrate your learning
  • reflect on progress, build on strengths and identify any further development required
  • build self-awareness and improve your own leadership
  • build coaching behaviours into your own leadership
Final assessment Your work throughout the development phase will be assessed on completion. Details of the final assessment are to be confirmed.

Assessment, assignment and moderation dates: intake 2

Activity Dates
Stage one assessment 1 February–8 March 2013
Stage one moderation 19 March 2013
Intake two application results notification w/c 25 March 2013
Stage two assignments Up to 28 March 2013
Stage two assessments 22 April–21 June 2013
Stage two moderation 25 June 2013
Final notifications 28 June 2013
Participants choose licensees Up to 21 July 2013

Assessment, assignment and moderation dates: intake 3

Activity Dates
Stage one assessment 12 July–2 September 2013
Stage one moderation 11 September 2013
Stage two assignments Up to 4 October 2013
Stage two assessment 7 October–15 November 2013
Stage two moderation 19 November 2013
Final notification 27 November 2013
Participants choose licensees 28 November–18 December 2013