Sponsorship information
The reference and statement of sponsorship section is an integral part of your application form and must be completed by your National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) sponsor. This will be used to add to and validate the information provided in your application, and to establish your sponsor’s support and confirmation of your readiness for headship.
Who should I nominate to complete the reference and statement of sponsorship?
The purpose of the reference and statement of sponsorship is two-fold.
- To verify that, in your sponsor’s judgement, your evidence is accurate and that you will be ready to take up a headship as your next job.
- To confirm that your sponsor is willing to provide you with the support you need to complete NPQH, including time, development opportunities and, if applicable, cost.
The form should be completed by someone who knows you well and has a good knowledge of your recent leadership experience and expertise. They must also be in a position to provide you with support.
- If you work in a leadership position in school the form should be completed by your headteacher.
- If you are an acting headteacher your chair of governors might be the most appropriate person to complete the form.
- If you work in an organisation other than a school please ask your line manager or employer to complete the form.
- If you are self-employed you will need to identify someone with whom you will be able to work closely. This person must be able to support you through the programme and may undertake the role of mentor.
What evidence needs to be provided?
Your sponsor will be asked to:
- verify your evidence presented in the application form and provide any relevant additional evidence
- give their assessment of your achievements and the impact of your leadership, providing quantified evidence of the positive difference your work has had in the organisation and on meeting its goals
- state that, in their professional opinion, you will be ready to take up a headship as your next post
- commit to supporting you through NPQH and the time to undertake relevant development activities
Additional evidence provided by the sponsor will be assessed as part of the application process. It is therefore very important that you do the following.
- Ensure that your sponsor reads the application guidance for NPQH sponsors.
- Discuss your application and the reference and statement of sponsorship with your sponsor. It is important that the dialogue is open and honest. The reference and statement of sponsorship should not be treated as confidential.
How does my sponsor access the application form?
You will be asked to email your completed application form to your sponsor to enable them to complete the reference and statement of sponsorship and to submit the fully completed form by the deadline. You should ensure that they are aware of this process, that they should expect the email from you and that they will be required to submit the form once they have completed the relevant sections.
Your completed application form must be emailed to your sponsor as soon as possible, giving them the maximum time to complete their sections before the deadline.
How and when is the completed application form submitted?
Once your sponsor has completed the reference and statement of sponsorship, they will need to upload it online following the instructions that we will provide. Your sponsor will need to submit the form by the specified deadline.
Your application will not be considered unless the reference and statement of sponsorship is complete. Late submissions cannot be accepted. You are therefore advised to talk to your sponsor as early as possible to ensure that they are fully aware of what is required of them.
