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NPQH 20/21

Our National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) is delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute. To support you in the completion of your chosen NPQ our offer includes as standard:

  • Expert-designed curriculum, content and resources which align to the required leadership behaviours and competencies, provided by Ambition Institute
  • Minimum 18 hours of face-to-face, facilitated training delivered over at least two terms (but no more than 18 months)
  • Two 360° reviews (at the beginning and end of the programme)
  • Option of a Viva
  • A network of peers and relevant experts
  • Assessment support and full assessment of your final submission
  • Trained and quality assured facilitators of whom at least 50% are serving school leaders

 

NPQH programme structure and components 

The core components of the NPQH programme are as follows:

  • 6 face-to-face, facilitated training sessions (each approx. 6hrs);
  • 1 360 tool for self-evaluation against the core leadership competencies;
  • 1 school-based improvement project and associated written assignment; and
  • 1 9 day placement and associated project and written assignment.  

To be considered eligible to complete their NPQH and submit their written assignment for assessment, participants must have:

To be considered eligible to complete their NPQH and submit their written assignment for assessment, participants must have:

  • Attended all training sessions over at least 2 academic terms and have missed no more than 2 training sessions; where a training session has been missed the candidate must have engaged with the material through catch-up activity (typically either attendance of the same session with a different cohort or a combination of independent study and time with the facilitator);
  • Completed the required school improvement project over a period of at least 2 academic terms;
  • Completed the required 9day placement in a contrasting school and associated project;
  • Submitted both written assignments and all required supporting documents;
  • Submitted all documentation within 18 months of the start of their programme; this is typically Session 1 but can be earlier depending on programme structure.

Programme duration 

Our programme provides an enhanced offer of four full days (6 hour) and a weekend residential with a two-night stay.

Additional 1:1 project support sessions are offered across the 18 months programme duration (see additional support).

PLACEMENT School 

Each participant must complete a 9 day placement in a contrasting school e.g. by phase, performance, size or geography. These days do not have to be consecutive. It is your role as a provider to ensure that each participant is able to complete a relevant placement.

The placement school Head-teacher must be clear on the purpose of this placement and the nature of the project which the participant is undertaking, ensuring they have access to the relevant people and documentation. They will provide written confirmation that the placement occurred and that the participant presented their recommended action plan to the governing board. Their feedback and input provide critical evidence – and we do ask for comments from them as a supporting document when it comes to submission.

Type and hours of study 

With the current situation with COVID-19 and the social distancing restrictions in place, Brooke Weston TSA have adopted a blended learning offer to accommodate our learners' needs, safety and wellbeing.  

This programme includes a weekend residential with a two-night stay.

Participant Profile and Eligibility 

The NPQH is designed to support those aspiring to, or currently performing within, headship roles, with an aim to enhance their performance and leadership skills. The programme is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to achieve the NPQH qualification.

To qualify for the NPQH programme, participants must be either:

Senior leaders who are aspiring to headship and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Likely to be in a headship role in the next 12-18 months;
  • Have completed at least one year at a senior leadership level e.g. deputy head-teacher;
  • Are part of the senior leadership team of a school;
  • Have the ability – through their role or through additional responsibilities – to undertake such work as would enable them to meet the requirements of the assessment tasks.

Those currently in headship roles who meet the following eligibility criteria: 

  • Responsible for the performance of a whole school;
  • Work directly with the governing board/body;
  • Have the ability – through their role or through additional responsibilities – to undertake such work as would enable them to meet the requirements of the assessment tasks.

Assignments and Assessment 
 

Assignments

As well as engaging with the 6 face-face training sessions, participants are required to

  • Complete a school improvement project (over at least 2 terms) and submit a written assignment for assessment; and
  • Complete a placement and project in a contrasting school (over 9 days) and submit a written assignment for assessment;
  • Submit both within 18 months of the programme start date.

Assignment 1: Lead a change programme at whole school level, lasting at least 2 terms, to improve pupil progress and attainment [4000 words]

Participants must: 

  • Lead a change programme at whole-school level, lasting at least 2 terms, to improve pupil progress and attainment; 
  • Present the plan to the governing board prior to implementation, and gather their feedback; 
  • Submit a written account of the project to the provider for assessment, which aims to evidence the criteria indicated. This should cover the design, implementation and evaluation of the programme; 
  • Submit supporting documents/material as evidence where indicated below. Supporting evidence must be concise and directly related to the candidate’s project and corresponding assessment criterion; 
  • Not exceed a total word count of 4,000excluding supporting documents or annexes. 

Assignment 2: Design an action plan to meet their placement school’s current and/or projected resource and capability challenges [2500 words]

Participants must: 

  • Undertake a placement in a contrasting school (for example, by performance, pupil profile, geography etc.), lasting at least 9 working days. 
  • Research the placement school’s current and/or projected resource and capability challenges, and design an action plan to address these. 
  • Present the plan to the placement school’s governing board and gather their feedback. 
  • Submit a written account of the project to the provider for assessment, which aims to evidence the criteria indicated 
  • Submit supporting documents/material as evidence where indicated below. Supporting evidence must be concise and directly related to the candidate’s project and corresponding assessment criterion. 
  • Not exceed a total word count of 2,500excluding supporting documents or annexes 

Please see the  NPQ Content and Assessment Framework for more detail about your chosen NPQ, including assignments and placements.

Cost of programme including assessment 

The programme cost is £2300.

Full scholarship funding is available for 20/21 cohorts, eligibility criteria is defined by the Department for Education.

Update July 2020: notification has been received that funding is limited and may not be available for applicants whom apply after July 31st 2020.

Cohort size 

Maximum 25 participants per cohort.

NPQ Alliance policies 

You can find our policies in relation to your programme on our NPQ Alliance Policy page.

Dates, times and locations of training sessions 

Session
Delivery
Date
Time
Welcome Online Wednesday 18th November 2020 16:00 - 18:00
Session 1

Online/ face-to-face  

(restrictions dependant) 

Wednesday 2nd December 2020  09:30 - 15:30
Session 2 Face-to-face Wednesday 13th January 2021   09:30-15:30
Guest Speaker - Katherine Walsh Webinar The Role of the SENDCo 16:00 - 18:00
Session 3 Face-to -face Wednesday 24th February 2021   09:30-15:30
Session 5 & 6 Weekend Residential Friday 19th – Sunday 21st March 2021  09:30  (Fri) - 12:00 close (Sun)
Session 4 Face-to-face Friday 23rd April 2021  
  • Online sessions will be delivered via Zoom.
  • Face-to-face sessions will be delivered at Brooke Weston Academy, Corby, NN18 8LA (unless government guidance restricts this due to COVID-19)
  • Residential will be held at Kettering Park Hotel.

Additional support 

Support
Detail
Who for?
When?
1:1 Zoom assessment surgery Setting up your project Participant & mentors January/ February 2021
1:1 Zoom assessment surgery Preparing for submission Participant & mentors November 2021
Submission document check window Ensuring project is ready to submit. Checking all of your documents are present and labelled correctly. - March 2022

Individual Support: Sponsors, coaches and mentors 

Each participant must have a name Sponsor who will support them throughout their NPQSL. Their feedback and input provide critical evidence – and Sponsor Comments are a required supporting document when it comes to submission. Detailed information and guidance about the Sponsor role can be found in this document: Sponsor Guidance and Template.

Participants should also be supported a coach or mentor. This person can also act as their Sponsor. This is the ensure that, as they complete their NPQSL, they have access to a range of leadership and instructional support.

 

NPQH Application process:

  1. Complete the NPQ booking form: NPQ Booking Form (you will require your mentor/sponsor, invoicing and authorisation)
  2. A member of the team will be in touch with an application pack to complete & scholarship registration information