In the Department for Education's (DfE's) March 2022 white paper, it states that:
“Schools will be able to have a trained literacy expert through a new National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy.”
The new National Professional Qualification for Leading Literacy is important for primary and secondary schools.
Although the role varies, many phase leaders, key stage leaders, and heads of department (or similar titles) with responsibilities for leading literacy are considered to be part of the middle leadership team.
An excellent literacy leader will have a deep understanding of the fundamental importance of literacy and recognise its influence on students’ future academic achievement, wellbeing, and success in life.
In addition, they will have expertise across several specialist areas related to their role (eg developing students’ spoken language) and a passion for literature that they want to share with the school community.
Literacy leaders also need to understand the school and wider community in which they work, enabling them to share their expertise effectively. They must understand how to prioritise professional development to ensure their colleagues have the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional support to teach reading and writing effectively. They must also work with their colleagues, collectively enabling their school to keep improving. This new qualification will assist with all of these elements.
Key sections covered in this qualification include:
This National Professional Qualification will be a highly practical blended programme. It will allow you to reflect on best practice and to hear from excellent leaders delivering in these areas both locally and nationally.
The qualification will include self-directed study, webinars and face-to-face sessions. It will be assessed through a short case study at the end of the programme.
February 2023
This NPQ is fully funded by the DfE, with no cost to you, as long as you work in a state-funded school or state-funded organisation that offers 16 to 19 places in England.
If you aren't eligible for funding, the cost is £899.