Leading a school is complex.
Although some headteachers and principals still teach, the role is primarily a strategic and operational one and relies on working with and through their colleagues, particularly the leadership team, to ensure every pupil gets an excellent education.
Those in this role need to have a strong understanding of their context, community and the pupils and adults they work with. They also need to have a depth of expertise across several specialist areas related to their role (eg curriculum and assessment, behaviour, organisational management) and in approaches that, through working with their colleagues, enable their school to keep improving (eg professional development and implementation).
They must understand the relationship between these different domains, how they can change over time, set an ambitious vision for their school, and establish the culture and conditions in which staff and pupils can thrive. They must also maintain the highest professional conduct set out in the Teachers’ Standards and Headteachers’ Standards. That means developing expertise in school leadership is also complex.
This framework is a codification of essential knowledge, skills, and concepts that underpin a school's successful leadership.
It sets out what those leading a school should know and can do within the specialist areas related to their role and approaches that enable their school to improve.
This NPQH is fully funded by the DfE.
The key sections of the qualification are as follows:
Download the full specification for the NPQ for Headship here
99% pass rate for National Professional Qualifications.
We have an outstanding reputation for delivering best practice programmes that make a real difference.
We are a trusted partner working with sector-leading partners to support schools and trusts.
Our lead provider, the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. We work in collaboration with schools across the country, ensuring that our findings benefit all schools, teachers and leaders.
February 2023
For staff from state-funded schools or 16-19 organisations in England, places are fully funded by the DfE. There will be no cost to the participant.
You can study towards more than one NPQ, but will only be eligible for funding for each NPQ once. If you withdraw from or fail your programme, you will not be funded again for the same NPQ.
If you aren't eligible for funding, the cost is £1,470.
To find out more about the NPQ in Headship with the National Institute of Teaching please visit their website: