Why us?
Choose our NPQ for Headship and you’ll be joining over 32,000 teachers and school leaders (as of December 2024), who have decided on Ambition to complete their NPQ since they were launched in 2021.
Evidence informed curriculum
Our carefully sequenced and evidence informed NPQ is designed around the key problems you face. You'll learn to implement your learning into practice in your school setting.
Access the latest research
Develop your knowledge and skills to lead school improvement at headship level. This programme aims to develop expertise that is flexible and allows participants to respond to the challenges they will encounter in a range of contexts.
Train to your timetable
Our 'little and often' approach means you'll need on average just one hour per week to engage in our NPQs, helping you to fit your NPQH around your timetable.
No large project
On our NPQs, there's no large project at the end. Instead, you'll sit an 'open book' assessment with support via a live webinar and clinics available to help you get the most from your NPQ.
Join our charitable mission
We support teachers and school leaders at every stage of their careers, helping them to keep getting better. We are a charity providing training and professional development based on the most rigorous research and evidence about what really works.
Benefits for you
Learn crucial skills and sector knowledge
All the knowledge you’ll learn on this programme is drawn from a single, evidence-based framework shared by other educators across England.
Learning that sticks
Training is delivered little and often, in regular bite-sized chunks, so there are no long days of training that take you away from your day job. Learning in short, sharp bursts also helps you to retain knowledge.
Thrive in your school setting
Develop the knowledge and skills to work to the best of your ability and tackle the complexities and challenges of your daily role.
Drive habit change
Embedding new habits can be tricky. Our dual modules help you to apply what you learn, connecting theory to practice, to help those habits stick. Insight modules capture the very best the sector has to contribute on a given topic. Application modules help you to use the ideas in context, with support from peers.
Build your network
You’ll connect with other senior leaders, sharing your experiences and building a strong support network that lasts long after you finish the course.
Benefits for your school or trust
Create confident school leaders
Headteachers are equipped with school-focused leadership knowledge, which they can use to establish a culture and conditions where staff and pupils can thrive.
Underpinned by the latest evidence
The framework for the new NPQ for Headship was developed using the latest evidence on effective professional development for teachers and leaders, approved by the Education Endowment Fund (EFF).
Shared learning
Participants learn alongside colleagues whose context is similar, facilitated by delivery partners who know and understand your needs.
Create a common knowledge base
All our NPQs are aligned, meaning teachers and leaders share a common language and framework to drive improvement in their school.
Transform pupil outcomes
Education Policy Institute research shows that high quality professional development can improve pupil outcomes almost as effectively as having a teacher with 10 years’ experience in the classroom.*
Frequently asked questions
What is the NPQH qualification?
The NPQH is a DfE accredited qualification, designed to equip and develop current and aspiring headteachers in England.
How to become a Headteacher?
You need to be a fully qualified teacher and show that you have worked in a senior position in the education sector.
Do I need NPQH to be a Headteacher?
No, you do not need the NPQH to be a headteacher. This requirement was removed in 2012 however, this qualification will still be beneficial for your professional development and applying for roles.
Who is the NPQH programme for?
The NPQ for Headship is designed for serving headteachers, or are aspiring to be a headteacher or head of school with a responsibility of leading a school.
Is the NPQH equivalent to a Master's?
Ambition does not have an arrangement with any Higher Education Institutions (HEI) to guarantee that completing one of our NPQs will count towards Master’s credits. However, your HEI may agree to recognise your NPQ if you enquire with them. So, we recommend directly contacting your place of study to ask.
How long does the NPQH programme last?
The NPQ for Headship is an eighteen month programme.
Can you do the NPQH online?
Most of the content is delivered online through a blend of real-time, interactive online sessions and asynchronous self-guided modules. Throughout the programme, there are also 12 total hours of in-person learning, in the form of two one-day conferences.
How does the NPQH programme accommodate busy schedules?
The NPQ for Headship is designed to fit around your schedule with a 'little and often' approach that aligns with insights from the science of learning.
Is the NPQH programme fully funded?
The NPQ for Headship is fully funded for teachers and school leaders who work in eligible schools and organisations in England, by the Department for Education. Find out more about the eligibility criteria in the 'Funding' tab.
Are the any specific requirements to enrol on the NPQH programme?
To be eligible for the NPQ for Headship, you must be a serving teacher in a school or eligible organisation in England and have completed your early career training.
What is the NPQH assessment process like?
You’ll sit an ‘open book’ style assessment in which you respond to a short case study. The assessment window starts at the end of the programme and runs for three months. During this which, you’ll be given an eight-day window to complete the case study. We will offer a webinar and live clinic in advance of the assessment window to support you.
What is the pass rate for the NPQH?
We are proud of the positive impact our NPQH is having on school leaders. Check our latest pass rate on the 'Assessment' tab.
Overview
Our NPQ in Headship course follows the Department for Education’s National Professional Qualification: Headship.
On this programme, you will learn how to:
- set clear goals and communicate shared values that improve classroom and school culture
- lead effective implementation in educational settings
- lead effective professional development to improve practice and outcomes for pupils
- support colleagues to meet individual needs and make sure all pupils have access to a rich curriculum
- lead school-wide professional development for staff
- establish good financial, human and educational resource management
- make and act on evidence-informed decisions
- work well with parents, carers, other schools and the wider community
- lead by example, be accountable for decisions and make sure staff know their professional responsibilities.
Note: programme content is subject to change.
How you'll learn
Our NPQH is designed so you can engage in live, facilitated sessions alongside modules you can complete at any time.
Over 18 months, our NPQH includes:
- A school visit.
- Two full day conferences (6hrs each).
- Nine courses (each course lasts six weeks and loosely aligned to a school half term).
- Each course includes six modules.
- Seven two-hour clinics (facilitated sessions).
- One two-hour assessment clinic.
- Five communities (1hr15mins group sessions).
The content is delivered through blended learning. This includes 12 hours of in-person delivery (via 2 full day conferences and in-person twilight sessions), a mix of real-time, interactive online sessions and self-guided modules you complete in your own time.
The programme includes facilitator-led sessions with your peer group that focus on decision making. The programme starts with a one-day live conference.
Note: programme content is subject to change.
Locations
Join a local cohort with one of our regional partners and benefit from our expert curriculum design along with a tailored experience linked to your local context.
If you are unable to find a local cohort, you can join Ambition’s national cohort and gain a national network of peers. Either way, we work to give you the best possible experience.
Find a cohort that’s local to you in our list of partners here
What our partners can do for you
Ambition Institute provides high-quality content and materials, built on our experience in schools and other learning environments, and our deep knowledge of evidence and practice.
Our partner in your region will put this knowledge into context and manage your experience on the programme, from facilitation to day-to-day support.
The timings and methods of activity, sizes of cohorts and the cost of the programme may vary across delivery partners.
Assessment
Our NPQ courses no longer include a large project at the end. Instead, you’ll sit an ‘open book’ style assessment in which you respond to a short case study.
The assessment window starts at the end of the 18-month programme and runs for three months. During this time, you’ll be given an eight-day window to complete the case study.
There are two assessment windows every year, and participants can sit the assessment two times, if they need to.
You need to complete the course to qualify for the NPQ accreditation.
We will offer a webinar and live clinic in advance of the assessment window to support you.
Testimonials
Cost
Limited DfE scholarship funding is available for spring 2025. Funding will target those teachers and leaders who work in the most challenging schools or educational settings, serving more disadvantaged communities.
DfE-funded scholarships are available for this NPQ for all those who meet the following criteria:
- Are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school.
- Work in a state school in England.
School eligibility lists for the spring cohorts will be available from the DfE in early 2025. When the DfE update the list of schools, we will inform you if you are eligible for a funded place. If you are not eligible, we will offer alternative funding options.
Check if you're eligible!
If you're unsure whether you will qualify for this 'pupil premium' based on funding, please use our online eligibility check tool.
*Currently nurseries are not available yet on the tool. If you work in a nursery, please contact us directly at [email protected]
If you do not work in an eligible school, the NPQ in Headship costs £1,949 plus VAT.
Get in touch to find out more here.
Self-funded payment options
If you are unable to access a DfE funded scholarship, you can pay for your NPQ.
We will invoice the school/trust contact you provide in your application directly. Depending on your school type, they maybe be able to reclaim VAT.
If you are unable to come to an arrangement with your school, we can invoice you directly, but you will not be able to reclaim VAT.
Unfortunately, we do not offer payment plans for our NPQ programmes.
The cost of your programme must be paid in full before the start of your programme. We are unable to offer refunds once you start the programme.
DfE funding restrictions
Due to DfE funding being limited, being eligible for an NPQ scholarship does not guarantee either suitability for the course or that a funded course place is available.
If funded places are not available, you can:
- approach a different NPQ provider to enquire about the availability of funded course places
- choose to join your chosen providers waiting list
- choose to pay for a course place
Eligibility
To be eligible for this programme, you must be a school leader who is or aspiring to be a headteacher or head of school with a responsibility for leading a school.
This course could be suitable if you’re a:
- Headteacher/Principal
- Head of School
- Director of teaching school
- Deputy, Assistant or Vice Headteacher/Principal
NPQs are not suitable for active Early Career Teachers.
If you have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.
Apply
Applications are now open for spring 2025 cohorts. Start your application here >>
Apply by 18 March 2025 to start in April 2025.
To apply, you must be a school leader who is or aspiring to be a headteacher or head of school with a responsibility for leading a school.
This course could be suitable if you’re a:
- Headteacher/Principal
- Head of School
- Director of teaching school
- Deputy, Assistant or Vice Headteacher/Principal
NPQs are not suitable for active Early Career Teachers.
If you have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.