Why Study for an NPQ?

The National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) offer comprehensive training and support for teachers and school leaders at every stage of their careers. Whether seeking to develop expertise in high-quality teaching practice, such as behaviour management, or augmenting skills for those leading multiple schools across trusts, NPQs provide a structured pathway to achieving your goals.

Aspirations Learning Institute is proud to work with Leadership Learning Securing Excellence (LLSE) to deliver the NPQ framework across southern England, with hubs in Oxfordshire, West London and the south coast.

The new NPQ frameworks are evidence-based and build on key learning from the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) core content framework and the Early Career Framework (ECF).

Completing an NPQ can help you enhance your skills, advance your career, gain confidence in your role and support staff development in your school.

National Professional Qualifications Application Form

Complete the application form, selecting Aspirations Academies as your delivery partner from the dropdown menu.

Apply here

Why Choose Aspirations Learning Institute?

Since October 2022, Aspirations Learning Institute has partnered with LLSE as a trusted delivery partner. LLSE, a lead provider for the reformed NPQs, brings more than 10 years of experience in delivering high-quality training. Together, we offer the NPQs in over 69 local authorities across southern England and 25 countries worldwide.

As part of Aspirations Academies Trust, we have a proud history of successful teacher training at all levels and draw on significant expertise to inspire personal growth. With 16 academies educating around 9000 students aged 2–18, we’ve developed strong support networks that enrich our NPQ programmes.

We take pride in delivering:

  • High standards of support and mentoring for candidates
  • Expert facilitators who guide your development
  • Intellectually stimulating opportunities that help you unlock your potential and abilities

At Aspirations Learning Institute, we aim to empower teachers to excel in their practice and foster the next generation of school leaders.

National Professional Qualifications training at Aspirations Academies

Our Suite of NPQs

Applications are open now for the following:

HEADSHIP (NPQH)

Develop flexible leadership expertise to address challenges across a range of contexts. This programme equips you to identify and resolve persistent issues, connect with a network of leaders, and contribute to the collective growth of the education system.

Special education needs coordinator (NPQSENCO)

Designed for new, current, or aspiring SENCOs, this qualification explores the foundations of effective SEND leadership.

EARLY COACHING HEADSHIP OFFER (EHCO)

A tailored development programme designed for leaders in the first five years of their headship. This offer is available to those who have completed or are currently undertaking the NPQH, providing targeted support to help you thrive in your leadership role.

Our programmes offers access to a network of leaders at Aspirations Learning Institute and LLSE

What to Expect

Our programmes provide:

  • High-quality content designed by experienced educators and strategic partners
  • Support from expert facilitators to guide, challenge and inspire
  • Contextualised learning tailored to different teaching and leadership scenarios
  • An intuitive online learning platform, making your learning accessible anytime anywhere
  • Manageable workloads with structured learning activities
  • Regular face to face learning and online workshops to build connections with other teachers and leaders
  • Individual coaching built into every NPQ to support your personal and professional growth
  • Implementation planning to lead meaningful change in your school
  • Access to a network of leaders at Aspirations Learning Institute and LLSE

For more information, about NPQs with Aspirations, visit the LLSE website or email: info@aspirationsacademies.org. Our friendly team is happy to help with any queries.

Costs and Funding

National Professional Qualifications are currently fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE). Before applying, discuss with your headteacher to ensure alignment with your school’s strategic direction. Evidence of headteacher support will be needed when you apply.

Funding update for academic year starting 2023/24

The DFE have updated the Targeted Support and Delivery Fund offer for the next academic year to support teachers and leaders working in small state-funded settings.

For each teacher or leader, a state-funded school or state-funded 16-19 organisation employs who takes an NPQ in 2023/24 academic year will receive a grant payment of:

  • £200 for state-funded primary schools regardless of size
  • £800 for state-funded primary schools with one to 150 pupils (£600 in addition to the £200 grant payment)
  • £200 for state-funded secondary schools and state-funded 16-19 educational settings with one to 600 pupils

Future Funding

The DfE will fund up to 10, 000 places for the following NPQs regardless of the level of disadvantage experienced in the school and as long as the participants school still meets the eligibility criteria. These NPQs are NPQH,  EHCO,  NPQ SENCO, NPQLPM.

Scholarship funding will only continue for the rest of the NPQs for schools who are in the top 50% of schools for levels of disadvantage.

Apply now

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