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uk/npqh
Key facts:
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1. NPQH is for those who with support will be ready
for headship in 1218 months. It prepares aspiring
headteachers for the challenges and rewards of
headship, helping them build the confidence, skills and
experience they need.
2. NPQH is a professional qualification that is valid for the
length of your career.
3. You do not need to be a deputy headteacher to apply
to NPQH, or to have qualified teacher status (QTS).
Applications are assessed on evidence provided against
the National Standards for Headteachers.
4. The application form requests an example of whole-
school strategic evidence. This is verified by the
applicants headteacher or line manager, who submits the
application on your behalf.
5. The NPQH Entry Centres are responsible for the delivery of the entry stage, including the assessment of applications
and the delivery of the two-day entry assessment and development event. They are a source of advice and
information about applying to the programme, and hold local information sessions that can support you to find out
more about NPQH.
North: barbara.fisher@manchester.ac.uk
Central: l.rae@hti.org.uk
South: enquiries@selt.org.uk
6. If your application is successful, you will be invited to complete a personal development review and a 360 online
diagnostic before attending the two-day assessment and development event. This assesses your readiness for NPQH
through a range of assessment and development activities designed to reflect the role of a headteacher. The event
finishes with a one-to-one feedback session to agree key strengths and areas for development.
7. NPQH participants attend a regional introductory day to identify their development needs. During the course of the
programme you are entitled to:
up to 7 hours of coaching
a choice from 15 online short courses
3 4 weeks of online training
school-based learning opportunities
a placement in a leadership development school.
National Professional
Qualifcation for Headship (NPQH)
The National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), is a personalised
programme which an aspiring headteacher needs to complete before their first
appointment. It provides the best possible development and ensures children and
young people will have great headteachers.

8. Participants will present to a graduation panel between 4 and 12 months after the regional introductory day. The
board lasts approximately an hour and a quarter, and provides an opportunity to demonstrate readiness for headship.
The panel of three will include at least one serving headteacher.
9. You do not have to secure a headship within 18 months of graduating. Our aspiration is that NPQH will give graduates
the confidence and experience needed to find the right headship role; with support from our Head Start programme.
10. If you are not ready to apply now, there are four opportunities to apply for NPQH each year, visit:
www.nationalcollege.org.uk/npqh for details of the application rounds.
A number of resources are available to help you decide if you are ready to apply for NPQH. For more information please visit:
www.nationalcollege.org.uk/npqh.
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Graduation stage:
Graduation board assessment
Pre entry:
Access resources to help gauge your readiness
Entry stage:
Complete application, with verification by headteacher (or line manager)
Two-day assessment and development event
Development stage:
Introductory day, to plan pathway through the programme:
coaching, placement, materials, events, peer learning, work-based learning
After graduation and into early headship:
Continued support in Head Start

If you are not ready to apply now, there are four opportunities to apply for NPQH each year, visit:
www.nationalcollege.org.uk/npqh for details of the application rounds.