National Professional Qualification
Headship (NPQH) for international schools
Our National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) programme prepares aspiring & current headteachers to lead schools effectively, shaping a thriving educational environment for pupils and staff alike.
98% NPQ Participant satisfaction Rating
DfE Satisfaction Survey, Spring 2023
At a glance
Course duration
18 months
Virtual Face-to-Face Events
5
Online learning
38 hours
Coaching
6 hours
Total Learning Hours
104 hours
What will you learn on the NPQ for Headship (NPQH) programme?
The NPQ for Headship (NPQH) programme is designed to equip leaders in international schools with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in diverse educational settings. It focuses on strategic leadership, enabling participants to develop a clear vision tailored to their unique school context while driving improvements in student outcomes.
Key areas include managing resources effectively, leading teaching and curriculum development, and cultivating a positive, inclusive school culture that reflects the values of international education. Participants will also learn how to engage with key stakeholders, such as parents, governing bodies, and the broader international community, to foster a collaborative and supportive school environment.
Additionally, the NPQH strengthens leaders' capabilities in implementing change, enhancing school performance, and ensuring compliance with both statutory and safeguarding requirements specific to international school settings.
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Who should apply for NPQH?
- Senior Leaders
- Assistant Headteachers
- Deputy Headteachers
- Aspiring Headteachers
- Headteachers
How is the Headship programme delivered?
The NPQH is an 18-month programme that includes three Face-to-Face events, 38 hours of online study, and dedicated time for independent learning.
This qualification follows a structured, cyclical model, beginning with a face-to-face event that participants can join either in person or remotely from anywhere in the world.
Each cycle then continues with an online module, hands-on activities, and a formative assessment task, empowering you to apply new leadership skills immediately. The cycle concludes with in-school performance coaching, offering personalised support to embed your learning effectively. This blend of flexibility and practical, in-depth development is specifically designed to address the challenges of headship.
The programme culminates in an Impact Review, followed by a Summative Assessment Case Study.
What are the benefits of completing the NPQ for Headship (NPQH)?
The NPQ Headship (NPQH) provides candidates with up-to-date knowledge on how to lead a school effectively, setting a strategic vision and driving the development of staff and pupils across the whole school community.
Not only does Best Practice Network support you throughout the course via personal coaching and a purpose build virtual learning environment, we also have a global network of 165 schools, organisations, and universities.
This diverse expertise helps us develop tailored programmes, which is delivered by skilled facilitators in your area.
Benefits for schools
- The NPQH prepares leaders to take on whole-school responsibilities, ensuring schools have confident, capable headteachers who can drive strategic improvement and raise standards.
- Schools benefit from a leader who can establish and implement a cohesive vision, aligning all efforts towards achieving high-quality outcomes for pupils.
- Headteachers trained through the NPQH are professionally aware and able to make informed, evidence-based decisions, helping the school to navigate new challenges effectively and efficiently.
- These leaders are equipped to review and evaluate school practices thoroughly, implementing changes that positively impact both students and staff.
- NPQH graduates learn to delegate responsibility effectively, empowering other staff members to lead on key school improvement initiatives and fostering a collaborative school culture.
- By building a strong, impact-focused leadership team, schools can ensure the succession of high-quality leaders, maintaining continuous progress and stability.
Benefits for learners
- You will develop the key skills required for effective headship, enabling you to confidently lead a school and drive long-term success.
- This qualification is DfE accredited and internationally recognised, reflecting a high standard of leadership development and boosting your professional credentials.
- The NPQH offers opportunities for reflection on your leadership practice and allows you to network with a diverse group of school leaders, broadening your perspectives.
- You will gain increased self-awareness and a deeper understanding of the behaviours needed to inspire and lead your school community effectively.
- The programme will boost your confidence to articulate and drive a compelling vision, while also enhancing your ability to improve school standards.
- You will strengthen your capacity to take on whole-school responsibilities and learn how to hold others to account, ensuring impactful and sustainable improvements.
Frequently asked questions about National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
Applicants must have full support from a sponsor within their school/organisation. This can be a head teacher, member of the SLT, line manager or Chair of Governors (or similar authoritative role) who must confirm their support for your application and that all information submitted is true and correct. There is no financial obligation for this role and it is a Department for Education mandatory requirement.
To apply for NPQH, applicants must have the following:
- Teacher Reference Number (TRN) - see TRN Support Guide
- 2 years teaching experience
- Leadership aspiration/experience
- Must be proficient in English
If you are unsure if you meet the above requirements or have other relevant experience then please contact our team who will be able to support your application.
NPQH International costs £2750 plus VAT where applicable. VAT is chargeable on courses funded by private individuals.
Please refer to our NPQ programme funding guidance document for more information.
The Leadership Performance Coach (LPC) is a participant’s main point of contact for the duration of the NPQH. Our Leadership Performance Coaches are experienced teachers and leaders who are experts in our programme curriculum. They understand first-hand the challenges teachers experience in work life. Their role is to support a participant's progress and development through the programme. They support you by:
- Providing advice and feedback throughout the programme
- Marking and responding to all of your practice task activities completed for each online course
- Providing you with feedback on each of the Formative Assessment Tasks following their completion
Our Leadership Performance Coaches apply flexibility and are accountable to ensure success on your programme. With the above responsibilities, their main role and purpose is to help you manage your workload and ensure work life balance as much as possible whilst studying with us.
At the end of the programme, in conjunction with their mentor, participants will evaluate the impact of the programme on their leadership development and the benefits to their school.
The NPQ frameworks are based on a robust method of design and development, building on the evidence base and expert guidance already established in the ECF and the ITT Core Content Framework. The NPQ frameworks reflect the Teachers’ Standards and Headteachers' Standards to ensure coherency with the requirements already used by the teaching profession.
Please see the NPQH Framework below. If your computer or device does not support the Adobe plugin you can download the framework pdf here.
Related Courses & Content
NPQ for Senior Leadership
Designed for heads of year or subject leads who wish to drive the strategic direction and culture of the school.
Learn moreNPQ for Executive Leadership
Prepares executive-level leaders, or aspiring leaders, to effectively lead multiple schools at the CEO level.
Learn more
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