National Professional Qualification
Senior Leadership (NPQSL) for international schools
Our National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) programme develops leaders to drive whole-school improvement, creating a lasting impact across their school community.
98% NPQ Participant satisfaction Rating
DfE Satisfaction Survey, Spring 2023
At a glance
Course duration
18 months
Virtual Face-to-Face Events
4
Online learning
38 hours
Coaching
6 hours
Total Learning Hours
90 hours
What will you learn on the NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)?
On the NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) programme, you’ll gain the critical skills and strategic insight needed to excel as a leader in an international school setting.
The curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of effective senior leadership, from setting a clear vision and creating a culture of high expectations to driving whole-school improvement and managing resources effectively.
You’ll learn how to lead teams to ensure high-quality teaching, support staff development, and make data-driven decisions. The programme also addresses unique challenges in international schools, such as working within diverse cultural contexts and adapting to different educational standards.
_1280.png)
Who should apply for NPQSL?
- Assistant Headteachers
- Deputy Headteachers
- Senior Pastoral Leaders
- Senior Curriculum Leaders
- Leaders of School Improvement
- Heads of Key Stage
How is the Senior Leadership programme delivered?
The NPQSL is an 18-month programme that includes three face-to-face events, 38 hours of online study, and time allocated for independent learning.
This qualification follows a structured, cyclical approach, beginning with a face-to-face event that participants can attend either in person or remotely from any location worldwide.
Each cycle then progresses with an online module, practical activities, and a formative assessment task, enabling you to immediately apply newly acquired skills. The cycle concludes with in-school performance coaching, providing tailored support to help embed your learning effectively. This approach combines flexibility with practical, in-depth development tailored to the needs of school leaders.
The programme culminates in an Impact Review and a Summative Assessment Case Study.
What are the benefits of completing the NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL)?
The NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) provides international school leaders with the latest strategies for driving whole-school improvement and achieving excellent pupil outcomes.
Designed with global educators in mind, the curriculum equips you with the skills to lead effectively across diverse, multicultural settings, building a cohesive vision and promoting high standards throughout your school.
With Best Practice Network, you’ll receive continuous support, including personalised coaching and access to a purpose-built virtual learning environment tailored for international contexts.
Our global network of schools, organisations, and universities ensures that the programme is informed by a wealth of international expertise. Delivered by skilled facilitators in your region (or available as a remote online-only qualification), the NPQSL offers a learning experience that is relevant, supportive, and directly applicable to the unique challenges and opportunities in international education.
Benefits for schools
- Leaders trained through the NPQSL will be equipped to contribute to establishing and sustaining the school's strategic direction, driving impactful, long-term improvement.
- Participants will help develop and maintain an effective school culture, ensuring a unified approach to achieving high standards across all areas.
- NPQSL-trained leaders will contribute to improving the quality of teaching, ensuring lessons stimulate pupil thinking and understanding, and lead to better academic outcomes.
- By fostering effective school-wide planning and preparation, these leaders can ensure that educational delivery is consistent, efficient, and aligns with the school’s broader goals.
- Schools gain from regular updates provided to mentors and headteachers, keeping leadership development aligned with the school’s priorities and providing clarity on progress.
- The programme ensures leaders are well-prepared, minimising disruption and providing a steady path to passing final assessments, which supports smooth, effective transitions into senior roles.
Benefits for learners
- You will learn how to establish and sustain a strategic direction for your school, developing your ability to lead with impact and influence long-term outcomes.
- You will gain skills in creating and maintaining an effective school culture, empowering you to make meaningful and lasting improvements.
- The NPQSL will prepare you to take on greater responsibilities, enhancing your ability to drive school-wide initiatives and contribute to overall school success.
- By mastering strategic planning and aligning efforts across teams, you’ll position yourself as an influential leader capable of implementing lasting change.
- You will have access to a purpose-built virtual learning environment, making study flexible and convenient, with resources designed for mobiles and tablets.
- You will also receive guaranteed support to pass the final assessment, giving you the confidence and tools needed to succeed in your senior leadership journey.
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 NPQSL, 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.
NPQSL International costs £1705 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.
- 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
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 NPQSL 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 Headship
Equips headteachers or aspiring heads with the skills to manage and lead a school effectively.
Learn moreNPQ for Executive Leaders
Prepares executive-level leaders, or aspiring leaders, to effectively lead multiple schools at the CEO level.
Learn more
Opt-in to the BPN International newsletter
Keep up to date with all the latest international NPQ news
Our programmes
Get in touch
+44 (0) 117 920 9200
(8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)
enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk
Best Practice Network International
Newminster House, 27-29 Baldwin St
Bristol, BS1 1LT, United Kingdom
© Best Practice Network 2024. Company Number 04472661. All Rights Reserved.