From Autumn 24, the DfE have changed the scholarship funding available for NPQs. This means there are limited funded spaces across all lead providers, and only certain schools are eligible for funding.
Through Best Practice Network, NPQ for SENCOs, NPQH and EHCO following the same funding eligibility criteria as previous cohorts. Whereas NPQEL, NPQSL, NPQLTD, NPQLBC & NPQLT are subject to the newly introduced 50% pupil premium eligibility criteria.
Find out if your school is eligible through our URN checker on the BPN website, or for more information please visit the DfE website.
I am eligible for scholarship funding
I have not received an update on my application
We are still confirming the number of scholarship places we have available in all regions across the UK.
This means that we can offer some participants scholarship places before others, based on location. If you have not yet been offered a scholarship place with BPN, this may be because you are in a region we are still confirming spaces for, or we may be waiting for confirmation from our partners in your area to confirm venue capacity to deliver the programme.
Spaces are limited this cohort, and we cannot guarantee that you will be offered a scholarship funded place for this NPQ programme. We are however working hard with teaching school hubs and other partners in your area to confirm whether we can support you on your desired NPQ in your area for this upcoming Autumn cohort.
We expect to confirm these details by the end of July, which is when we look forward to providing an update on the funding options available to participants.
I have been offered a place on programme
Great! This means we have scholarship funded spaces in your area. Please note, signing your offer letter does not guarantee your funding. You must:
- Register with the DfE correctly, with BPN as your provider
- Confirm your intention to access your allocated funded space via the funding link sent via email (within the 5 working day window)
You will be prompted via email to complete both tasks once you have signed your offer letter. You can keep track of the status of your application via your Application Progress on our website here.
I am not eligible for scholarship funding
Self or school funding options
Scholarship funding is not essential to undertake a NPQ programme with Best Practice Network. You can still gain this qualification with us by self-funding the course or by your school paying the course fee. If you have not applied yet, you can simply select ‘self-funded’ or ‘funded through school’ when asked how you will fund the programme.
We are unable to accept split payments between an individual and their school, however if you come to an agreement (e.g. your school pays the fee to us, and you contribute payments to them) this is between you and your school.
If you have already applied and marked your funding route as scholarship funded, you can amend this on your application here or by submitting a request with our NPQ support team here.
Study Leadership NPQs via an Apprenticeship route
Alternatively, we offer Leader Apprenticeships with NPQ programmes which means you can gain both a NPQ qualification and an apprenticeship for NPQSL, NPQH and NPQEL. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ programmes are a unique blend of the NPQ frameworks and the Level 5 & 7 Apprenticeships modules that only Best Practice Network offer.
This option is completely free for learners through the apprenticeship levy or the co-investment scheme. Find out more about these fantastic programmes here.