What is the NPQLBC?
The NPQLBC is a Department for Education–accredited qualification for teachers who lead (or aspire to lead) behaviour and/or pupil wellbeing, developing the knowledge, skills and concepts needed to sustain high expectations and a positive culture across a school. bestpracticenet.co.uk
Who is it for?
Teachers with responsibilities for leading behaviour and culture, or supporting pupil wellbeing, and those aspiring to such roles. bestpracticenet.co.uk
How long does it take?
The programme runs over 12 months. bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
How is it delivered?
Delivery is blended: three face-to-face events, online study via BPN’s Canvas VLE, live webinars, and coaching. Face-to-face events are delivered through a nationwide partner network. bestpracticenet.co.uk
How many hours are involved?
At a glance: 3 face-to-face events, 34 hours of online learning, 5 hours of coaching, 74 total guided learning hours. bestpracticenet.co.uk
What support will I get?
You’ll have an Online Leadership Mentor (your main point of contact) who provides advice and feedback on practice tasks and formative assessments, plus an In-School Performance Coach (ISPC) nominated by your school to support application in practice. bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
What’s the programme structure?
After induction, you move through three development cycles aligned to the DfE framework, each including targeted study, practice tasks, a formative assessment task, and ISPC coaching. bestpracticenet.co.uk
What do I study?
The curriculum spans teaching foundations, behaviour and culture, leading behaviour systems, and building culture & ethos, mapped to the NPQLBC framework’s “learn that / learn how to” statements. bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
How am I assessed?
To pass you must (a) meet 90% engagement across required elements and (b) complete a summative assessment: an 8-day, written response (max 1,500 words) to a case-study scenario. bestpracticenet.co.uk
What are the entry requirements?
You’ll need your school/organisation’s support (DfE requirement), a Teacher Reference Number (TRN), at least 2 years’ teaching experience, and leadership aspiration/experience. (See the TRN guidance if you need help retrieving or obtaining your TRN.) bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
Where will the face-to-face days take place?
Events run locally through BPN’s nationwide partnership network, with allocation to a convenient regional group (subject to group viability). bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
What are the benefits for participants and schools?
Participants build expertise to maintain high expectations and a positive culture; schools gain leaders able to make evidence-informed decisions and evaluate/improve behaviour systems. bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
When can I start and how do I apply?
The page is currently inviting interest for the November 2025 cohort—use the “Register Interest”/“Apply” buttons there. bestpracticenet.co.uk+1
What does the ISPC actually do?
The ISPC holds progress-focused coaching conversations (usually 2–5 sessions across the year, including an Impact Review alongside your mentor) to help you apply learning and stay on track. bestpracticenet.co.uk
What exactly is in the DfE NPQLBC framework?
It codifies the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours for leading behaviour and culture—covering teaching, school culture, enabling conditions for good behaviour, complex behavioural needs, professional development, and implementation. bestpracticenet.co.uk