The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD is a 12-month dual-award program combining the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development and Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship. Designed for teachers leading or aspiring to lead teacher development, it includes blended learning, coaching, and face-to-face events. Upon completion, participants gain leadership and project management skills, with potential master's degree credits. Funding may come from the Apprenticeship Levy.
The Leader Apprenticeship with National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) is a 12-month dual-award programme. It combines the NPQLTD with the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship, helping you develop practice-based leadership skills in your school.
What is the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD?
The programme maps the Department for Education’s NPQLTD to the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship. You work towards both qualifications while applying your leadership learning directly in your school.
More information is available on the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD programme page.
Who is the programme for?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD is designed for teachers who lead, or aspire to lead, the development of other teachers. This may involve leading teacher development across a whole school or working specifically with trainees and early career teachers.
Who can apply?
To apply for the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD, you need:
- full support from your employer
- a Teacher Reference Number (TRN)
- at least two years of teaching experience
- leadership experience or an aspiration to lead.
A headteacher or equivalent must confirm their support as part of the Department for Education’s mandatory requirements.
What will you learn?
The programme combines the NPQLTD’s evidence-informed approach to teacher development with the Level 4 Associate Project Manager standard’s operational and people-management focus.
You develop practical skills in:
- coaching
- performance management
- project management
- leading sustained improvements in classroom practice.
How is the programme delivered?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD runs over 12 months through a blended learning model. Delivery includes:
- three face-to-face events
- online study through BUD, Best Practice Network’s virtual learning environment
- webinars
- monthly coaching to help you apply your learning.
The three face-to-face events are delivered through a nationwide partner network and facilitated by local school leaders.
How does BUD support your learning?
BUD is Best Practice Network’s virtual learning environment. You use it to access learning resources, communities and feedback, and it supports submission and assessment workflows.
What qualifications will you gain?
When you complete the programme, you receive the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development and the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship. These awards reflect both specialist teacher-development expertise and core leadership capabilities.
Can the programme contribute towards a master’s degree?
Best Practice Network partners with universities so National Professional Qualifications and Leader Apprenticeships can contribute credits towards a master’s degree.
For example, the NPQLTD can be worth 40 Level 7 credits with the University of Chester or 30 Level 7 credits with Liverpool Hope University. Credit amounts vary by university.
See the master’s credits for National Professional Qualifications page for more information.
How are programme costs funded?
Schools may use Apprenticeship Levy funding through their Apprenticeship Service account. Government co-investment may be available to employers that do not pay the levy.
See the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD programme page for current programme fees, funding amounts and employer contribution information.
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is paid by large employers to create sustainable funding for apprenticeships. It gives employers control over staff training opportunities, and apprenticeship funding can support both new and existing staff.
Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for the current levy threshold and contribution rate.
What application support is available?
If your school needs help setting up its Apprenticeship Service account, Best Practice Network will guide it through the process as part of arranging funding.
Why do you need a Teacher Reference Number?
A Teacher Reference Number is a unique seven-digit identifier. You need it for National Professional Qualification surveys and to download your Department for Education certificate.
If you have forgotten your Teacher Reference Number or need to request one, including from outside England, the Teacher Reference Number Support Guide explains the retrieval and request routes and who to contact if you have a problem. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teacher-reference-number-trn