The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT is a 12-month dual-award program combining the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching with the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship. Designed for teachers in leadership roles, it includes face-to-face events, online learning, coaching, and practical tasks. Upon completion, participants earn both qualifications, eligibility for professional memberships, and up to 40 Master's credits. Funding is available via the Apprenticeship Levy.
The Leader Apprenticeship with National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) is a 12-month dual-award programme for teachers who lead, or aspire to lead, teaching. It combines the NPQLT with the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship through face-to-face events, online learning, coaching and activities completed in your setting.
What is the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT?
The programme maps the Department for Education’s NPQLT to the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship, allowing you to work towards both qualifications together.
It combines the evidence-informed knowledge needed to lead teaching, including curriculum, assessment and high expectations, with practical leadership and operational delivery skills for schools.
Who is the programme for?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT is designed for teachers who hold or aspire to leadership roles in a:
- subject
- year group
- key stage
- phase
It is suitable if you want to lead teaching effectively across your team or area.
What are the entry requirements?
To apply for the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT, you need:
- support from your school or organisation, confirmed by a senior leader or governor
- a Teacher Reference Number
- at least two years’ teaching experience
- leadership experience or an aspiration to lead
What will you learn?
You will develop specialised expertise in leading teaching alongside management skills that can be used across different sectors. You will apply your learning directly in your setting through practice-based tasks.
The programme blends the knowledge covered by the NPQLT with the practical leadership, project management and operational delivery skills covered by the apprenticeship.
How long does the programme take?
The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT runs for 12 months. It includes:
- three local face-to-face events
- monthly coaching
- structured online study and multimedia content through the BUD virtual learning environment
- webinars
- coached activities embedded in your role
How is the programme delivered?
The programme uses a blended learning model. The three local face-to-face events are facilitated by school leaders, while online study, multimedia content and webinars provide structured learning between events.
Regular coaching connects programme tasks to your day-to-day leadership practice.
What support will you receive?
You will receive support from:
- your sponsor in school
- an apprenticeship mentor, who combines mentoring with the NPQ in-school coaching functions
- an apprenticeship performance coach, who oversees your progress and portfolio evidence
- expert facilitators at the face-to-face events
What counts as off-the-job training?
Off-the-job training is structured learning time away from your normal duties. On the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT, it can include:
- operational planning and performance tasks
- leading people and team management activities
- personal development and reflective practice
- relationship-building and communication work
- change management and continuous improvement
- knowledge-building and research aligned with leadership and governance
How are the fees funded?
Schools that pay the Apprenticeship Levy can use funds from their Apprenticeship Service account for this programme. Government co-investment is available for employers that do not pay the levy.
Check the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT page for current fees, funding amounts, employer contributions and funding arrangements.
What is the Apprenticeship Levy?
The Apprenticeship Levy is funded by contributions from large employers and can be used to train new and existing staff. Most state-maintained schools and trusts pay into the levy and can use it to fund this programme.
Check the Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT page for the current payroll threshold and levy contribution rate.
What qualifications and recognition will you receive?
When you successfully complete the programme, you will achieve:
- the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching
- the Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship
- eligibility for membership of the Chartered Management Institute
- eligibility for membership of the Institute of Leadership and Management
You can also use up to 40 Master’s credits towards further study. Options are available for these credits to count towards a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at the University of Chester.