The NPQEL is an 18-month DfE-accredited qualification for current or aspiring executive school leaders responsible for multiple schools. It offers two pathways: a standalone NPQEL and an Executive Leader Programme with a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship. The program includes face-to-face events, online learning, coaching, and a summative assessment, preparing leaders for roles like trust CEO. It provides 100 Master’s credits and is delivered nationally through partner hubs.
The National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) is a Department for Education (DfE)-accredited qualification for current or aspiring executive school leaders responsible for multiple schools. It runs for 18 months and is available as a standalone qualification or alongside a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship.
Who is the NPQEL for?
The NPQEL is for leaders who are, or aspire to be, executive headteachers or trust-level executives responsible for multiple schools. This includes roles such as trust chief executive officer.
Who can apply?
Applicants should be serving headteachers, or hold an equivalent role, with at least three years’ experience. You must also nominate a sponsor who has detailed professional knowledge of your work, impact and leadership behaviours.
You can read the NPQEL qualification specification for further details.
How long does the NPQEL take?
The NPQEL runs for 18 months and includes approximately 116 guided learning hours. This includes:
- Six face-to-face events, including one two-day residential.
- 38 hours of online learning.
- Six hours of coaching for the standalone NPQEL.
Which NPQEL pathway can you choose?
There are two NPQEL pathways: the Executive Leader Programme with NPQEL and the standalone NPQEL.
Executive Leader Programme with NPQEL
This apprenticeship route includes:
- The NPQEL.
- A Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship.
- Additional monthly coaching.
- Cross-sector leadership learning.
- Access to additional leadership tools and resources.
This pathway is funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.
Standalone NPQEL
The standalone pathway leads to the NPQEL and includes online study, six hours of coaching and in-person training days. It focuses specifically on NPQEL content.
More information about both pathways is available on the NPQEL page.
How is the NPQEL structured?
The NPQEL begins with an induction and then follows four development cycles. Each cycle includes face-to-face events, online study, formative assessment tasks and coaching.
The four development cycles are followed by a summative assessment.
What will you study?
The NPQEL includes short courses and full courses.
Short courses
- School Improvement and Implementation.
- Ethical Principles and Leadership Behaviours.
Full courses
Each full course contains three modules:
- Leading Culture and Ethos: school culture, behaviour and professional development.
- Leading Teaching: teaching, curriculum and assessment, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Leading Organisational Effectiveness: organisational management, working in partnership, and governance and accountability.
Full programme content is set out in the NPQEL qualification specification.
What happens at the face-to-face events?
There are six face-to-face events across the 18-month programme. Days one and two form a residential event, with meals and a hotel provided.
The subsequent event days focus on:
- Leading Culture and Ethos.
- Leading Teaching.
- Leading Organisational Effectiveness.
- Readiness and Review.
How much coaching is included?
The standalone NPQEL includes six hours of one-to-one coaching. This consists of one hour at induction, one hour after each formative task and an impact review before the summative assessment.
The Executive Leader Programme apprenticeship route includes monthly coaching.
How is the NPQEL assessed?
The NPQEL has one summative case-study assessment. You have an eight-day window in which to submit a written response of between 1,500 and 2,500 words.
You must also meet the current minimum engagement requirement across the LDR review, face-to-face events, online practice activities, formative tasks and coaching. Check the relevant BPN website page for the current engagement percentage.
Where is the NPQEL delivered?
Face-to-face events are hosted nationally through partner teaching school hubs and multi-academy trusts. You will usually be allocated to your partner group or to a geographically convenient group, subject to viability.
What can you do after completing the NPQEL?
The NPQEL provides 100 Master’s credits that can contribute towards further study. The programme guide highlights progression to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) as one example.
Professionally, graduates often progress to executive roles such as trust chief executive officer, trust chief operating officer or executive headteacher.
How do you apply for the NPQEL?
- Discuss your goals and the intended impact of the programme with your headteacher or continuing professional development lead.
- Contact the team if you have questions, including questions about funding. npq@bestpracticenet.co.uk
- Start your application early through the NPQEL page.
- Select the relevant “Register Interest” or “Apply” option for your chosen pathway. These options are also available from the NPQEL qualification specification page.