The NPQLBC is a 12-month Department for Education-accredited qualification for teachers leading or aspiring to lead behaviour, culture, or pupil wellbeing. It includes blended learning with face-to-face events, online study, webinars, and coaching. Participants complete development cycles aligned with the DfE framework and a summative assessment. Entry requires school support, a Teacher Reference Number, two years' teaching experience, and leadership aspiration. The programme develops skills to sustain positive school culture and improve behaviour systems.
The National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) is a 12-month, Department for Education-accredited qualification. It is for teachers who lead or aspire to lead behaviour, school culture or pupil wellbeing.
What is the NPQLBC?
The NPQLBC develops the knowledge, skills and concepts you need to sustain high expectations and a positive culture across a school.
You can find programme information on the Best Practice Network NPQLBC page.
Who is the NPQLBC for?
The NPQLBC is for:
- teachers responsible for leading behaviour and culture
- teachers who support pupil wellbeing
- teachers aspiring to take on these responsibilities.
How long does the NPQLBC take?
The NPQLBC programme runs over 12 months.
How is the NPQLBC delivered?
The NPQLBC uses blended delivery through:
- three face-to-face events
- online study through Best Practice Network's Canvas virtual learning environment (VLE)
- live webinars
- coaching.
Face-to-face events are delivered locally through Best Practice Network's nationwide partner network. You will be allocated to a convenient regional group, subject to the viability of that group.
How many learning hours are involved?
The NPQLBC includes:
- three face-to-face events
- 34 hours of online learning
- five hours of coaching
- 74 guided learning hours in total.
What support will you receive?
Your Online Leadership Mentor is your main point of contact. They provide advice and feedback on your practice tasks and formative assessments.
Your school nominates an In-School Performance Coach (ISPC), who helps you apply your learning in practice.
What does the In-School Performance Coach do?
Your In-School Performance Coach holds progress-focused coaching conversations to help you apply your learning and stay on track. There are usually two to five sessions across the programme year, including an Impact Review alongside your Online Leadership Mentor.
Further details are available in the In-School Performance Coach handbook.
How is the programme structured?
After induction, you complete three development cycles aligned with the Department for Education (DfE) framework. Each cycle includes targeted study, practice tasks, a formative assessment task and coaching from your In-School Performance Coach.
See the NPQLBC qualification specification for programme details.
What will you study?
The NPQLBC curriculum covers:
- teaching foundations
- behaviour and culture
- leading behaviour systems
- building culture and ethos.
The curriculum is mapped to the NPQLBC framework's “learn that” and “learn how to” statements.
What is covered by the Department for Education framework?
The Department for Education NPQLBC framework sets out the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours for leading behaviour and culture. It covers teaching, school culture, the conditions that support good behaviour, complex behavioural needs, professional development and implementation.
Read the Department for Education NPQLBC framework.
How is the NPQLBC assessed?
To pass the NPQLBC, you must meet the required level of engagement across the programme's required elements. Check the relevant Best Practice Network programme page for the current engagement requirement.
You must also complete a summative assessment. This is a written response of no more than 1,500 words to a case-study scenario, completed over eight days.
What are the entry requirements?
To join the NPQLBC, you need:
- the support of your school or organisation, which is a Department for Education requirement
- a Teacher Reference Number (TRN)
- at least two years of teaching experience
- leadership experience or an aspiration to lead.
If you need to retrieve or obtain your Teacher Reference Number, see the relevant TRN guidance. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/teacher-reference-number-trn
What are the benefits for participants and schools?
As a participant, you develop the expertise to maintain high expectations and a positive school culture.
Your school gains a leader who can make evidence-informed decisions and evaluate and improve behaviour systems.
When can you start and how do you apply?
Check the Best Practice Network NPQLBC page for current cohort start dates and application deadlines.
Use the “Register Interest” or “Apply” button on that page to begin the process.